24x48 Smoker Design and Build

[mxdev]

Been lurking for a while and now that I have the majority of my materials, I'm getting ready to start.

Starting materials are 120 gallon vertical air receiver.
86.5" x 25.75" sheet of 7/32 plate
96" x 25.75 sheet of 7/32 plate

120 gallon is a bit bigger than I need, so I'm planning on cutting the bells off and only using 48" of the shell. Extra parts of the shell will be used for CC door lip, and filling up bung cut outs.

I was considering a large FB, to reduce cuts on the plate, but I've been leaning back to following the calculator. I was considering reducing number of cuts on the plate to use 25.75" as one dimmension, but always seems like I end up with an awkward shape. Current plan is 19.75" x 19.75" x 19.75", but was considering 25.75" (l) x 20" (w) x 15" (h) or 25.75" (l) x 17.25" (w) x 17.25 (h)

Right now, my plan has 21,714cuin CC, with 7,703cuin FB (106.5%) with a 60sqin throat and 23sqin intake to stay close to the calculator.

I'm figuring a 3" grease/water dam, and 6.25" FB height giving about 61sqin throat size.

I've been going back and forth between using a bottom FB exhaust and tuning plates, or a top FB exhaust with a baffle. I'm heavily leaning towards tuning plates because it's a relatively small 90 gallon CC and will afford me more control after building.

Any opinions or feedback before I fire up the torch would be awesome.

[SeenRed]

Looks like you're off to a great start! Pretty close in size to the pit I'm working on right now - although mine's a Reverse Flow.

Looking forward to watching your progress!

Red

[mxdev]

Thanks SeenRed, been following your build as well picking up ideas and different comments on cut locations and overall design to apply to mine.

[Dirtytires]

Every design is a bit different and is filled with compromises. Three inches is a lot of vertical space to take up for a grease dam and really only needs to be a out an inch or so. I'm not sure anybody actually puts water in the bottom of their pit so the only purpose is to keep grease drippings out of the firebox. Nothing wrong with going bigger if your design allows the space to attach the firebox properly.

[mxdev]

Every design is a bit different and is filled with compromises. Three inches is a lot of vertical space to take up for a grease dam and really only needs to be a out an inch or so. I'm not sure anybody actually puts water in the bottom of their pit so the only purpose is to keep grease drippings out of the firebox. Nothing wrong with going bigger if your design allows the space to attach the firebox properly.

Hmm, I had been using water in my current offset made from 100lb propane tanks, and just assumed it would be useful in a bigger pit too. But that was mostly to provide a heat buffer incase you built too large of a fire, or wanted to rebuild the coal base a bit.

I'll pull back on the dam and pull down the firebox further. Didn't even factor in that a water base wasn't going to be needed on a bigger pit.

[Dirtytires]

I'll not be the one to tell you not to use water but I feel that it is unnecessary if you are able to manage your fire properly. I built mine with the ability to use an inch of water on top of my baffle plate but found it completely unnecessary. I completely loose my bottom heat causing both fuel consumption and cook time increase.

[mxdev]

Been making progress on the build so far. Got the tank cut down to 48", cut out most of the bungs and replaced with donor pieces from the unused part of the tank.

Processed down my plates for the FB and the tank ends. Made a circle cutter from a block of brass and some rod and worked great.

Got the firebox tacked and welded, got the endplates attached to the tank, fitted up the firebox and got it all welded together.

Now I've got to start putting together the base, and figure out how I want to do steering, and fabricate up some hinges so I can get the firebox and cook chamber door cut.

Went with your Dirtytires advice and only have a 1" grease dam, and the throat opening works out to 63-64 "sq.

[Barrion2018]

Looking good!!!

[Pete Mazz]

[SeenRed]

Lookin Good!


Red

[Big T]

[Dirtytires]

You have been busy....lotta work so far.