Newbie with a question.

[nick344]

I am finally getting around to building my RF smoker. I am using a 100 gal propane tank. I have used the calculators to figure out what size fire box, exhaust stack and air inlet sizes i need. My question is I have a piece 1/8in plate is that thick enough for fire box or does it need to be thicker to hold heat better and what works best for hinge's? I thought of making my own with round stock and tube.

 

[fpnmf]

Welcome..

This site has tons of info.

I would suggest you spend some time reading all the different forums and the

WIKIs.

Then use the handy dandy search tool for specific interests!!

Take the awesome free E-Course!!!

Have a great day!!!

Craig
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/about-jeffs-5-day-ecourse
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/basic-pulled-pork-smoke
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/finishing-sauce-for-pulled-pork-by-

soflaquer
http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?736-Curing-Salts
http://www.educationbug.org/a/marinate-vs--marinade.html

 

[nick344]

thanks. I have done a lot of reading and took the e courses. I have been a member for a few months just dont post that much. All the builds I looked at I did not see where they talked about material thickness. I could have over looked it also.

 

[fpnmf]

There is a great bunch of builders here,,,they will be along shortly..

  Craig

 

[spankerchief]

Welcome Nick!

Being fairly new here myself, I can't say with absolute certainty what the minimum thickness for a firebox should be. What little experience I've had says that you need AT LEAST 3/16". Any thinner and enough air flow could create enough of a hot spot to warp the firebox or burn through.

The only time I think you can get away with 1/8" is if you're using propane burners only or have a suspended basket for coals.

Most of the guys seem to be using 1/4" or 3/8" plate on the square fireboxes for the sake of longevity.

Save that 1/8" though. I made mine out of 1/4", insulated and skinned it in 1/8"

There's no sign of any warpage, and I've had that firebox full of oak splits and the air opened all the way up.

Sounds like you've got the hinges figured out. I've seen guys use weldable pre-fab "bullet" hinges, fabricate their own and cut sections of heavy strap hinge(this is what I did) all with equal success.

Rule of thumb: If it's still holding the door on when everything's glowing red, you're GOLDEN!

 

[nick344]

Welcome Nick!

Being fairly new here myself, I can't say with absolute certainty what the minimum thickness for a firebox should be. What little experience I've had says that you need AT LEAST 3/16". Any thinner and enough air flow could create enough of a hot spot to warp the firebox or burn through.

The only time I think you can get away with 1/8" is if you're using propane burners only or have a suspended basket for coals.

Most of the guys seem to be using 1/4" or 3/8" plate on the square fireboxes for the sake of longevity.

Save that 1/8" though. I made mine out of 1/4", insulated and skinned it in 1/8"

There's no sign of any warpage, and I've had that firebox full of oak splits and the air opened all the way up.

Sounds like you've got the hinges figured out. I've seen guys use weldable pre-fab "bullet" hinges, fabricate their own and cut sections of heavy strap hinge(this is what I did) all with equal success.

Rule of thumb: If it's still holding the door on when everything's glowing red, you're GOLDEN!

Thanks. I will get some 3/16 or 1/4. I am thinking of insulating mine with rockwool. What did you use? Will the 1/8 work for the rf plate?

 

[spankerchief]

I did a little research after buying standard mineral wool http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ww...ool&op=search&Ntt=mineral+wool&N=0&sst=subset  and found out that there's three or more grades. Ceramic Wool http://woodheatstoves.com/ceramic-wool-blanket-12-inch-p-9562.html  being the best.

Unless you're using stainless and have some pleats in the steel, you might want to use 1/4" for the RF plate so that it distributes the heat evenly and doesn't warp or sag (since it takes the brunt of the hot gasses from the firebox.)