Darb's first smoker build

[darbinco]

I have a couple questions regarding my build. Heres the tank I'm starting with. Its 20" dia and about 63 or so inches long. I think its close to 80 gallons or so. Im thinking a single door would suit it best. I was also thinking about just leaving the feet on it then welding the legs onto those. Why cut them off just to put on something different... it would be simple too, just 4 equal lengths of pipe for legs. 

Heres the proposed back side of the smoke chamber

I would like to cut the door in on this side as its cleaner with less bungs welded into the tank itself. Is there an issue with cutting the bottom edge of the door along the welded seam? In other words is there more stress in the tank along this horizontal weld that would cause the door to bow badly once its cut? I can do something different if this is going to be a problem. 

I'll take any tips and advise along the way! 

I got the pics worked out too. 

 

[daveomak]

Darbin, evening and welcome to the forum....  About the smoker... Are you building a reverse flow ???   I would suggest, that is a very good design to go with....    

About the seam.... Figure out what you are building.... where all the pieces will go....  Stack, firebox, reverse flow plate or tuning plates, number and size of racks, hinges, handles etc......   Draw all of it on the tank before you cut..... have a beverage and look at the drawings.... think about it for a week and then cut...

Here are some ideas to look at... Read all the pages in this thread... It has some great ideas that should be considered...  There are a few designs in the thread, and theory about different smokers to consider.....  

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/54542/building-an-italian-offset-smoker/20

here is a calculator that will help you design the critical elements of a good smoker.... It is pretty straight forward.... If you need assistance with it, when you start the build, start a thread and there will be plenty of help to get you through the build....  also you can PM me and I will find you help with your build...... 

http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html

Any more questions ???   We are here to help...  Dave

 

[darbinco]

Thanks Dave for the reply. 

I across those two links you posted about a week ago, I have them both bookmarked in my favorites.

Yes, reverse flow and I have it drawn... kinda..... parts of it anyways. I did find a couple builds of a very similar size tanks so I'll be working off those too.  

I'll be picking up my firebox material today, hinges etc. So I can get started on this as soon as I make it home after work today. About the only thing thats changed is Im considering making a permenant base for it out of block in my backyard and just setting it there. I don't plan on going anywhere with it anyways.     

 

[daveomak]

Darbin, you might consider making it portable....  When folks taste your Q, they will want more....   making it portable will allow you to take it to their homes for some of the parties.. 

.... Just trying to think ahead.....   

 

[gatewood iron]

Hey Darbin, one thing to take into consideration when cutting the door is that it's probably going to spring a bit. I know by my own exsperience. I have a pic of one I did on my profile page in my default album. The springing isn't a very big deal but it could leak a bit if steps aren't taken. When I build a tank smoker, I always put seals on the inside and out. Usually 11gauge. It's strong and stiff but flexible if it's not cut to wide. I cut mine about 1 1/2 wide. Any thicker metal will be harder to work with. And Dave is right. Portable is better. That sucker will be heavy and hard to move when you're done. Let me know if I can help any. good luck.

 

[darbinco]

Thanks for the tips Gatewood.

I need to get some updated pics up. I have the door cut in and hinges installed, it didnt get out of shape to bad at all. I was pleasently surprised. I have the firebox welded to the chamber. I need to complete the welding on the FB and finish the door for it. I kinda got a head of myself and didn't cut the vents before I put the box on the chamber. Just be a bit harder now that's all.

It's coming along nicely but I'm going to have to back off this week. I have a 5 day motorcycle trip thru southern Utah starting next Saturday and work this week piled ontop of this project has taken a toll on my back. I have some stuff to finish with the torch tomorrow and I think that will be it until I get back. I'll get a picture up tomorrow of the progress.

 

[gatewood iron]

have a good safe trip. it's nice out that way. lookin forward to the new pics.

 

[darbinco]

Well the motorcycle trip never happened, I pretty much nuked my lower back a week ago tuesday afternoon. Ive been on some pretty good drugs since then and spent at least a couple hundred in chiropractor appointments and other doctor bills. I was able to tie my own shoes for the first time today! WaaaHoooo things are looking up!

