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My first RF smoker build, any help would be appreciated
- Thread starter jhsdigital
- Start date
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doodleq
Smoke Blower
Really looking sharp!
I used 3/16...since my firebox is not under the cc at any point it works fine. If there was overlap, I'd think there might be some benefit to going thicker.
I used 3/16...since my firebox is not under the cc at any point it works fine. If there was overlap, I'd think there might be some benefit to going thicker.
jhsdigital
Smoke Blower
DoodleQ,
Im leaning towards the 1/4" Plate, but in reading other threads guys are using 3/16. I was just wondering if there was a difference in the end result as far as cooking goes?
Im leaning towards the 1/4" Plate, but in reading other threads guys are using 3/16. I was just wondering if there was a difference in the end result as far as cooking goes?
ribwizzard
Master of the Pit
Biggest problem with reverse flow is the hot spot, ..your firebox is partially under the cooking chamber, and that will amplify this problem.
ribwizzard
Master of the Pit
Going with thicker plate helps , so does adding a 2nd plate with air gap in between
ribwizzard
Master of the Pit
with that said, 3/16" is easier to fab with than 1/4 ", if your just doing a flat plate, i'd go 1/4", if your getting fancy, 3/16" will be fine.
Other than the hot spot that you have to engineer out, recovery time really should be the only other difference, from thermal mass, and your not talking that much.
Other than the hot spot that you have to engineer out, recovery time really should be the only other difference, from thermal mass, and your not talking that much.
jhsdigital
Smoke Blower
Thanks Ribwizzard,
We discussed the hot spot a couple of pages back in this thread. With the help of Dave, SQWIB and yourself I decided to put in a heat baffle plate with a 1/2" air gap which seems like it should take care of that problem, you guys have been a big help in my build. I spend a lot of time reading about other builds on this forum, and noticed that some guys were using 3/16 plate instead of 1/4 plate. My initial intention was to go with 1/4 plate, but wanted to check to make sure I was not overlooking something before moving forward. THANKS again for all the input, I cant wait to do my first cook.
We discussed the hot spot a couple of pages back in this thread. With the help of Dave, SQWIB and yourself I decided to put in a heat baffle plate with a 1/2" air gap which seems like it should take care of that problem, you guys have been a big help in my build. I spend a lot of time reading about other builds on this forum, and noticed that some guys were using 3/16 plate instead of 1/4 plate. My initial intention was to go with 1/4 plate, but wanted to check to make sure I was not overlooking something before moving forward. THANKS again for all the input, I cant wait to do my first cook.
jhsdigital
Smoke Blower
Well, we got back at it last night and here are the results.
First, the damper and handle for the stack, I used a 1/4 piece of scrap for the damper disk on top and 1/2" rod for the control arm which will be finished off with a spring handle.
Next we moved on to the door frame of the FB, I used 1" and 2" flat bar to construct it. I placed the 1' behind the 2" with a 1/2" over hang which I will use for stove/oven gasket so I get a good seal on the door when closed.
We also added the fire grate rails, did not have enough time to hang the door maybe later this week.
This afternoon cleanup time on the welds with the grinder.
First, the damper and handle for the stack, I used a 1/4 piece of scrap for the damper disk on top and 1/2" rod for the control arm which will be finished off with a spring handle.
Next we moved on to the door frame of the FB, I used 1" and 2" flat bar to construct it. I placed the 1' behind the 2" with a 1/2" over hang which I will use for stove/oven gasket so I get a good seal on the door when closed.
We also added the fire grate rails, did not have enough time to hang the door maybe later this week.
This afternoon cleanup time on the welds with the grinder.
What are you going to use for the fire grate?
jhsdigital
Smoke Blower
SQWIB,
Going to use 1 1/4 X 1 1/4 square tube with a 3/4-9 expanded metal top, and maybe put a finger pull type handle on the front edge, to make it easier to slide out. Also going to line the bottom with fire brick. Still havent figured out how I want to do the door latch yet, any suggestions?
Going to use 1 1/4 X 1 1/4 square tube with a 3/4-9 expanded metal top, and maybe put a finger pull type handle on the front edge, to make it easier to slide out. Also going to line the bottom with fire brick. Still havent figured out how I want to do the door latch yet, any suggestions?
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jhsdigital
Smoke Blower
Hey, anyone have any suggestions for a FB door latch ?
doodleq
Smoke Blower
jhsdigital
Smoke Blower
DoodleQ
Thanks, picked one up today.
Thanks, picked one up today.
jhsdigital
Smoke Blower
Well, got a call from my Buddy on his way home from worked and he asked me if I wanted to do some more welding this evening. Umm, Yeah ! So this is what we got done tonight,
Welded up the frames for the fire grate, cooking grate and folding shelf.
Welded in some expanded metal behind the air intakes
Here is the fire grate, I'm going to weld a handle on the front edge to to help with pulling it out when hot.
Here is the cooking grate, also going to put handles on the front edge with some 1/2" solid rod to help to pull it out when hot.
And this guy will be a folding shelf, it will be hinged just below the bottom edge of the door opening about 2". Hopefully we can get some more done tomorrow. The near is in sight and I'm getting really excited to get it done, cant wait.
Welded up the frames for the fire grate, cooking grate and folding shelf.
Welded in some expanded metal behind the air intakes
Here is the fire grate, I'm going to weld a handle on the front edge to to help with pulling it out when hot.
Here is the cooking grate, also going to put handles on the front edge with some 1/2" solid rod to help to pull it out when hot.
And this guy will be a folding shelf, it will be hinged just below the bottom edge of the door opening about 2". Hopefully we can get some more done tomorrow. The near is in sight and I'm getting really excited to get it done, cant wait.
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It looks amazing . if i will add anything to this great smoker will be a BBQ Guru .
jhsdigital
Smoke Blower
WHEEL PLACEMENT: I'm trying to figure out wheel placement for my smoker. Below is a drawing that shows where I was thinking about placing them. However I'm thinking that there may be an issue of the possibility of tipping. I noticed in a picture that SQWIB had posted in my thread earlier that it appears his right side wheels are located under the FB.
Any thoughts ??????
My Drawing of wheel placement
SQWIBS, picture above
Any thoughts ??????
My Drawing of wheel placement
SQWIBS, picture above
The build is looking good. I'll check back later.
Happy smoken.
David
Happy smoken.
David
My wheels (the smoker wheels
) are under the fire box
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jhsdigital
Smoke Blower
Its looking like under the FB and the other end might give it more stability when rolling it around, any thoughts on hard wheels vs. pneumatic wheels ?
Hard tires. Other wise they will stay flat
David
David
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