Reverse Flow Smoker Plans

[kageryu]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to this forum and I was wondering if there is any place I can find detailed plans for building a reverse flow smoker.  I really like the smoker built for Cajunsmoke13.  I've found one internet site that will sell plans for a normal offset smoker, but it is not a reverse flow smoker.  I plan to do the build with my father.  He is a retired pipe fitter.  I've found a lot of pictures and diagrams on this site, but I was wondering if there are any plans that would give dimensions, materials, etc...

Thanks,

Phil

 

[duck killer 1]

i will bump your thread. i do it all from my head when i build, i only use the calculators. some of these guys on here are talented when it comes to CAD and stuff. what kind of build are you looking to do? from scratch or using a tank etc.?

 

[duck killer 1]

by the way, welcome to SMF! now get on over to roll call and do an intro! 

 

[matts]

I have never seen a detailed set of plans for a reverse flow.  I would be hard to get a set since just about every custom built smoker is built from all kinds of different materials.  Its not something you can just go down to the hardware store and buy all the parts. 

Do you know what your going to start out with, tank?  What kind of size are you looking for?

I am going to be starting on the design stage of my next smoker.  I will be designing this up in cad part by part.  I plan on using the cad drawings to create templates for all my pieces.

 

[kageryu]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the replies.  I was going to see how much an 18 or 20 inch steel pipe would cost for the main smoking chamber.  Is that crazy?  I'm not sure how much things like that would cost.  I'm looking for a 40 to 48 inch long cooking area with an attached firebox. 

Thanks,

Phil

 

[duck killer 1]

the best thing to do IMHO would be to check the scrap yards and also watch craigs list etc. in my 160ish gallon thread the first picture is of 3 tanks i got ahold of for $100.00 they came off of concrete trucks they were used as water tanks used when they add water to the concrete in the mixer. they usually have some rust in them but they aren't too bad to clean up.

 

[tom37]

I have never seen a detailed set of plans for a reverse flow.  I would be hard to get a set since just about every custom built smoker is built from all kinds of different materials.  Its not something you can just go down to the hardware store and buy all the parts. 

Do you know what your going to start out with, tank?  What kind of size are you looking for?

I am going to be starting on the design stage of my next smoker.  I will be designing this up in cad part by part.  I plan on using the cad drawings to create templates for all my pieces.

 Matt, I just wanted to make sure you knew that you have won the U-Suck award.  This is an award you win when you can cut weld smoke and draw in cad. LOL   I am actually jealous, Sure wish I knew cad.

 

[duck killer 1]

LOL! what Tom said. 

 

[tom37]

Nice to have ya around Kage,

18 or 20 inch is not unreasonable at all.

Here's a shot of the one I am working on right now. And of course I have my drums.

Here is the link to my build, mine isn't any better then anyone elses, maybe a little different tho.

I say go with the pipe, I bet the old man would enjoy a flash back from the old days. Pipeliners are some of the best there is, I'm not sure how old either of ya are even, but if you can pick u a trick or two along the way, jump on it.

P.S. unless you want to hear him laugh, don't let him see my armature welds. I would feel bad if he pulled a muscle laughin at my stuff. LOL

 

[kageryu]

Hello Tom,

Your current build looks pretty good to me.  I didn't find a link to it in your reply, unless you meant the picture.

 

[matts]

Oh come on Tom & DK.  A guy has to make a livin some how. 

Thanks

Matt

PROUD recipient of the "U-Suck Award"

 

[kageryu]

here is a link to some plans I found on the internet for sale.  I know this is not a RF smoker, but it might not be that hard to convert it to one.  What do you guys think?

http://how-to-plans.com/bbq_smoker_plans.html

-p

 

[matts]

I would say save your money.  It will be very hard to follow those part by part detailed plans unless you start out with the exact same tank.  I would imagine those plans are more of a guide then actual plans.  Go find a tank or pipe and start a build thread here.  You will get all the help and guidance you will need and you will learn a lot more.

 

[kageryu]

Hello,

I think I like the look of this smoker:  http://www.horizonbbqsmokersstore.com/servlet/the-377/20"-Marshal-Backyard-Smoker/Detail

I would like the one I build to look close to this one, only mine would be a RF.  However, if I plug the dimentions into the Smoker ratio Excel spreadsheet, they do not match up.  If I'm reading the sheet properly, I would need a much smaller firebox.  Does that sound right?  The Horizon Marshal has a 20 by 48 cooking area, and a 20 by 22 firebox.  I think...

I like this look becuase the firebox can double as a charcoal grill.

-p

 

[matts]

The dimensions you get in the calculators are a minimum required.  They can get bigger and won't cause any problems.  Having a larger firebox doesn't mean you have to have a larger fire.  It's handy to have a larger firebox so you have more room in there for coal baskets or piles of wood that need stoked around.

What I found on the calculator was with a cooking chamber of 20" x 44" and with a firebox the same diameter, it only needs to be 15" wide.  Now that is too small to work in for me.  So I would probably go bigger also.  My next build I am planning right now is going to be pretty much that same size (24" dia x 48" long").  I plan on having a firebox that is 24"dia x 22"L.  Its bigger then what the calculator calls for.  But like I mentioned above, as long as it isn't smaller, its all good.

On that horizon model you showed, that warming spot may just be a flat plate on the firebox.  They will just put a flat plate on there so you can put something up there and it won't roll off.  My next one will have an actual lid that opens on top with a grate on the inside for grilling.  I don't know if that is what this Horizon is or not.

 

[kageryu]

I went to a metal yard today to price pipe.  it looks like I can get a 20'' diameter 40'' pipe that is 5/16 thick for $130 and a 20'' diameter 20 inch pipe that is 5/16 thick for $77.  I would like to keep the whole build around $300, but $400-$450 may be a more realistic estimate.  I have one question about the steel pipe.  Is there any way to get the rust off, other than having it sand blasted?  I'm not sure if the yard will do this, and I don't have a truck I can lug the pipe around in.  I'm guessing that this is the best way to start.  Get the pipe and worry about the frame and innards later.

 

[butchms]

I am starting a pipe build also. The pipe I got carrie a lot of rust also. You might want to check out a product call OSPHO. It has been used here on the Gulf for years. It works great.

 

[butchms]

They have a web site www.ospho.com You can get it at Ace Hardware if you have one in your area.

 

[raptor700]

Good Luck on your build, If theres two things I've learned it's you can plan your build but the build doesn't end up as planned, and the budget gets extended very quickly!

 

[tom37]

I have used two different grinder disc to remove rust and paint. I feel they are very acceptable when sandblasting is not an option.

1 is by norton

2 is by camel grinding wheels, but I cant find the link for it right now. I will have to get the product number tomorrow.

the norton one is called rapid strip

http://www.nortonconsumer.com/uploa...cuments/Right Angle Grinder Product Flyer.pdf