My first smoker build

[emetric]

I am currently building a patio smoker, really just to see if I can, so far I think it is going ok.  This is also my first attempt at welding, so my welds might not be pretty but they are holding (all that counts in my book).  I used an old compressor tank, some poles that a junk metal friend of mine brought over, and sheet stock from the drop pile at my local metal shop.  I didn't take pictures along the way but here is my progress thus far and I will try to take more pics as I go along.  Enjoy and please leave comments.

 

[daveomak]

e, morning.... looking good....   I'm looking at the left end of the smoking chamber where the RF plate will stop....  Have you calculated that area ??  I haven't found any definite measurements for the end of the RF plate... I have been recommending 1.5 times the area of the firebox/smoke chamber opening for that opening to reduce friction loss when the smoke and air make a 180 and head  to the exhaust stack....  It is difficult from the pics to see just how open that end is.....   Dave  

 

[emetric]

Actually it is just a bad picture there is actually quite a bit of room there.  Thanks for pointing that out though, I really hadn't thought much about it.  The steel that I cut for the RF plate was short so I will be installing each side in two pieces maybe I will wait and weld in the smaller pieces after a test burn to see if it makes a difference.  I will be sure to update the post when I find out.

 

[emetric]

Made some more progress on my smoker.  I have installed the baffle plate installed the basic door on the firebox (still needs bracing).  I have also installed the beginnings of a shelf.  I used an old bed frame for the frame of the shelf which will be covered with expanded metal, just didn't want to install it because it rusts easily in my experience.  I had to install the baffle plate in 4 pieces instead of 2 because I was using what I had and the piece of steel that I had was 4 inches short.  I also installed the hardware for the sliding grates.  My project is coming along nicely... enjoy the pictures.

smoker01.JPG

• emetric
• Aug 4, 2012

smoker03.JPG

• emetric
• Aug 4, 2012

smoker02.JPG

• emetric
• Aug 4, 2012

smoker04.JPG

• emetric
• Aug 4, 2012

smoker05.JPG

• emetric
• Aug 4, 2012

 

[daveomak]

e, morning...  won't be long and smoke will be coming out of the  "stack"...  Dave

 

[silenthunter]

Looks good! These build's are very time consuming.

 

[sunman76]

comimg along great

 

[ribwizzard]

Looks good!

 

[scarbelly]

Looks like you are coming right along with that bad boy 

 

[emetric]

Silent hunter, you're dead on they do take forever. It was a lot of fun at first and I'm sure trying it out will be too, but this part in the middle sucks! For all of you who are keeping tabs on my build, I hope to post some new pics today or tomorrow. Thanks for looking!

 

[emetric]

updates

Finally seeing some smoke, got a chance to season the grill.  The draw is fantastic.

IMG_0106.JPG

• emetric
• Sep 16, 2012

Dressed up the firebox door, the latch is only temporary

IMG_0109.JPG

• emetric
• Sep 16, 2012

Completed the baffle, I even incorporated an additional stop in case of rain.

IMG_0112.JPG

• emetric
• Sep 16, 2012

IMG_0113.JPG

• emetric
• Sep 16, 2012

IMG_0114.JPG

• emetric
• Sep 16, 2012

Here's a look at the cooking grate

IMG_0110.JPG

• emetric
• Sep 16, 2012

And the firebox in action

IMG_0107.JPG

• emetric
• Sep 16, 2012

 

[roushy]

Great pictures!  I am just about to finish up a similar design.  I found that building a decent mini-trailer was harder than building the smoker.  Did you see any heat issues with your design?  I have only used side firefox and UDSs so I am eager to see if a RF design is all its crack up to be.

You going to paint that hogie?

Roushy.

 

[emetric]

I did not build a trailer, although I could see how that could be difficult (managing heat is difficult I guess it takes years of experience to know how to accurately predict movement due to heating of metals).  I didn't need a trailer because I already have a larger smoker that is on a trailer.  I did have some heat issues, I was going to attach the smokestack to the top of the cook chamber which I decided against after cutting the hole.  So, while welding the patch in I overheated the top and it warped the top edge of the door cut-out rendering my homemade hinges useless so I replaced them with weldable hinges.  

Yes I will be painting black and adding one made oak handles, a big wood shelf on the front, and expanded melt shelf underneath.

My other smoker is also a reverse flow design which is a huge improvement over the side box design in my opinion.  I haven't tried a UDS so I can't comment there.

Best of luck with your build!  Stay tuned, I will have more updates soon!

 

[smokinjoe1970]

dude It looks great, I'm No welder either so Mine still Look Bad, But Its way better than Paying someone, & Knowing You did it Yourself makes a Huge difference ..

 Congrats ..