160ish gallon RF smoker #1 of 4

[duck killer 1]

Well I've made some progress the last couple of days on the first of my 4 RF builds I'm doing right now. This first pic is of 3 of the tanks I found recently. 

I am using the tank on the right for this build. It's dimensions are 68" long by 26" dia. the firebox is 24"x 24"x21" tall. i am using 4" pipe for my stack since i didn't have any 6" on hand. 

this is a pic of the tank after i cut the opening for the lid and the fire box. i had to make some patches for the bung holes and clean out the tank with a wire wheel.

this is a pic of the baffle plate. i made it in 2 pieces so it would be easier to install it.

this is a pic of the first section of baffle plate dry fit and tacked in place. i put a slight pitch on it from left (high) to right (low). 

this is a pic of the end of the baffle plate. i put a little more pitch on it toward the end of it and installed the 1-1/2" drain. i curved the end of the baffle plate for 2 reasons. 1- it would make a more even opening in the end since the end of the tank was already curved and 2- so i would be able to channel the drippings to the drain.  

this is a pic of the gap at the end of the plate.

a look underneath the plate.

a look at the fire box opening.

the fire box with the opening cut.

this is a pic of a buddy of mine cutting the hole for the firebox door. let me tell ya this is one mean saw! i've never seen anything like it. it is called a "metal devil". it looks just like a skil saw for cutting wood and even has a blade just like a skil saw but it is for cutting steel. the steel i used for my firebox is 1/4" and it cut it like butter! here is a link to a video i took of it in action.

this is the finished product. it took no time at all.

the firebox attached.

the only way to weld the bottom of the firebox connection!

fitting the stack

wow! my shop is a mess! LOL! notice the future UDS drums in the background.

Next is the lid, the cooking grates, the firebox door and drawer, and oh yeah, something to stand it up on!

 

[sawruff]

damn i thought i was on a roll with builds did a big one then a mini one and now what i call my littler bigger one  

i have trailer build coming has well

 that is looking good   kept the pic coming   man 

 

[sawruff]

what do u sell these thing or do it for fun

 

[danielh]

Looks fantastic thus far.  Cant wait to see them done.

Are you reselling?  Or do you really just like smoked food?  haha

 

[walle]

Duck Killer/RF Fabricator!

Very nice man!  I love everything about this, from the spot on firebox fitting, to the raising is big o'l self up in the air with your fork lift! 

THAT's what I'm talk'n bout!

 

[bayouchilehead]

Your doing an awesome job there Duck Killer!! Keep the pics and progress flowing.

 

[diesel]

Great job man!  I envy the nice shop you have.  I just finished a RF build and did it outside.  It is nice to have the right tools for the job.  I to would like to know, are you planning to sell the builds?  I have several people in my area that are interested in one after I showed them my build.  I may look into it.  Seems to be a market for them now.

 

[matts]

Great job so far, looking forward to see the progress.

 

[pineywoods]

Wow looks great so far and some really nice equipment and space to build them too!!!!

 

[duck killer 1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawruff  


what do u sell these thing or do it for fun

I just love building them! so far if someone asks me this question i typically answer them by saying "sure, I'll sell it, but i want to cook on it at least once before i let it go." 

But to answer the question, I do it for fun mostly. If someone likes it and is interested, shoot me a PM and we can talk.

 

[matts]

I am with you dk, I love the whole fab part.  I am already planning my next build.  If someone wants to buy the one I am building now and I can come out ahead on the deal, then it's all theirs.  I will just build another one.  The wife won't care for that idea, but I am all for it.

 

[controlfade]

looking sweet DK!

 

[sawruff]

im   with u on that to i'm liking the builds  i got a trailer build to do  but the wife is getting sick of the smell the metal all over   but i got over it already   its fun for me   kept the pic coming man

 

[tom37]

Awesome job duck,

Sawruff, my wife absolutely hates the smell from the plasma cutter. Before I started building with steel, she would look at a house and say  (I could settle for that house). Now she looks for houses that have a detached large garage or barn before she says she could live with it. LOL..... Lucky for me I think.

 

[ricky b]

Thanks for the pictures and the thread. Not trying to hijack your thread but when you put in the baffle plate in and run it all the way to the other end how does the smoke get up to the meat. It looks like it would be cut off and the fire would have a hard time drawing air. Never built one but curious as to how this works. Thanks Rick   

 

[duck killer 1]

Thanks for the pictures and the thread. Not trying to hijack your thread but when you put in the baffle plate in and run it all the way to the other end how does the smoke get up to the meat. It looks like it would be cut off and the fire would have a hard time drawing air. Never built one but curious as to how this works. Thanks Rick 

this is a drawing someone with drawing skills better than mine drew up that i think will be helpful. if you notice the firebox side of the baffle plate is closed in but the opposite end is open.

hope this helps!

 

[harryho]

Thanks for the pictures and the thread. Not trying to hijack your thread but when you put in the baffle plate in and run it all the way to the other end how does the smoke get up to the meat. It looks like it would be cut off and the fire would have a hard time drawing air. Never built one but curious as to how this works. Thanks Rick   

Hi Rick...........the design is what makes it a Reverse-Flow smoker.

The illustration above shows the smoke flow and I have read nothing but great things about the design.

Duck-man..............that monstrosity is coming along really good. I can only dream of making myself one of those!

Are you looking at mounting it on a trailer? I hope so.

 

[duck killer 1]

Hi Rick...........the design is what makes it a Reverse-Flow smoker.

The illustration above shows the smoke flow and I have read nothing but great things about the design.

Duck-man..............that monstrosity is coming along really good. I can only dream of making myself one of those!

Are you looking at mounting it on a trailer? I hope so.

I have decided i am going to. so now all i have to do is come up with the trailer gear. I did however come up with the sweetest stainless steel table to use! i will mount it on the trailer and i will try to make a competition/ event trailer out of it. We'll see what i find for it!. 
 

 

[ricky b]

Thanks duck killer 1. I went back and looked at the pictures again and I see where you left a 4.5 inch gap at the end where drain pipe is. That makes since to me now. I have a home build that my cousin did for me and I'm going to have it changed to a reverse flow. Thanks for the information and pictures. Rick 

 

[bigmatt]

AWESOME BUILD!  I and many others can already tell this thing is going to be sweet.

I like the forklift idea so that you don't have to be on the floor to weld it up.  Nice work Duck!