Anyways,

Heres a few pics of the smoker build as it sits right now. Havnt touched it in over a week but I'm going to be buying some steel tomorrow incase I feel like I can get to it this weekend. I need to get the RF plate in and start work on some grates for the food, put up the stack and finish the firebox. Im getting excited to finish this thing.  

 

[gatewood iron]

EXCELLENT work Darb.

 

[jrod62]

Looks great so far. .
Thumbs Up

 

[southernsausage]

That looks really nice! good luck with your back pain.

 

[darbinco]

Thanks for the nice comments guys. Hopefully I'll be getting back to work on this thing fairly soon. I'm heading to a specialist for the back later this week after a small set back with recovery this last weekend. The wife pretty much told me so...apparently she doesn't like having to help me put my shoes on.

I might have to teach her to weld just to get this thing done:biggrin:

 

[darbinco]

Well I got out today and got the RF plate installed. Going to try and get some more done in the next few days between appointments. Going to start on the expanded metal racks next. I would have today as I was willing but my lower back said no way!

I'll get a few more pics up when you can actually see some progress.

 

[darbinco]

Well that back problem ended up being a bulged disk. I could tell ya about it but i'll save you all the agony! Been getting around pretty good the last few weeks and got back to the smoker build. I pretty much got it ready for the back yard minus the paint. The smoke is from the burn in I did on it. Sprayed it all down with vegetable oil inside when it got hot, smelled kinda like popcorn!  

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• darbinco
• Aug 10, 2012

Time to build the base. I used masonry block in a dry stack fashion. I set the first row below grade in a bed of concrete. I also used bond block and ran horizontal rebar, to be on the safe side it also got bar and concrete in all the vertical cells and another bond course second from the top! LOL!! It looks a little ify but I pitty the man who may decide to tear this out when I'm gone from this earth! He's gonna have a hellofa time of it. 

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• darbinco
• Aug 10, 2012

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• darbinco
• Aug 10, 2012

I used a lightweight ATV trailer to get the smoker into the back yard, crumpled the poor thing, this smoker is stout! Probably near 400+ pounds. We slid it on the stand with the help of a floor jack and some plywood. I had some help and everyone was amazed as to how well it went. Id been thinking about the day for a long time while my back was healing up, I knew it wasn't going to be difficult. 

Here she sets. All painted up and ready for tomorrow. I have two pork butts and a couple racks of ribs going on it about mid morning! Flower pots...... courtesy of the better half, actually they were there before this all started, just moved a bit! 

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• darbinco
• Aug 10, 2012

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• darbinco
• Aug 10, 2012

Over all I'm pretty happy the way it came out. I need to thank all the help and past posters of this forum. Without reading past posts and learning tips and seeing pictures this thing would have been a disaster! 

Thanks again! 

Darb

 

[darbinco]

Pork butts are on. 

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• darbinco
• Aug 11, 2012

 

[gatewood iron]

Very impressive Darb. I'm inspired once again.

 

[hickory larry]

I am inspired as well trying right now to get that very same tank ! Do you have any pics of the inside? Firebox as well as cook box? Looks very nice by the way good job!

 

[darbinco]

This is what I have for inside pics. I used a couple pieces of angle on the sides of the tank to rest the racks on. 

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• darbinco
• Aug 11, 2012

I would get more for your viewing pleasure but its in use right now! 

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• darbinco
• Aug 11, 2012

 

[darbinco]

 

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• darbinco
• Aug 11, 2012

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• darbinco
• Aug 11, 2012

Got them all under wraps now! basting away in their own juices along with some other stuff like apple juice, brown sugar etc! Gonna be eating good tonight! 

 

[gent]

I'd be interested in any of the dimensions you used.  I believe I have the exact same tank.  I've cut my door and welded hinges; removed all the extra fittings but that's about as far as I've gotten.   Mainly gathering resources to build the fire-box next I think.  What size pipe you use for your flume?  I've used a bbq calc to get me a rough idea but so many things are interchangeable and well quite frankly the wife and I like the way yours turned out.