Started my New Smoker Today

Looking good so far debi cant wait to see it finished

 

debi, looks like you are gonna kinda use mine for a model. a few tips, if i may; keep in mind the mechanic did alot of the work for me, since i didn't have alot of time to do it all myself. 1. on the firebox, he took a piece of diamond plate steel and cut it so it fit over the hole where it mounts to the drum. then he put 2 x 3" pipes connecting it to the drum. don't do that. put one big pipe, or find a way to mount it directly without a plate covering the hole. i wanted to do it that way, but didn't have time to do it myself, or the materials to do it with one big pipe. 2. cut your smokestack just under your food rack on the end, 4" diameter at least. i have mine that way, and it works better than when i had it on the top. 3. i bought my smoker thermometers from academy, the smaller "old smokey" brand, $9 each. i mounted mine in the door, on each end (either side of handle). i am thinking of moving them so they are on the outside of the door. like they are, they are a few inches above the rack. 4. make sure there is a leg under the firebox to the ground. 5. regular flat black paint on the drum will suffice. 6. insulation will make a BIG difference on the drum. too bad you don't live close to me, as i have some left over. 7. have fun, and smoke alot.

 

Looking good....

Can I make one suggestion for the CG sfb. Since I have 2 now.....

Cut a piece of expanded metal and use it for the charcoal rack. The stock one is way to low.... if you don't already know. I got lazy and just put a piece of expanded metal on the "cooking" grate. Lots of room for ash, and no problem smothering your fire like using the stock grate. Some buy or make baskets..... I am going to put some all-thread rod in my 2nd one and lower the expanded metal. That will give my a lip so coals will not fall out the front like my first one. I will modify it later on.

Bill

 

Well debi let him laugh tell him your just starting with this and tell him to show us pics of his homebuilt smoker lol. I think its great that your building a smoker and my Hats off to you. Keep on building Baby.

 

Debi, what he said!!!! Go get 'em girl.

 

my smokestack extendes into the smoker just a bit. i also do not use the stock charcoal grate that came with the firebox- it bent pretty bad the first time i used some mesquite splits on it. i use a heavy rack out of the old LP grill for my rack in the firebox now. i don't know the exact size of the firebox. for the food rack, i used some metal we have at work, that is sheet steel, with a bunch of round holes all over it. i am going to make a new one, as i don't like this one; the holes are too small. if i could have used the stuff with bigger holes, i think it would be ok. couldn't use it at the time though. make sure your smokestack is on the opposite end of the firebox. my smokestack is 4" diameter. i think that is big enough for a 55-gallon drum with side firebox. here is a pic that shows the firebox, and trhe smokestack going into the smoker.

 

I do not know if this would work but, I was wondering if a person could use blow on insulation on the outside to insulate the barrel. I do not know if the insulation would take the heat. If it would that would be the easiest way to insulate the barrel.

 

I love all the info and pics,great ideas.....it's awesome to see people do things from scratch...keep it up Deejay !

 

Debi,
What an ambitious project. You'll have to keep us updated w/ all the play by play.

Chris is oh so correct about keeping the stack @ cooking grate level. That will keep the convection current flowing below the meat and create a good uniform "heat bubble" in the cooking area.

Your bung hole will not be large enough for a stack. It's more like 2 1/2", not 4". You won't need a vent, that's what your stack is. You'll be controlling your temp by the size fire you build, and how much air you allow through the firebox.

Light guage expanded metal makes excellent cooking grates, especially if tacked into a 1" angle iron frame. If you call around the metal dealers in your area, you should be able to pick up a piece of "drop"(leftovers from someone else's cut)

Good Luck, I'm sure you'll do well,

Tim

 

Debi how is the progress coming on the new toy.

 

Debi sure does look like your really getting into this and that is great. Your getting tons of good advice and it is great to see that it's all coming together for you. I don't have much to add to all this since i'm not much for manufacturing something like what you are tackling. But i wanted a new thermometer for my CharBroil electric smoker and i bought one from Wally World and when i put it in some boiling water it showed 213. i just clean off the tip after each smoke and it works great for me. So keep on inching along and keep the photos coming. Great work.

Bill

 

the firebox is right hand mount, if it is the char-griller brand. char-broil is left hand mount. i got the handle for my smoker door off my old LP grill. the wheels are getting donated from it too for my smoker one day. i used the racks out of it also, the food rack is what i made my ABT rack from, the lava rock rack is what i use in my firebox for the charcoal/wood to sit on.

 

WOW You guy`s & gals really are the best !! you`ll are a inspiration to me !!!
DEBI,
As for looking for those metal scrap pieces ,,,check you`r local welding supplie shops for the guy`s that are fabricators in your area ,, Explain to them what you`r doin and what you`r looking for ....also bring some pics with you ....a little show & tell , that will really tickle them...you know what i mean !!! ok tc and good luck searching....
Looking forward to updates & pics .....charlie

 

Debi..
If you can't find the expanded metal you want....take some measurements...and check out Wally World...Home Depot...they have a variety of replacement charcoal and cooking grates that just might work....would be an easy fix..later on... when they wear out...than trying to have a custom made one out of hard to fine material for ya...