Hi All. I am starting an offset smoker build out of a 150 gallon propane tank for the cook chamber and a 80 gallon propane tank for the firebox. I finally got the second tank today so now it is design time. This is my first smoker build. I am planning on designing this whole build in CAD before I even start building. Got to keep busy during this Shelter-In-Place. Plus I want to make sure that I get a full materials list before I start building so I can order all the material at once and only have one delivery. I really like the one that 45 acp did back in 2013 (here is the link). Post #19 shows the final build. I am also gearing towards an Aaron Franklins style cooker so you will see some stuff that resembles the way he builds.
Cook Chamber 150 Gallon Tank Dimensions:
84" Long X 24" wide
Firebox 80 Gallong Tank Dimensions:
64" Long X 20" wide
Im planning to cut both ends off of both of the tanks and weld flat plate to the ends. Im planning to cut the cook chamber down to 60" long and the firebox down to 30". I am also wanting to make the firebox oblong vertically so I am planning on cutting the firebox horizontally in half and welding 6" flat bar in to make it oval. This would give me a cook chamber of about 15.6 cu.ft. and a firebox of about 7.6 cu.ft. FYI, I am aware of Feldon's BBQ Pit Builder Calculator. I plan on putting it on casters like 45 acp did and not on a trailer like most people do.
I do have quite a bit of questions though. Here are some in no particular order:
1) Why does everyone start with cutting the doors first? I would think to marry the two chambers first and then build the legs before cutting the doors.
2) Gauges mounted on the door or mounted on the chamber itself and why?
3) Tuning Plates. How big should tuning plates be. How far above the firebox opening and below the grill grates should the plates be? Does there need to be a baffle from the firebox to the cook chamber if there are tuning plates. Cant you just push the first tuning plate all the way up against the side of the chamber and that act like a baffle?
4) How big should a firebox door be? I'm not talking about the air intake opening I'm talking about the door itself that you would open to add more wood. Is there such thing as too big of a door?
5) What is a good/average grill height? Im meaning the height from the ground to the bottom grill rack.
6) How big of a shelf do you guys like? How deep? How far below the door is a good location so that the door does not hit something sitting on the shelf?
7) Chimney Size preferences? I was thinking 6" pipe. What do you guys recommend/like?
8) Is there such thing as too big of an opening from the firebox to the cook chamber.
This is what I have in mind so far.
I will likely have a lot more questions so get ready. Thanks for all of the help in advance.
Cook Chamber 150 Gallon Tank Dimensions:
84" Long X 24" wide
Firebox 80 Gallong Tank Dimensions:
64" Long X 20" wide
Im planning to cut both ends off of both of the tanks and weld flat plate to the ends. Im planning to cut the cook chamber down to 60" long and the firebox down to 30". I am also wanting to make the firebox oblong vertically so I am planning on cutting the firebox horizontally in half and welding 6" flat bar in to make it oval. This would give me a cook chamber of about 15.6 cu.ft. and a firebox of about 7.6 cu.ft. FYI, I am aware of Feldon's BBQ Pit Builder Calculator. I plan on putting it on casters like 45 acp did and not on a trailer like most people do.
I do have quite a bit of questions though. Here are some in no particular order:
1) Why does everyone start with cutting the doors first? I would think to marry the two chambers first and then build the legs before cutting the doors.
2) Gauges mounted on the door or mounted on the chamber itself and why?
3) Tuning Plates. How big should tuning plates be. How far above the firebox opening and below the grill grates should the plates be? Does there need to be a baffle from the firebox to the cook chamber if there are tuning plates. Cant you just push the first tuning plate all the way up against the side of the chamber and that act like a baffle?
4) How big should a firebox door be? I'm not talking about the air intake opening I'm talking about the door itself that you would open to add more wood. Is there such thing as too big of a door?
5) What is a good/average grill height? Im meaning the height from the ground to the bottom grill rack.
6) How big of a shelf do you guys like? How deep? How far below the door is a good location so that the door does not hit something sitting on the shelf?
7) Chimney Size preferences? I was thinking 6" pipe. What do you guys recommend/like?
8) Is there such thing as too big of an opening from the firebox to the cook chamber.
This is what I have in mind so far.
I will likely have a lot more questions so get ready. Thanks for all of the help in advance.