FNG ... Smoker build - 4-2-12 Update- Paint/Stainless top.

pyronoel · Last edited by pyronoel on Apr 02 2012; edited 32 times in total

Hello all,

A FNG here. Have been reading through a lot of builds here, lots of great info!

Got a well pressure tank the other day, hope to start cutting on it this weekend. It's not as thick as a propane tank, but I think it should do ok.

Plan on using 1/4" round pipe for the fire box.

Reverse Flow looks to be the way to go to keep the temps even.

I pick up the trailer monday that I'll be using.

Here's the tank:

Jon D. Q. · Posted: Jan 30 2010 Post subject:

Welcome to the " Ring". I look forward to following your build. What dimensions do you have on that tank? If you have been lurking here you have probably already realized that pictures are a must.

pyronoel · Posted: Jan 30 2010 Post subject:

Jon, yes, I have been lurking.

roughly 26x67.

There is a yard up the street that handles steel pipe, a friend went up there and they gave him scraps big enough to build his. I'm hoping for the same.

-That smoker ratio calculator is going to be very helpfull.

pyronoel · Posted: Jan 30 2010 Post subject:

Ok, here's a question....

If I build this as a RF style (looks like a good idea for even heat) - Does the calculation need to be adjusted for the added distance of travel for the smoke, and temperature decrease during that travel?

Found this in another thread:
""Alien recommends using 1/20th the volume of your firebox as a starting point for your stack volume. He also suggests that the length of your stack should be approximately 3/4 the length of your smokebox for proper draw. Assuming you are making a round cooker, then your firebox is a little big and a 3x36" stack would be about right. If you cut that to two 18" stacks then the air flow through each will be cut in half, and may not move fast enough for proper draw. ""

pyronoel · Posted: Feb 01 2010 Post subject:

Progress

All pictures:
http://noelmg.smugmug.com/Other/Smoker-Build-Start-Jan-10/11104373_Ee54r#777751922_iPGSE

The hinges ore on, the door is cut. Next step is flat steel for the door seals and add some rigidity to the thin door.

Slow going, but progress is being made.

And here is my helper, donning her #5 welding glasses to watch from the clubhouse.

Brians_45 · Posted: Feb 01 2010 Post subject:

Looks like she is the supervisor, not the helper! Very Happy

I like that door handle, too!

k.a.m. · Posted: Feb 01 2010 Post subject:

Welcome to the ring pyronoel, looking forward to seeing some pics of your cooks. Smile

And following your cooker build.
On the R/F I am building now I went with a slightly bigger fire box and also increased the intakes. I did this because I wanted to mainly, but also I wanted to make sure in any condition the cooker had what it needed to perform.
I do not think adjustments are needed for the R/F design as far as the calculator goes.
Cool pic of your helper Cool

I am sure she knows not to sneak a peek of daddy welding without her shades on.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

pyronoel · Posted: Feb 02 2010 Post subject:

Just picked up the trailer...

3,000lb GVR, 700lb empty

Jon D. Q. · Posted: Feb 02 2010 Post subject:

Your 26" diameter is plenty large enough for 2 racks inside of it. Are you planning on rotating the tank to bring the door cuts to 12 and 3 o'clock or 1 and 4 o'clock. Although your present orientation looks like it would be perfect for a single rack smoker with your intended purpose being smoking turkeys. Your helper looks very intriuged.Good luck to you as you proceed.

pyronoel · Posted: Feb 02 2010 Post subject:

John,

The way it is rotated is not the way it will be.

The cut is actually about a 55 deg opening. If you look at the picture, it would rotate quite a bit towards you. The plan is 2 racks. I have some uni-strut to use for the grate-drawer guides, should work nicely, if I can get that paint sandblasted off.

Grates will be split down the middle.

pyronoel · Posted: Feb 04 2010 Post subject:

30 gallon air compressor tank for a fire box obtained this week. Decided to cut the end flat and weld on a plate.

Tonight we got the firebox squared up and tacked to the trailer. Smoker cut, and awaiting daylight to weld to the trailer.

Here's my ugly mug about 45 minutes ago.... brrrrr

pyronoel · Posted: Mar 01 2010 Post subject:

Snow has come and gone, and I was finally able to make progress this weekend.

The picture in the post before shows the orientation of Plan A. After talking with Jon, I changed it. Rotated it to be able to have a larger 2nd shelf. -This meant patching the big gaping hole. Still have some grinding and a little more filler to add, but it's coming along.

Tank is now on the trailer with 1 support, will add more down the line as I add other components to the trailer.

Jon D. Q. · Posted: Mar 02 2010 Post subject:

I am glad that the weather has gotten a little better for you. I hope you enjoy your build and keep posting the pics. You know how we love them.

Wreckless · Posted: Mar 02 2010 Post subject:

pyronoel · Posted: Mar 02 2010 Post subject:

The uni-strut isn't galv, but it does have a thick paint coating that is harder to get off than I thought it would be.... so I won't be using it. I'll just use angle iron.

pyronoel · Posted: Mar 04 2010 Post subject: RF Plate Question.....

I'm trying to build on a budget using as much material on hand as possible...

I have some ~12 gauge steel that is the right size.

Just how important to even heat does the thickness of the RF plate come into play?

Jon D. Q. · Posted: Mar 04 2010 Post subject:

I know someone who is builing now and has enough of the thinner material to put down a double thickness of it about 2/3rd's of the way down the length of the reverse flow plate coming off the firebox end. He is not done yet so it remains top be seen how it works out. But that does not answer your question actually.

k.a.m. · Posted: Mar 05 2010 Post subject:

pyronoel, my worry would be more that the thinner metal at the fire box end will probably distort from the incoming heat.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

pyronoel · Posted: Mar 06 2010 Post subject:

Picking up a 2x4' piece of 1/4" plate for $50 today for the RF plate.

Finally found a steel yard that doesn't mark up the small pieces. One plate I called wanted $79, another wanted $102

pyronoel · Posted: Mar 07 2010 Post subject:

Progress...

Yesterday we got the 1/4" RF plate in place. If has about 1.25" rise from firebox to far side. At the firebox end, we have 2 plates at an angle to form a drain... still a bit more shaping before we cut the firebox hole, and weld these into place.

Rain predicted for the next week, so the door got moved up on the to-do list.

The door had gone out of round, so I made 2 ribs. I traced the inside of the drum at the door cut to get the right curve, then forced them onto the lid. I still need to reinforce the lid, and the drum around the hinges.

The 1.5" border around the door is on, and everything came out as planned.

Pictures: