Hey guys need some help on a first time build.

[buffsbbq]

Hey guys,

I am new to the smoking game and I wanted to build my first smoker. I have acquired some materials and I am about to start assembling it soon. Hopefully have it for my July 4Th cook out. I need some advice from you experienced guys. I am currently going to use a wood stove as my fire box. One it was free and two I think it would hold heat better than another barrel. 

As another member mentioned it would be cool to make the top of the stove a flat top cooker/ grill. Should I try and find a cast iron plate to go on top or just clean up the surface and try to us that? 

Also I am going to use a 55 gallon barrel as my cooking chamber.

I have burned my barrel out for over 4 hours and I going to sandblast the entire barrel and coat the outside with a heat paint. Outside only. I am planning on building a frame to hold the barrel. 

This is just a rough design I have been thinking about. My biggest questions are how many inlets should I put in. In the drawing I have two shown to hopefully give me a more even heat. Is that necessary? Also I was planning on putting dampers on the inlet pipes to maybe control the smoke/ heat. Also how many exhaust pipes should I use? Do I need dampers on those as well? 

And one final question what is the best material for the grates/ cooking surface? I have some ideas and a few materials I may use but I wasn't sure if anyone had any better suggestions? 

Am i on the right track or do I need to rethink my process? The nice part I have acquired most of my materials for free. I may have only put about 60 bucks in so far. I am wanting to stay as low budget as possible and make a smoker that is effective. 

Thanks for all your help.

Buff

 

[daveomak]

Buff, morning..... here are some suggestions for you to think about.....

As another member mentioned it would be cool to make the top of the stove a flat top cooker/ grill. Should I try and find a cast iron plate to go on top or just clean up the surface and try to us that?......  Sand and oil with vegetable oil as you would a cast iron frying pan.... that will work very well as a griddle.....

55 gal need a firebox of 4235 cu in...  Your stove should work well.. It should already have an air inlet....

4" stack needs to be 18" tall (to the cold)

firebox air inlet needs to be 14 sq. in.....  You may try what is already there before you enlarge the air inlet....

firebox to cook chamber needs to be 36 sq. in....  A 7" pipe will fill that need......

You could make it a reverse flow... Inlet and stack on the same end.... leave 3" on the end of the RF plate for air flow..... Bolt angle iron to the drum on the sides and end and set the RF plate (10 gauge steel) on the angle... If needed you can set a pan on the RF plate with water in it for moisture....   Expanded steel is a great material for putting the food on... weld it to a frame so you can slide in and out or bolt the frame to the drum....

Take pics of your build.... we love pics.... and don't hesitate to ask if you have any  more questions.....  Dave

 

[ribwizzard]

I would do it more like this, that way you can load wood and food all from the front, and make it like a reverse flow.

 

[gatewood iron]

i can't wait to see it finnished. the old stove is a great idea.

 

[buffsbbq]

Well guys I have had to put the project on hold for almost a year now. I have been very discouraged since it has been so long. But I am hoping to ramp back into it soon. I am excited to hopefully finish it soon. I would love to smoke meat all summer. RIBWIZZARD  I really like the idea you had. I am sorry I haven't commented on it before. It would be awesome to load everything from the front. DaveOmak the flat top cooker idea is awesome as well. I am really looking forward to getting back into it. And thank you all for such great ideas. I will be posting pictures as I go. Please feel free to comment as I am new to the whole smoking game. I would love to make a competition worthy smoker. Thanks all and sorry for such a delay in commenting.