Tom' s Build

[wtphillips]

I am building a reverse flow offset smoker. I have a 100 gal propane tank (almost empty!) and a Firefox I built.
The tank is 15in dia and about 40in long. The fireboxis 16in wide,12in dp, and 12.5in tall. These should marry up at FB about 33% volume of CC.
I am using thr FB door as the intake air damper. BTW, is the term 'dam' the same as damper?
I do not completely understand the Daveomac tutorial. My questions here regard the RF plate size and location as well as those for the FB. I know the info is there but clarity for me is lacking.
Any education is appreciated.

Regards, FNG

 

[Fueling Around]

Really nice looking firebox.
The only pertinent piece of info I remember from Dave's (RIP) posts was to have separate upper and lower firebox vents. Lower controls the fire and upper controls the airflow

 

[wtphillips]

Built it before I found this forum!

 

[SMOKEOCD]

Wow I love that adjuster on the firebox!

 

[wtphillips]

The adjuster is a sacrificed 5 inch Harbor Freight c clamp (note the pivot) and silly welding bits. It swings out of the way to fully open the door when the slide is retracted.

 

[seenred]

Hi Tom! That FB is a thing of beauty!

A couple of important calculations in this kind of build are the ratio of volumes between the FB and the cook chamber...which, since you've already built the FB, that's too late to change. The other is the total area of the opening between the FB and the CC, which I'll assume you can still control. Lots of pit builders use the door for air intake - I expect that should work fine.

TBH, I never tried to use Dave's calculator formulas...his math skills were way over my head lol! And unfortunately, the pit calculator I liked is not available anymore.

If you're struggling to make sense of Dave's formulas, you might try this one:

Feldon's BBQ Pit Builder Calculator

It's very straightforward - you just plug in your dimensions and the calculator does everything else.

Gool luck with the build! I hope you'll post a build thread so we can all follow along!

Red

 

[wtphillips]

I have finally used up the propane in the tank and can proceed with this smoker build. Thinking I want a smaller smoker as the cooks will be just for me and my wife. Upon cutting the top from the tank, there is a nice registration ring that will keep the cylinder round when shortening the length by 9 inches. I have used the cut end to make the firebox opening before rewelding to the tank.
This will be a reverse flow smoker and I am using Dave's formulas for size guides. WIP and this is all for now.

 

[seenred]

Looks great so far - you're off to a good start!

Red

 

[dward51]

That screw adjustment on the firebox door is genius! I've seen notched door latch dogs, but that is a new one!

 

[wtphillips]

Finally finished my smoker. It was a lot more work than I anticipated. About 70% of the metal was recycled, so that also contributed to the labor. Thanks for the advice and encouragement! (I built the FrankenSolo fire starter from a mop bucket several years ago)

 

[Fueling Around]

Nice
Have done the maiden cook?

 

[seenred]

That thing looks awesome Tom! Very nice job Sir! Can't wait to see you cook on that thing!

Red

 

[wtphillips]

Thanks for the kind words from the experts! Did a few chicken quarters that I deboned today. They were definitely good and had plenty of smoke. It will be a learning curve to maintain an even temperature though.

 

[Winterrider]

I like it

 

[realdocBBQ]

Really nice! Great work, Tom!

Just as a notation, for those who might be coming after, I think this is a 100 POUND propane tank, not a 100 GALLON. My 80-gallon pit is 20" diameter and 60" long (84 gallon, I think). No biggie, just nomenclature so people can keep them straight - propane companies keep us all off balance, switching between pounds and gallons, etc. It's st00pid.

But really, great job man!

 

[SMOKEOCD]

The adjuster is a sacrificed 5 inch Harbor Freight c clamp (note the pivot) and silly welding bits. It swings out of the way to fully open the door when the slide is retracted.

This will be my adjuster, bought the wheel and had tri-clamp beer fittings laying around. Would not have come up with it on my own. Thanks!

 

[wtphillips]

I never thought the adjuster would garner any attention. I am happy someone else likes the design!