Fire Box Question

[mistermcbevee]

For the last 5 years, I've been using a grill that my granddad built back in 1973. Heavy 1/4" steel construction. He made this out of some pretty cool parts he had available. Dredge pipe for main chamber, bomb case lids for casters, valve springs for handle, and shaker scren for the grate. I've been wanting to turn this into a smoker for some time now. We've finally both found time to work on this. My granddad found an old camp stove that we're planning on using as a firebox. Now my big question...

If we mounted this as it sits in the photo, and elbowed the 4" chimney of the firebox into the main chamber, would I get enough heat to bring the main chamber up to 250-275? I know I would get enough smoke, but I'm a little worried about the lack of radiant heat. The only things that make me think this might work are this is 1/4" steel and the close proximity of the firebox. I don't want a cold-smoke setup. Do you guys think this might work?

Smoker 1.JPG

• mistermcbevee
• Oct 15, 2012

Smoker 2.JPG

• mistermcbevee
• Oct 15, 2012

Fire Box 2.jpg

• mistermcbevee
• Oct 15, 2012

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Honestly, I would cut the stack and some of the area around the stack and match that with the body of the smoker. Remove the shelf on the right and use the heating surface of the camp stove. I don't think you could get the high temps. you want without a bigger throat.

It's been a long time since I did any Welding , however the building masters will be here shortly and set my old tail straight.

Hang on , some of them take a bit , but you're on your way...

Oh, and Welcome to the best forum on the net...we'll help you where others won't as much...

Have fun and...

 

[daveomak]

Mcbevee, evening and welcome to the forum....   Below are links about smokers and calculations...  Use them to figure out dimensions that will work....  These links are proven to help you make the best smoker you can.....   enjoy the reading....   Dave

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

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

http://www.1728.org/circsect.htm

 

[mistermcbevee]

Thanks, guys. You may be right about it needing a bigger throat. This setup will take about an hour of cutting and welding, so I may give it a go first to see what kind of temps I get. I'm not piping this heat and smoke very far, but I'm afraid the lack of radiant heat may hurt me in the temp department.

If it doesn't work, I'll probably resort to moving the box up and attach it to the main chamber more like an offset smoker.

Just wanted to see if anyone else had seen a similar setup. I appreciate the feedback. I'll report back with my findings.

 

[rubbin butts]

As a matter of fact, I saw exactly what you have only a bigger cook chamber Saturday and he was cooking at 325*

 

[scarbelly]

Looks like it will be a fun project -

Would you please do us a favor and update your profile with your location then swing by Roll Call and introduce yourself 

 

[mistermcbevee]

Update:

Got the fire box modified and added a screw-in damper, a 4" exhaust pipe elbow, and also added a thermometer (put this on the "cool" side). I started some lump coals early Saturday morning and felt the heat as it came in the main chamber. Didn't think there was any way it would get hot enough. I put a 7 lb pork shoulder on and added some hickory chunks and took the boy to get some breakfast. Got back and she was up to 250 and headed higher! I backed it down and kept an eye one it the rest of the day and evening, adding coals and chunks. I used Meowey's Pulled Pork instructions. About 8 hours on the smoker, it hit 165. I foiled it and put it in the oven for a few hours. Took it out of the oven around 200 degrees and let it sit. Moist and tender pulled pork. I was both surprised and impressed with this new rig. Ready for another round. Thanks for everything, guys. I'm ready to try our a brisket next.

smoker.jpg

• mistermcbevee
• Nov 6, 2012

shoulder.jpg

• mistermcbevee
• Nov 6, 2012

 

[starwoods]

Awesome job! I recently did something similar to this. I had a UDS that I connected to a square firebox with 2 4-inch tubes. It works great!

IMAG0360.jpg

• starwoods
• Jan 1, 2013