Started in Roll Call, moving here because of suggestions and logically makes since to do so. Building a vertical smoker. I want to replicate a fair bit of this guys build.
I want to make a rotisserie, so I assume this is the place to post this.I am using a 1000 gallon propane tank that has had the middle cut out of it. (long story, but its what i have) Putting the ends back together it measures roughly 8 foot end to end. I have the door roughly cut out and hinges started. I am about to the point I am going to have to pick it up and put the fire box and an axle under it. I do not have all the details worked out, and am looking for help. I am sure I will need lots of help! In the project, I am trying to teach my 13 YO son welding, so there will be a LOT of grinding! I also have a LOT to learn and do not consider myself a great fabricator, but I can get the job done. I want to build this because we are a growing family. Family reunions are starting to come into discussion. I am the oldest of 6 and I love good food, I just dont love baby sitting the food.
Here is what I need help with and or what I am thinking...
1. I could not find a way to know if my firebox would be big enough. The calculators I could find were for reverse flow smokers. Vertical smokers do not seem to have much info. I have an old 21 inch 3/8 thick culvert I thought I would use for the firebox. I will insulate and cover with a larger pipe. I am thinking of making a cook top on a portion of it. I do not know how long to make this firebox. I also want to set up a temperature controller to control a blower fan on the firebox. I have seen a few tutorials posted on this. Seems strait forward. Plan on pointing the door to the back of the build. My thoughts on this are to give me more "counter/prep" space and be out of the way of working with the meat in the smoker.
2. I plan on putting a water tank in the bottom. I know my build will not be prefect and will benefit from this. Wondering if this can also help be a heat deflector/ equalizer.
3. Will catch the drippings. thinking I can port them out the bottom somehow. Have not put a lot of thought into this yet.
4. The shelves will be build with sq tube to simplify. but will attach much the same way
5. I have a rough idea on how to make the rotisserie portion. I plan on using a worm gear they use in chicken houses to raise feed lines. This will be on the outside of the build and I can run a simple 90 Degree gear "box" inside(still to work out).
6. The smoke stack at the center top. I have looked at everything i could find on here, and that seems to be the way to go. Question would be, 6 inch or 8? It will have a damper.
7. Planing on a single axle and have thought about shortening the width down to make it more compact. Given the vertical on this, I want to make sure it is not tipsy though, so I am not sure yet on that.
I am probably forgetting some things, but I better post this before something happens :D.
I am open to suggestions, ideas, and all input. I am in the very beginning, but trying to work on it as much as time allows. Some times it seems to speed by and I am surprised at what has been done, while at other times it is slow and frustrating (like making HEAVY DUTY hinges!).
I have thought about drawing it out, but I am a perfectionist and have a hard time drawing what i want it to look like. I have tried to sketchup the model, but getting the little details takes forever - not great at that sketchup! I can try to draw something out if needed though.
The guy in the youtube link has two videos and mostly covers the same material, but shows a few extra tid bits of info in the other video he has.
I look forward to your thoughts and prayers!
I want to make a rotisserie, so I assume this is the place to post this.I am using a 1000 gallon propane tank that has had the middle cut out of it. (long story, but its what i have) Putting the ends back together it measures roughly 8 foot end to end. I have the door roughly cut out and hinges started. I am about to the point I am going to have to pick it up and put the fire box and an axle under it. I do not have all the details worked out, and am looking for help. I am sure I will need lots of help! In the project, I am trying to teach my 13 YO son welding, so there will be a LOT of grinding! I also have a LOT to learn and do not consider myself a great fabricator, but I can get the job done. I want to build this because we are a growing family. Family reunions are starting to come into discussion. I am the oldest of 6 and I love good food, I just dont love baby sitting the food.
Here is what I need help with and or what I am thinking...
1. I could not find a way to know if my firebox would be big enough. The calculators I could find were for reverse flow smokers. Vertical smokers do not seem to have much info. I have an old 21 inch 3/8 thick culvert I thought I would use for the firebox. I will insulate and cover with a larger pipe. I am thinking of making a cook top on a portion of it. I do not know how long to make this firebox. I also want to set up a temperature controller to control a blower fan on the firebox. I have seen a few tutorials posted on this. Seems strait forward. Plan on pointing the door to the back of the build. My thoughts on this are to give me more "counter/prep" space and be out of the way of working with the meat in the smoker.
2. I plan on putting a water tank in the bottom. I know my build will not be prefect and will benefit from this. Wondering if this can also help be a heat deflector/ equalizer.
3. Will catch the drippings. thinking I can port them out the bottom somehow. Have not put a lot of thought into this yet.
4. The shelves will be build with sq tube to simplify. but will attach much the same way
5. I have a rough idea on how to make the rotisserie portion. I plan on using a worm gear they use in chicken houses to raise feed lines. This will be on the outside of the build and I can run a simple 90 Degree gear "box" inside(still to work out).
6. The smoke stack at the center top. I have looked at everything i could find on here, and that seems to be the way to go. Question would be, 6 inch or 8? It will have a damper.
7. Planing on a single axle and have thought about shortening the width down to make it more compact. Given the vertical on this, I want to make sure it is not tipsy though, so I am not sure yet on that.
I am probably forgetting some things, but I better post this before something happens :D.
I am open to suggestions, ideas, and all input. I am in the very beginning, but trying to work on it as much as time allows. Some times it seems to speed by and I am surprised at what has been done, while at other times it is slow and frustrating (like making HEAVY DUTY hinges!).
I have thought about drawing it out, but I am a perfectionist and have a hard time drawing what i want it to look like. I have tried to sketchup the model, but getting the little details takes forever - not great at that sketchup! I can try to draw something out if needed though.
The guy in the youtube link has two videos and mostly covers the same material, but shows a few extra tid bits of info in the other video he has.
I look forward to your thoughts and prayers!
