Lumpy the Wood Chunk Burner,reverse flow build!

smok'n steve · Aug 1, 2008

Thanks guys.......

Solar--This one is design as I go with some limited experience and "gut" invested. I still am pretty green at this but am using a lot of common sense and some math.

And Neens--hope all is well with you:-) Yes, the paint sticks were very hot and smoking a bit, but they were just right for the job!!! LOL

Got to sleep on some ideas!

SMS

capt dan · Aug 1, 2008

Welcome back Steve, hope the camp treated ya well. Good to see the continuation of the "lumpy" project!

seboke · Aug 1, 2008

Glad ya pulled this one back out Steve! Forgot about you crafting Lumpy...

smok'n steve · Aug 2, 2008

To Seboke and the Captain, I just couldn't let lumpy go!!

Did some testing today after making a fire grate and vent stops, etc. I used some old charcoal and maple wood and got her up to 450 and down to 200. Seemed real happy at 275, 235 was also pretty easy.

I am happy with it but would like to tune down the firebox side, it was about 40 degrees warmer most of the time. This wouldn't be a big deal if it was a big lang, but since its cook'n area is only 14 to 16 inches long, I would like to nail it even---I WiLL:-)

capt dan · Aug 3, 2008

Did ya try to elevate the end opposite the firebox an inch or two. I know it won't help with fat/grease drainage, but I mess with my 60's tongue jack alot to fine tune my pit and about a half bubble uphill from level seems best for me. Thats with the level on top of the chamber, you may have yours welded in a diff. elevation.

cbucher · Aug 3, 2008

That is some excellent fab. work. I wish I had some of your skill.

smok'n steve · Aug 3, 2008

Morning Dan,

I never tried that on my Lang because honestly, I thought it was a myth!

The only thing I can think of is the flames go more to the middle if the tongue is up? Is this what you are saying, tongue up and fire box side is not so hot compared to the left side?

Shouldn't hurt my drain to bad because I intentionally welded the baffle 1/4" per foot----this may explain your theory---indirectly---since I was 40 degrees warmer on the firebox side.

Steve

bb53chevpro · Aug 3, 2008

Steve. Looks great so far. Maybe you should start making them professionally. You are one heck of a fabricator.

craig1017 · Aug 5, 2008

Great build!

I'm a first time smoker, long time welder - trying to make something similar right now. I posted some pics and questions in the "intro" section, but didn't get any answers - like how high does the grill need to be above the reverse flow plate, and the exhaust outlet level - at the grill height, just below, or just above? Then someone else suggested that a reverse flow was not a good idea on a small scale smoker, but I didn't understand why?

Not meaning to hijack your thread - but mine is similar in scale to yours, just a little larger - old 30 gallon air tank (3/16) and a 16" cube for a fire box made from 5/16 plate.

smok'n steve · Aug 6, 2008

Tanks to Cbucher and Andy:-)

to Craig, I saw pics of your build--looks pretty nice--i am going to be starting some that size in a few weeks:-)

Basically, the baffle plate on a reverse flow is usually about 2/3's the way down the diameter. You really should try to find a Lang and check it out or at the least search all the threads for langs and reverse flows, etc. The chimney does not need to go down in the smoker on a reverse flow. the grate is not usually to far from the baffle but if the baffle is tapered to the center like a lang is, then your grate might be tapered 1 " to 2 " from the baffle depending on the sizes and angles:-)

Steve

smok'n steve · Aug 6, 2008

I've done several hours of testing. Pretty happy but I have to fine tune the burn to make it a bit easier to operate. Very good results with the cook, did 8.5lbs of pork loin.

For changes, I added some steel in the firebox(see pic,weld ain't too pretty, but seems to work) and also below the baffle to even or tune the heat above. It has helped and seems good enough for me:-)

Also, I made up a food grate too:-)

bcfishman · Aug 6, 2008

Steve or anyone else out there.

I have been wanting to make my own smoker for quite some time now but haven't gotten started. I know nothing about welding but have a neighbor who does metal fabrication for a living and said he would help/allow me to use his equipment.

For a tank, I can get any size used propane tank for $35 from an undisclosed source. I could use two propane tanks (one for cooking chamber and one for fire box) but would like a beefy firebox.

Does anyone have recommendations on where to get scrap metal from? Anything to look for that would have heavy gauge metal?

Thanks ans I look forward to responses.

smok'n steve · Aug 6, 2008

to fishman----
I would ask your neighbor who does metal fab for the scraps, its your best bet because junkyards are melting it as quick as they can---steel and metals are very high$ right now:-)

shooterrick · Aug 6, 2008

If you are not familiar with handling used propane tanks do the research and take all precautions. I have seen many posts and heard through many sources about the dangers of these tanks. Be careful and good luck with your build.

I built a small smoker with my cousin out of 3/4 inch culvert material. Worked good but was pretty small. Just an idea for steel.

smok'n steve · Aug 7, 2008

Yes, Shooter, anyone interested in cutting a propane tank, should google it first, then ask a pro, and google it again!

I did some more testing for supper, did a 300 degree burn with real nice success. Charcoal and maple on top seemed to work fine. The chicken was great! Obviously though, the 300 temp wasn't hot enough to crisp the skin, but plenty moist and absolutely no flare-ups with reverse flow!

I will eventually try to do some more chicken at a 450 grilling temp just for the fun of it!

rickandtaz · Aug 7, 2008

Looks like Lumpy is going to be another great smoker!

BCfishman: Try Bell Metals on US1 in Melbourne. They are a bit expensive but, that's where I buy steel I can't find for free.

smok'n steve · Aug 14, 2008

Removed some paint today. Lumpy was a bit anxious over the whole process, but I assured him he would soon have a nice black finish:-)

Also, I installed a new latch design to hold the door shut, its simply a t-handle with 1/4-20 threads that screw into the main tank holding the door. There is a dual purpose for this latch, if it is screwed in before the door is closed, then it will hold the door open for grilling and start-ups for better airflow.

Also, I have made the chimney removable for now, notice the set screw inside that clamps it in place. I am not sure if lumpy will be shipped, so I want to reduce the bulky-ness just in case.

All that is left is to devise a stand or even some small feet so that Lumpy can be a table top Smoker. Maybe an upper cook grate too, and maybe propane, but I am trying to keep costs down:-)

capt dan · Aug 14, 2008

looking great steve! I like the adjustable chimney too. Might work good to lower it farther into the chamber for foods that cook faster like chicken, and let them bath in the smoke a lil bit longer, especially if ya get em going at 400 degrees.

Won't let me give ya points or I would. You continue to impress! Have ya ever thought about a grilling grate on top of the firebox. Not open to the fire, but a recessed area that a grate could fit over the top, would catch drippings and fat, but send enough hot heat to grill foods?

smok'n steve · Aug 14, 2008

2 really good ideas there Dan:-)

Honestly, I never thought of the adjustment on the chimney for tweeking smoke, but thats a really good idea. It makes sense to me like you said, at high temps, it would slow the smoke a bit---cool!

The grill grate over the firebox might work too, I know I fried some bacon in a cast iron pan the other day. I think what you are saying is to make a grease drain under the grate sort of like your warmer has? Maybe I will just experiment with a grate only first to see how the heat works. I bet stainless would be nice since its exposed.

Lumpy's firebox is big enough to support a nice little grill grate too

capt dan · Aug 15, 2008

Thats exactly what I am sayin, the drain like the warmer would be perfect.

Lumpy the Wood Chunk Burner,reverse flow build!

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