Smoker Diameter

[thegrillboss]

Hello All, I'm looking to start a build on a 6' to 8' smoker, would a 30" dia tube be to large? What would be the ideal diameter for a build? 

Thanks for your advice. 

 

[rexster314]

30"? Wow, that's gonna be a big cooker, but it depends on how much you're gonna do at a time and for how many people. Commercial or backyard bbq? I have a 7' x 20" with offset box and I can usually get 2 packer briskets, 2 racks of ribs, 3 whole chickens and 4-5 links of sausages scattered around with no problem in mine. I've had 5 briskets by themselves going at one time.

 

[mossymo]

Glad you joined us TheGrillBoss! :welcome1:
Be sure and get over to introductions and let us know where you live, experience you have with outdoor cooking and what type of smoker you are using, etc. , just a little about yourself.

Personally I wouldn't build it any larger than to fit a 24" grate in depth, any deeper and working with food product on the grate will be difficult. With that said a 26" pipe/tube would be the max in my opinion.

 

[thegrillboss]

Well I was really against the 30" diameter tube, but once I seen it I knew it was all good. I'm a little more than the weekend griller, I like to entertain and have a kick ass time. I just picked up my 30" x 62" barrel. Going to clean the inside then cut the doors out to do my first burn. 4-5 pallets should work going to get it nice and hot to burn off some of the outside paint. Next I will need to add my fire box which i'm thinking a 24" x24" rear load fire box. I would also like to add a RF system to this big @$$ tank.. My thought of the rear load would be that i will store the smoke wood behind the unit and feed from that direction. Any thoughts? Please feel free to give me your 2 or 3 cents, all comments welcomed as well as critisism if needed. Bottom line I want the best RF smoking

machine out there to put some titles under my belt.

'

 

[thegrillboss]

rexter314///// Wow that's going to be a big cooker.......that's what she said. Anyways I think I will be perfect for our current 20-30 guest parties. If you got the space then you need to spread out a little and put some good grub out. Still thinking about the baffle and the tilt of the pan. Want to be sure smoke is covering all my grub. I hope to hear from some of the seasoned and exsperenced  smokers from here. This build will go on, with or with out you. But don't get me wrong, I would love to hear everyone's two sense, So don't hold back get your lips a flappin. Talkin Crazy is approved...lol