1/2" thick smoker box

[philbilly bbq]

I am building a trailer smoker and am using 24" steel pipe . I was going to use 1/4" carbon steel but my buddy found me an eight foot long piece (not used) for free. The difference is that's it's 1/2" thick. Is there any down side to being this thick?

 

[maple sticks]

Takes longer to heat. Holds the heat longer. Weight of the door. Great find.

 

[daveomak]

Consider making the door out of 1/4".... or use a 12 v hydraulic pump and cylinders on the door....

 

[maple sticks]

You can use counter weight on the door as most people do.

As in my avatar picture.

 

[morning wood]

I used 20" diameter 1/2 wall pipe in my build.  So far i am very happy but i haven't figured it all out yet.  It does take along time to get them to temp and they do hold temp for along time after you shut them down.  My doors are roughly 16" x 36" and weigh around 75lbs.

If you don't already know:

24"Ø 1/2 wall pipe weighs 125.50 lbs per foot.  (Your 8'-0 piece weighs 1004 lbs) 

1/2 think material weighs 20.42 lbs per square foot.

Just a little food for thought.