My new smoker build

[cybernugz]

Hello all,

Just finished my barrel smoker build today.. Found plans for this online thought it was cool so I built it lol...never really used a wood smoker before , Built a fire in it today and the temp got to about 250 then shut the firebox door and the temp dropped but held steady at 155 for a little over an hour..only used 3 pieces of wood because thats what it said to use where i found the plans guess I need more wood to get the temp up to 225... any input would be great:)

 

[meat hunter]

Well I must say that is great looking unit. You did a great job on it. The hardest part of using a smoker that burns wood is learning how to use it. I built mine several months back and I swear, I went thru half a cord of wood on the first smoke LOL. Once I got a handle on things, I now use maybe a 5 gal pail of oak splits. Quite the difference. Some things to remember, control your fire with the draft and not the dampers on the chimney. Learn how to make a small managelbe fire and how long your fire can maintain a temp until you need to add more. I would preburn any wood that you use. I like to use a weed burner, fire that bad boy up and char a bunch of splits. It takes away the nasties that reside in wood, dries it out more and makes for a quick lite once it gets inside the firebox.
I suggest you read thru the wood smoker section and absorb what you can. Wood burners are a labor of love sort of thing, and many will argue provide you with the best smoke.

Stop on over at the roll call section and give all of us a good introduction. Name, where your from, hobbies, smoking exp, stuff like that. Thats where the members here will be able to see we have a new member and give you a propler welcome.

Well I look forward to seeing more of your posts in the future, as well as some of your smokes. So again, welcome aboard, great to have you with us and ask questions if you have them, someone will always jump in and assist you

 

[meateater]

You must be a football fan! Great job by the way.

 

[treegje]

that is a beautiful construction,beautifully finished

 

[salbaje gato]

very nice build, put some meat on that thing and show us somemore pics

 

[cybernugz]

well decided to smoke a chicken today ..having trouble keeping the temp at 225 with the fire box door closed even with intake vent opn all the way so i cracked the door opn and that seems to do the trick..very windy here that might have some to do with it. gonna see what happens lol

 

[billbo]

Looks great! Love the hatchet, is that the door handle? Can you post where you found the plans for that in case others are interested?

 

[chefrob]

seen those before and wondered how much fab they take.........looks good!

 

[swine-n-shine]

My buddy used one of those doors on his smoker and he has the same problem. Been trying to talk him into put more intake on his. I think you should do the same.

 

[carpetride]

You might consider adding a 2" gate valve to give you more control over the air intake.

Nice build

 

[cybernugz]

thank you all for all the help ...let me ask this the bottom barrel is the fire box the door on the end has like 5 small vents do i need a cross draft ? should I put another vent in the oppisite end of the barrel if so should it be at the top middle or bottom ? thanks again everyone

 

[cybernugz]

Billbo yes the hachett is the handel..and come to find out found the plans on this site somewhere on the main page cant remember which link took me to it i printed it out and never looked back lol. here is the pic that I used.

 

[meat hunter]

How are you running your dampers on the chimneys? Wide open, closed half way?......If they are closed somewhat, try running them wide open and use your draft on the firebox to control your temps.

 

[cybernugz]

the dampers are about half open and the door is cracked it will hold the temp at 225 that way i dont think there is enough intake one the fire box to shut the door probably going to add another intake vent on the box just not sure where to put it

 

[meat hunter]

That door/vent setup is almost identical to the one I have for my wood stove in my shop. Same deal you find at home improvement stores for buiding a wood stove out of 55 gal drums, which is essentially what you have. Before cutting additional vents in, try opening those dampeners on the chimney all the way so they give you a good draw. If that does not help, then I would do as carpetride suggested and use a big gate valve or maybe even a ball valve to give you good control over your air intake. Also, depending on what your weather conditions are, the windier or colder it is will affect that smoke as the drums are fairly thin skinned, thus the heat is more likely to be stripped away on cold or windy days. A good wind block would be a good idea regaurdless, maybe next to a garage or a wooden fence. If you get a chance, shoot some pics of the inside so we can see.

 

[bigtrain74]

Wonderful job on this!!! I am jealous!

 

[carpetride]

Meat Hunter is right a Ball valve would be the one to use vs. the gate valve I mentioned earlier. I've seen a few setups that had two.

 

[smokin-jim]

Awesome new smoker. Great job!

 

[cybernugz]

where would I put the ball valve ? i have tried running it with the dampers open all the way still doesnt correct it ..... thanks again

 

[carpetride]

Mine is in the door. Would assume that as long as they entered the firebox you would be ok.