Here it is, my new custom built gasser :)

[bryonstuder]

OK, just brought home my new smoker. My nephew in Iowa City built it (hence the name "Hawkeye Special" - he thought a guy from Alabama ought to have that

)

The smoke box is 48" high x about 22" wide and deep. Contruction is of 14 ga bent steel for the box, 12 ga for the top and door and 1/4" plate for bottom. There are 4 adjustable, food grade, stainless steel shelves not including the bottom one. It uses a 35,000 BTU, low pressure, burner called "the Big Burtha". It is removable from the bottom and has a click auto start

. Test runs in warm temps (above 40) it's temp range is steady 190 to about 400 degrees. There are two doors, one to access the smoke box, one to get to the water pan, wood box and burner. There are clasps to seal the doors shut. It has wheels and a handle to help move this pig if needed

. There is a flip down shelf off one side to have a place to set things like tongs, thermometers etc. I still have to put the dial thermometers in and season it...but plan to do a butt this weekend

.

Comments and hints are welcome...I know there are some things to fine tune - he built one for himself as well and has been pretty successful using it. I think it is pretty good comparing it to the build of many of the cheaper store bought units...he is even thinking of building some of these for sale...any idea what it would be worth?

 

[placebo]

bout a hundred bucks, I'll take 3 please.

Nice looking gas rig

The few questions that come to mind for me are: Have you measured temps throughout the smoker for consistency? If so are there any hot spots that may be remedied with some type of a baffle? Any adjustable vents?

Thanks for sharing and have fun with your new toy! Looking forward to the Qview.

 

[ciolli]

Dang that thing is sweet. Make sure to show us some Qview from your first smoke on this beast!

 

[Dutch]

Nice looking gasser. I really like how the nephew set up that drop leaf shelf-set it up when you need it-drop down when you don't.

Is the aluminum pan for catching the drippings from above or for the wood chips/chunks? I think that you'll need something heavier than that for a burn pan-aluminum will break down and crumble away over time when exposed to direct heat. My suggestion would be to place the aluminum pan on the bottom of the cook chamber and then use a heavy steel or cast iron pan in the bottom above the burner for the wood. Just my $.02

It looks like the shelves are welded in. You might want to make some racks that will slide in and out as it will make loading and unloading that smoker alot easier.

 

[nwdave]

Now that is one fine looking smoker. Why, I think I have a similar burner floating around here somewhere.....h-m-m-m-m.

 

[waysideranch]

Nice build. ........

 

[beer-b-q]

Nice looking build. keep us updated on any mods and how it works for you...

 

[acemakr]

It's huge - aren't you just a little bit intimidated?

Looks like enough capacity for a small town.

 

[bryonstuder]

Thanks for all the comments...I am pretty excited. I also got a pickup load of applewood from my brother-in-law

in Minnesota. Had to drop half of it with Nephew to have room to load the smoker. Glad I did that road trip last weekend...and missed the snow.

here are some replys;

Yeah it is kinda big, but the "price" wouldn't change on the size. Go big or go home - right?

That aluminum pan is just the water pan, I'll be using a cast iron skillet or something comparable for the "wood box".

The shelves have welded in angle iron that the shelf sits on...the shelf itself is removable to allow different sized produce to be used...and to make it easier to add and remove items. In fact, all of it can be removed if needed for cleaning.

I will definately be checking the internal temp to check for hot spots. I have a few of the round metal thermometers...and I have a ET-73 on my Christmas wish list...

 

[thunderdome]

Looks legit.

Let's see some pics when you get some meat on there

 

[fire it up]

Very nice! You're sure to pump out some good food on that.

 

[iamaxxer]

Looks like a rig that I might be interested in if he starts building.....If you were to pull the racks how tall is the inner dimension of the smoke box(for hanging sausage)?
It looks like the racks are welded in? I would like them to be removable..for what it's worth...

 

[bryonstuder]

Hi, the racks are all removable (the angle is welded in, but the racks just sit on the agle iron slides). Infact on one of his other smokers he did the hooks across the top to hang suff as well. The total box is 48" tall, take away the foot or so for the bottom burner chamber and that leaves about 36" - give or take. I can get more accurate measurements when I get home today. Thanks

 

[bbrock]

Very nice job..

 

[alx]

I like that alot...I wanna buil something similiar and can fabricate/weld anything....

 

[mballi3011]

Very nice build for sure. You did a great job except it's empty. But I'm sure you will fix that one soon enough.

 

[iamaxxer]

Size is right and removable racks a big plus and my son only lives 45 mins from Iowa city..

 

[chefrob]

very nice build.....i like a cabinet style for many different applications.

 

[pops6927]

what element/controller are you using, what did it cost, etc?

 

[bryonstuder]

Hi, the burner we used is this one ...
http://www.amazon.com/Big-Bertha-Pro.../dp/B000W8JNLC

It went up in price... We paid like $40 plus shipping for each one. I think if you goe to the main company site (not Amazon) it might be less. Nice burner....

Try, http://www.savezoneusa.com/shop/step1.php?number=609


BTW... just finished the seasoning with spay oil and hickory / apple wood for about 2.5 hours...

Butt in the fridge now :))