Dream Build

[cam-b-q]

I am looking to do a build from the ground up.  I want  to do a reverse flow, but not out of a tank, I am thinking of  a octagon shape cooking chamber with square firebox.  I played with the BBQ Pit Building Calculator and kind of know what size I want, just have a few questions,

1) What thickness of steel should be used for the firebox, cook chamber, and drip pan?

2) What is a good size of smoker for home use? (I have an ECB now so not sure how that relates to an offset)

3) I have noticed that the offsets sold in the big box stores have a door in the top of the firebox to load charcoal and most custom pits        don't. This seems to make a large place for smoke to leak, but is that handy?

Not sure when I will be able to start this build, but want to have all my research beforehand, so I only have to build one.

Any help will be very helpful.

Cam

 

[ribwizzard]

Just my opinions, and like farts, I have loads of'em,

But I built a octagon shaped smoker out of stainless years ago and did not like it.

But as far as thickness , I would go with the following , thinking best durability with out making way to heavy.

Firebox=1/4"

Cooking chamber=3/16"

Drip pan=3/16"

Put no openings on top of the firebox.

Here is my current build in process.

 

[ribwizzard]

Propane tanks can make nice looking smokers if you take the time to do them right. I added 12" to the mid-section to give me more cooking area.

 

[cam-b-q]

Just my opinions, and like farts, I have loads of'em,

But I built a octagon shaped smoker out of stainless years ago and did not like it.

But as far as thickness , I would go with the following , thinking best durability with out making way to heavy.

Firebox=1/4"

Cooking chamber=3/16"

Drip pan=3/16"

Put no openings on top of the firebox.

Here is my current build in process.

What didn't you like about the oct shape?

 

[rubbin butts]

I built this octagon with a rotisserie and I love it. Octagon firebox and cooking chamber.

100_1005.jpg

• rubbin butts
• Aug 22, 2012

 

[ribwizzard]

Ok, a big smoker like that is a different story. The octagon I built was for my patio and was about 20" deep and 40 inches long.

What didnt I like? The Lid. Once I fabricated the octagon shape, I realized that I limited myself on how big and where I could place the door. With a cylinder shape, you can put it anywhere you want to. I ended up with a lid more like a BBQ grill rather than a door like a smoker, and thats not what I wanted.

I just feel that the effort I put into the octagon shape was a waste of time, and was always dissapointed with how it turned out.