My smoker build

[Hydrant]

Finally getting to a reverse smoker build that’s been waiting for time to complete. I’d like to thank all the ppl on this forum forum for the valuable information. The calculator has taken care of my functional concerns, and any questions I’ve had for the most part have been answered with just clicking around.

My project started with my friend getting a deal on a 60 gal compressor only to find out the bottom of the vessel was rusted out. So we took off the pump and motor and I’ve got a tank I need to do something with!

After some figuring I came up with this on the calculator. I some additional design questions.

1. I thought I remember reading that the min exhaust pipe dia should be 4inch pipe? I cant remember where I read that but you’ll notice I’ve got 3 inch entered in the calculator b/c I already own a bunch of 3 inch I’d like to use. Is 3 inch ok?

2. When building baffle plates is there any guidelines as to height, slope,any additional openings and size of them along the length of the plate?

Here is the beginning of the fb....

[Big T]

It looks like you're off to a great start and your numbers are right on the money. The intake is almost twice the recommended size which is fine but I would make 2 of them about half of your current size, one on each side of the FB so that you'll have options if the wind starts blowing in the intake. 3'' will work fine at that length so no problems there. I saw your comment on the other thread about the height of the BP so if you need any more help on that just ask. I like to mount the BP level end to end and front to back with a 2'' grease dam at the BP gap and a 2'' drain. I use flat plate with no channel down the middle or bends in it.

[Hydrant]

It looks like you're off to a great start and your numbers are right on the money. The intake is almost twice the recommended size which is fine but I would make 2 of them about half of your current size, one on each side of the FB so that you'll have options if the wind starts blowing in the intake. 3'' will work fine at that length so no problems there. I saw your comment on the other thread about the height of the BP so if you need any more help on that just ask. I like to mount the BP level end to end and front to back with a 2'' grease dam at the BP gap and a 2'' drain. I use flat plate with no channel down the middle or bends in it.

Thanks for the reply. I see my issue with the intake now thank for pointing that out. An easy fix now. Not quite sure what I was thinking when I decided on those measurements.

Would you make the BP gap the same size as the throat opening?

Is there any holes in the BP for smoke, along its length, or only the one BP gap on the opposite end from the firebox?

[Big T]

I do make the BP gap the same as the throat, it can be up to 25% smaller but not any larger. The BP is a solid plate with no holes just the BP gap.

[Hydrant]

I do make the BP gap the same as the throat, it can be up to 25% smaller but not any larger. The BP is a solid plate with no holes just the BP gap.

Love it. Thanks a ton!

[Big T]

You're welcome

[Cole]

Looks good

[Hydrant]

Looks good

Thanks, I’m having fun!

[Hydrant]

Got a little more done today.

[Big T]

[Pete Mazz]

[Rodcrafter]

You are on the way! Nice work!


Making memories!

[ajfoxy]

Yes, coming along nicely. One step closer to Q-view...

[Dirtytires]

It’s gonna look nice....

[Hydrant]

Thanks for the replies of encouragement. It was a late night with beers amd friends amd my son had hockey at 0630 this morning so taday is a research day!

I went back and looked at a bunch of the builds posted (thanks to all involved as I’m still learning and poaching ideas!)

I noticed ppl are building cabinets overtop the firebox. What’s the idea. Garlic toast!? How hot would this oven get during normal operation of the smoker?

[Big T]

They were originally warming cabinets that used radiant heat from the FB to heat them and guys would store food in them when it was done. Now they are putting baffled openings between the FB/WC and CC/WC and they can cook in several different configurations.

[Rodcrafter]

The plus to doing this is the heat and smoke are like a free-be cause it is already being heated by the offset design.

[Hydrant]

So I decided I may add the warming cabinet as it just kinda seems to make sense. But that’ll come last if I want it when the smoker section is complete.

Got a little work done on the firebox basket today. Pretty discouraging work day on the smoker today actually. I couldn’t find my center finder, somehow destroyed a blade on my saw and faught like crazy trying to keep the basket squared up while tacking it up. Somehow I still managed to weld it up kinda wonky. I also accidently cut a 45 where I meant to cut a 90 at the frony of the basket, and ran out of angle with one piece left! Couldn’t get a break!

Anyway here’s some pics of the general idea. The basket will be hanging from the angle inside the box, approximately an inch off the bottom of the FB, and will slide out for lighting and cleaning.

[Big T]

We all have days like that at some point during a build. You'll need more than an inch of clearance between the fire basket and floor of the FB or the ash build up will choke out the fire. Also an ash pan is a great feature, it makes cleaning a breeze. I'm not sure how big your fire basket is going to be but it doesn't have to be huge, these things don't require a very large fire to maintain temp.

[Weldun]

Looking good! some days just go that way, I guess that's why we appreciate the ones that don't go that way.

[Hydrant]

We all have days like that at some point during a build. You'll need more than an inch of clearance between the fire basket and floor of the FB or the ash build up will choke out the fire. Also an ash pan is a great feature, it makes cleaning a breeze. I'm not sure how big your fire basket is going to be but it doesn't have to be huge, these things don't require a very large fire to maintain temp.

Ya, I’m old enough to know that I should just quit and start again another day but still to stubborn!

Good to know I’ll need more than the 1 inch. The basket is 10 inches high and I’ve got 12 inches to the bottom of the gap so I’ve got some wiggle room.

I spent all day thinking I should keep the basket as big as I could!

[Hydrant]

I picked this up for the FB door today too. Hitting the metal supermarket tomorrow and getting the angle I ran out of, and hopefully a more productive day.

[Big T]

Nice I done the same thing with my first one and then I realized that my fire was in the corner of my basket and the rest was empty.

[Rodcrafter]

Looking good!

[Hydrant]

Thanks for the replies. I got a little more done today. I shopped for some material, amd castors. Got everything I needed except the center finder.
Finished welding out the basket, cut the door and started the door seal.