Home built smoker idea thread

[thestealth]

I wasn't really sure where to put this, charcoal forum, wood burner forum...so I decided to go with the catch all forum.

I've got a welder, some cutting tools (no torch though) and some know how...although, I normally find I know enough to get myself into trouble.

After discovering how much fun and rewarding smoking meat is, (I've only been doing it a short time, couple of months), I decided I need (want) a smoker at our cabin on Lake of the Ozarks. There's not much to do down there except a little fishing, drinking beer and swimming, so having to tend a smoker all day would be a great addition to the beer drinking.

I'm not wanting to build anything too big, as we don't normally entertain a bunch of people at the lake so here's my idea...build a second smoker, depending upon how it turns out, move my SnP to the lake or the one I built.

After reading through as many threads as I could find via search...I'm either going to build a horizontal offset, reverse flow, vertical offset or what I would call a baby "big betty." Other than a UDS or bullet smoker, I think that about sums up my options...right?

The baby "big Betty" is the direction I'm leaning at the moment. Here is a quickie MSPaint I drew up last night. Keep in mind, this is a very rough sketch. The dimensions are based around a 21gallon horizontal air compressor tank.



Any inherent problems with a design like this? Keep in mind, portability is necessary, so size is important (I know, that's what she said).

comments?
Suggestions?

 

[hemi]

Looks likeYou have a good idea for a smoker . I built one out of a 22 gal
lp tank that is real similar in design and size as you are talking about.
I just found that it is easier to build in in a offset design. I just gave away
one that I finished this spring because it is a double cooker on ao a trailer
and it was just too big. I just wanted it outta the yard. This one is plenty big for a small gathering of folks. Maybe 10 or so. about 3 shoulders will fit with a bit of room left .4 is a tight fit. One of my better decisions. Use that tank to build an offset horizonal and it will not be as top heavy, easier and safer to move and easier to tend and U will have a
hot surface to simmer your sauce while everything is cookin'.. Hemi..

 

[beer-b-q]

I agree with Hemi, your design looks top heavy, you don't want to be tipping it over with it hot and full of meat...

 

[thestealth]

Good looking rig. I hope when I get done with mine it looks that good.

Yeah, I have considered how top heavy it would be. I'm still one tank short at the moment. My SnP works pretty good and going to the lake season is almost over, so more than likely it will be a fall/winter project. I just like to try and plan things out well in advance to limit the amount of "oh crap" moments that always pop up.

 

[hemi]

I agree that it looks top heavy but it ain't. believe me IT AIN'T.. mainly
because the firebox is made from 1/2 inch steel plate.. Heavy as do-do..
Butt I got the plate for free.. It takes a bit longer to get the box up to temperature but it holds it REAL well

Hemi..

 

[beer-b-q]

There are two air compressors listed on Craig's List in Turner(So KCK) that you might check out he says they are 30-50 gal.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/tls/1280599327.html

 

[beer-b-q]

Hemi, I was referring to his design which had the larger tank on top, not yours, yours looks great...

As I understand, he was going to use two air compressor tanks and his design had the larger tank on top...

 

[thestealth]

Hard to tell from the picture...but those look pretty close in size to the one I have. It's 30X16 I think...I'll have to re-measure when I get home...


What about using an old hot-water tank for the smoke chamber. I know they have some kind of lining in them (glass, porcelain, rubber bladder). I've heard of people using them, but not seen one IRL or on the web for that matter.

 

[hemi]

OOPS , Need to read a little closer I recon. when yer older'n dirt these
things happen..

 

[hemi]

I am a machinist and welder by trade and all the times I welded on anything zinc plated I got sick. [galvanized] like most hot water tanks are except some of the really expensive ones. People
do it alla time but I dodge it when I can.. Hemi.

 

[thestealth]

I wasn't sure if they were galvanized or not. I've never tore into one and info I've gathered on the net was contradictory.

I made the mistake of welding on galvanized steel once...I don't wanna make that mistake again.

 

[thestealth]

Well...I started my build this week. I've got the frame welded together and the doors cut and hinged in the tanks. I used my old 20 gallon compressor tank and a 20# propane tank. The propane tank is a tad smaller than 1/3 (almost 6 gallons) than the compressor tank...once I get the two connected, I'll see how it heats up. I worked on it until bedtime last night, so I didn't take any pictures...

Cutting into the propane tank was about as nerve racking task as I have done in quite awhile. I took the valve off and and filled it with soap and water, but as I was making the corner cuts with a die grinder, watching sparks fly...I was a little nervous.

 

[smokingohiobutcher]

awwww Maaaan! No Qview????? PLeeeeeeaaaaseeee Post some pics!!!!!

 

[thestealth]

I know...I know *hangs head in shame*

 

[thestealth]

I've got my cabin smoker about 95% done...still weld on some lips for the doors and modify my coal basket a little.

I was really trying to do this on the cheap. So far, not counting my time, I have zero dollars invested...my only expense thus far is about a dozen welding rods.

Right now it runs a little warmer in the center than the ends...nothing a couple more pieces of steel won't cure (hopefully).

 

[beer-b-q]

Looking Great,

also looks like someone is missing a handle and wheels from their pallet jack...

 

[thestealth]

When the company I worked for moved into a new building the construction company was kind enough to leave us a broken pallet jack to dispose of. I got tired of it sitting around the shop, so I dismantled it...which made me think, damn, these parts would make a damn fine smoker frame... Nothing like rolling around with nice, smooth bushings...just don't set it where it can roll downhill...it'll get away pretty quick.

 

[bigbaldbbq]

It looks great so far. Can't wait to see it in action.

 

[zjaybird]

Please don't take my opinion for anything more than a crazy person that cannot wait till this weekend for BBQ. But could your heat issue in your homemade smoker be the result of your chimmey in the center of the unit? I have just been reading posts from about every forum I can and most people have a chimmey on both ends of the smoker and have to modify those a bit depending if it is too hot or 2 cold. I hope this might have been of some help. If not....please delete my post HA HA

 

[thestealth]

Well...the smoker seems to be working okee dokee... I made some split chicken breasts and a fatty Friday night. Held a steady 250* for close to 5 hours. I pulled the chicken off after 2 1/2 hours and smoked the fatty and some peppers for another 2 1/2... (no qview...that's the way it goes I guess).

This time around, I broke out the camera to at least properly document that the smoker does actually work. :D

ABT's and peppers, bacon and onion for the beans...


TBS..??


Pork loin and some poblano's I threw on top...


2.5 hours and 165*...time to eat!!!