Newbie from MN, new smoker build, new to smoking.. I have some build questions

[Ryze]

Hi all,
I've been lurking the forums for awhile now. I've got the itch to build a smoker for home use. I obtained a 70ish gallon air compressor tank built sometime in the 50's
I went through the RF calculator and found out the dimensions I need to build everything
I had some 1/4" plate steel that I got for a crazy good deal. However the sizes we cut a little smaller than ideal for the firebox.
I ended up making the fb almost 7000 cu in, instead of the recommended 5500 cu in. I've read plenty of times that the recommended size is a MIN, and larger is okay.
My question is, the FB is currently 16x16x27.5 inches. My original plans was to mount it to so the long side 27.5 was horizontal.. making the overall length of the smoker ~80" long. I'm not sure I like the look of that idea. Wondering if there is any problem mounting the FB so its 27.5" tall?

I'd like to add, I would love to be able to make the FB a direct fire grill also, so not sure the best way to attach to accommodate that

I'll post some pictures in the replies

 

[Ryze]

Here are some pics of the start

 

[russmn]

Where in MN I'm in cold spring

 

[Ryze]

Ramsey, MN

 

[weedeater]

Ryze welcome to SMF from NW Georgia.
I’m trying to wrap my head around your question about orienting your firebox vertically. I would assume you would have part of your FB extending up to the top of your tank or close. If not the fire box would be sitting on the ground? What is the diameter of your tank? Draw it out to scale and see how it all lines up. How are you connecting the two together? Sorry, I have more questions than I do answers.

Weedeater

 

[Ryze]

okay. The tank is 20" in diameter and 53" from weld to weld (length in this case), sitting horizontal. I plan on making the bottom of the tank ~30-34" from ground. I'm 6'2" so a tall smoker isnt a problem. My original plan for the FB was to make it 16"x16"x27" with the 27" (long side) horizontal to the ground.. However after mocking it up, i think the proportions look weird with such a long skinny smoker.. overall length would be ~80" (not sure how far into the CC i'm going to inset the FB yet)

Since I want to have the BOTTOM of the CC 30"-34" above ground, I have room to change the 27" long side to vertical and then the overall size would be ~65-70 overall length.

my question is, does the way the FB is orientated affect its performance?
and would I still be able to make a direct fire grill on the fire box if the long side is vertical

 

[kawboy]

Welcome from a fellow Minnesotan! Your tank is very similar in size to one I picked up last summer. I've been kicking around what to do with it since. I will be watching!

 

[daveomak]

Slide the FB into the CC.... Put the top of the FB at the same elevation as the Reverse Flow plate... then weld the RF plate to the top of the FB....
That will do 2 things.... More heat to the CC and it will reduce the friction for the air flow... shorter distance for the air flow....
You can mount the FB where it is the same dimensions as the cut out of the CC...

 

[Ryze]

Thanks? Daveomak, but that doesn't answer any of my questions. I was already planning on inset the fb into cc and welding the rf to it.. but that doesn't solve my problem/question. Does the orientation of the FB matter? should it be 16"tall x 16"deep x 27" long, or can it be 27" tall x 16" deep x 16" long

 

[russmn]

Ramsey, MN

Been there many times

 

[gary s]

# 2 son built (We) a smoker like you are wanting Make a hinged top on your Firebox, on the inside add angle
for grate supports. I'll look for a Pic

Gary

 

[gary s]

Found a few,

 

[HalfSmoked]

Welcome glad to have you on board. You will no doubt get your answer.

Warren

 

[Ryze]

@ Gary, that looks great, and i like that idea better than what i was going to do.. I might have to steal that one!

 

[daveomak]

Thanks? Daveomak, but that doesn't answer any of my questions. I was already planning on inset the fb into cc and welding the rf to it.. but that doesn't solve my problem/question. Does the orientation of the FB matter? should it be 16"tall x 16"deep x 27" long, or can it be 27" tall x 16" deep x 16" long

If you take a good look at the drawing, it shows the orientation I would use.... Insert the FB until it looks good to you....