my first ever attempt at building a smoker and looking for advise

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david450

Newbie
Original poster
Feb 8, 2016
7
10
Odessa tx

First off sorry for the pictures it's dark when I get off work
It started off as a propane tank laying on my property
It has a 22" diameter
Stack is 33" tall and 4.5" round
Tank is 73" long end to end (approximately)
The two cooking spaces are 26x22 inches as well
Also I used 1 1/2 flat iron around the doors with a 3/4 inch lip

Note: this is also my first ever welding experience with a cheap harbour freight Flux welder

I feel the expanded metal won't stay (bbq'd on it because we'll I couldn't wait to do something with it) it warped and doesn't seem like it would last I even had to add some square tubing for support and might replace it with 1/4 round stock but could use some input on this

For hinges I snagged some 3/16 steel hinges from my old work and arched them over the expanded metal and seems to work well

This was my temporary contraption so I could bbq on it and will be cut off just above this and to the tank seem to fit the fire box, this I am needing help on for the dimensions as It has just been a guessING game to this point.

I'm haVing a particular problem with this corner not sitting in like the rest and assuming I could heat the door up and put two wedges and hammer the corner in but any advise on this would be greatly appreciated,
I'm thinking of using 2 clamps on the bottom corners of the two doors to help seal it, what are you guys using for a gasket?

So my main questions are
•how can I fix the door
• how big of a firebox
• is my stack close to the right dimensions or does it need to be taller/shorter?
• Opinions on door clamps
• gasket
And a side note I am debating on a Regular draw threw or a reverse flow firebox any input?

Thank you and I hope this turns out half decent being my first post, I'm sure I forgot some and can update or post better pictures upon request
 
Heck haven't thought of naming it, could you direct me to the building area? Im Not to shabby with forums sorry, and I'm really looking to get a firebox estimate size, I'm thinking something like 9k cubic inches. There's sooooo many questions to ask but the box and fixing the door are my main concerns
 
And a side note the only money I have invested in This is a welder and mask everything else has been free, maybe "cheapskate"?
 
We all live in a yellow submarine........

canary yellow....

Check out my post in propane smoker builds... I love cheap.

Just look thru the forums... sorry but I never post links. Old habits, and all.
 
Last edited:
Hey cheap is the best form of paying. You will learn to cook on that smoker before most people who buy one. That's what makes it worthwhile.
 
On the top menu is link that says "Forums," click on that and look down halfway down the list and you'll see a link for "Smoking Supplies and Equipment," click on that and the second down on the list is "Smoker Builds". A lot of sharp guys to help you there and quick to offer help. if you look around there for threads already posted or use the search function (looks like a magnifying glass) in the upper right and type in "firebox dimensions" you may find specific answers already posted.

Good luck! Great "cheap" project!
 
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