I recently started my first smoker build. I was planning on a side fire box, but adjusted my plans to a RF after reading a lot about it.
I must say the content of these forums have been very helpful. Thank you!
I started with a 50 gallon 1/4" wall tank that was previously on an oil well containing an unknown liquid. It is 44"x20".
I filled it with water and cut out the doors and fire box end.
I didn't start taking pictures until I got the doors cut and the RF plate welded in.
It already had one 2" pipe on the side (now my top) which I am leaving for now as a possible accessory chimney/thermostat bung, etc. (See above)
I cut out too much of the end initially but my fire box side wall will cover up some of the gap. You can see the end of my RF plate with a 1" angle on the end to keep it from warping. It also gave me a sturdy attachement point for the firebox. (above)
Above is the "gap" at the end of the RF plate. There is another 2" bung on the left end which I am wondering about using as a different accessory chimney. It is exactally in the middle of the end plate, so would be about 2-3" above my cooking grate. It would not be my main chimney since it is on the wrong end, but it would help balance out "the look" of the smoker with a chimney on each end. I could even have 3 chimney if I left the one in the middle.
I am planning on making the door seals with 1/8"x1" strap metal on the inside lip of the cooking chamber so the doors would rest on the seals. I now see that most of you put these seals on the outside of the doors. What are the pros and cons of the different placements?
I just ordered handles and a thermometer from bobeickhoff.
I have the fire box frame and legs attached. I will add more photos later.
I still have a lot to do.
Ribwizzard, I just posted on another thread about your propane assist burner. Have any of the rest of you added a propane burner under the RF plate? I was planning on that initially before I converted to a Reverse Flow smoker, but now am concerned that there may not be enough oxygen under the plate to keep the burner lit. IF it went out and the propane kept flowing, it could become a bomb.
What do you all think so far?
TM
I must say the content of these forums have been very helpful. Thank you!
I started with a 50 gallon 1/4" wall tank that was previously on an oil well containing an unknown liquid. It is 44"x20".
I filled it with water and cut out the doors and fire box end.
I didn't start taking pictures until I got the doors cut and the RF plate welded in.
It already had one 2" pipe on the side (now my top) which I am leaving for now as a possible accessory chimney/thermostat bung, etc. (See above)
I cut out too much of the end initially but my fire box side wall will cover up some of the gap. You can see the end of my RF plate with a 1" angle on the end to keep it from warping. It also gave me a sturdy attachement point for the firebox. (above)
Above is the "gap" at the end of the RF plate. There is another 2" bung on the left end which I am wondering about using as a different accessory chimney. It is exactally in the middle of the end plate, so would be about 2-3" above my cooking grate. It would not be my main chimney since it is on the wrong end, but it would help balance out "the look" of the smoker with a chimney on each end. I could even have 3 chimney if I left the one in the middle.
I am planning on making the door seals with 1/8"x1" strap metal on the inside lip of the cooking chamber so the doors would rest on the seals. I now see that most of you put these seals on the outside of the doors. What are the pros and cons of the different placements?
I just ordered handles and a thermometer from bobeickhoff.
I have the fire box frame and legs attached. I will add more photos later.
I still have a lot to do.
Ribwizzard, I just posted on another thread about your propane assist burner. Have any of the rest of you added a propane burner under the RF plate? I was planning on that initially before I converted to a Reverse Flow smoker, but now am concerned that there may not be enough oxygen under the plate to keep the burner lit. IF it went out and the propane kept flowing, it could become a bomb.
What do you all think so far?
TM
