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Brian Oatway
Joined: 23 Jun 2017
Posts: 16
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 Posted: Thu Aug 24 17 2:27 am Post subject: Just Finished My New Build |
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I've been lurking around here for some time gathering information and ideas for my new BBQ. I've been working on the build all spring/summer and just wrapped it up to the point I can use it last week. First run of 20 racks of spare ribs was on Saturday.
It is 8.5' x 3' with a 36x36x30 insulated fire box centered in the rear and is reverse flow (double reverse flow maybe?).
I was very happy with how it performed, temps even within 7 or 8 degrees across all the lower racks. (I used water trays to keep the temps in the middle down a little bit).
I was also happy with the amount of fuel it used. 4 bags of kingsford for a 1 hour warmup and 6 hour cook plus a few small splits on top.
The only real issue is that the insulated fire box door warps ALOT when hot, so much so I needed to use a big bar clamp to keep it closed. It warps about 3/4", funny thing is it goes right back to dead straight when cool.
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brutus1964
BBQ Pro
Joined: 01 Apr 2014
Posts: 529
Location: Pinson, Tn.
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| Posted: Thu Aug 24 17 7:50 am Post subject: |
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That's a good looking smoker.
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Chargriller
Weber Kettle
Heartland Cookers 36 x 48 Rotisserie
"If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got"- Henry Ford |
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k.a.m.
BBQ Mega Star
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 26009
Location: Southeast Texas.
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| Posted: Sun Aug 27 17 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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Awesomw looking build Brian. 
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Hybrid Cooker |
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Brian Oatway
Joined: 23 Jun 2017
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Mon Aug 28 17 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks all
I have used it a few times now and it seems to be working pretty well. The fire box door still warps, I am going to try welding some big pieces of angle to the inside and see if that helps but I'm thinking the real solution is going to be replace the door with something that is not insulated and only and single layer thick. The doors weighs well over 200lbs so it's not something I'm looking forward to scrapping.
The cooking chamber doors have also moved a little bit, I now have small 1/8" gaps at the bottoms, I don't see any smoke escaping there but I will need to tweak them a bit.
I still have some thinks I need to finish like a shelf on the outside along the front and some other niceties on the trailer but I'm just enjoying using it for now. |
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EightySecond
Joined: 19 Sep 2013
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Wed Aug 30 17 11:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Love those chain handles, looks awesome. Well done. |
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Brian Oatway
Joined: 23 Jun 2017
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Fri Sep 01 17 12:22 am Post subject: |
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| EightySecond wrote: | | Love those chain handles, looks awesome. Well done. |
I'm pretty sure I saw chain handles on here and got the inspiration. I was worried about them not staying cool enough but they are barely warm. |
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Ben17
Joined: 04 Sep 2017
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Tue Sep 05 17 2:51 am Post subject: |
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I am working on a similar build, and I was wondering if you would share how you set up the inside. I am trying to figure out how I will get the heat distribution I am looking for.
Ben |
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Brian Oatway
Joined: 23 Jun 2017
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Wed Sep 06 17 12:07 am Post subject: |
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| Ben17 wrote: | I am working on a similar build, and I was wondering if you would share how you set up the inside. I am trying to figure out how I will get the heat distribution I am looking for.
Ben |
I have a reverse flow plate that is about 6" below the lower cooking level. The plate is pitched to the center of the cooking chamber with a grease drain in the middle.
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Ben17
Joined: 04 Sep 2017
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Wed Sep 06 17 9:03 am Post subject: |
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| Perfect! Thank you! |
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baconX
Joined: 18 Apr 2017
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02 17 12:57 pm Post subject: |
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| That is one nice smoker! Well done |
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Pit Boss
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 04 Sep 2008
Posts: 2362
Location: Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
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| Posted: Fri Nov 03 17 3:57 am Post subject: |
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Looks great.
Show us that firebox door and explain the warp.
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BurnBern
BBQ Fan
Joined: 17 Jul 2015
Posts: 150
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat Nov 04 17 8:38 am Post subject: |
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Really awesome smoker. Well done.
I was wondering how you have your counter weight system set up as I’m looking for a set up for my smoker. Do you have any photos of your system set up.
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Netko
Joined: 11 Oct 2017
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Tue Nov 07 17 2:53 am Post subject: |
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woow this looks great. Nice job. How much time did you spend to build this smoker?
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Brian Oatway
Joined: 23 Jun 2017
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14 17 1:54 am Post subject: |
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| Pit Boss wrote: | Looks great.
Show us that firebox door and explain the warp. |
Thanks Pit Boss
In this pic you can see the top door gap when it is cold:
and in this pic you can see the gap when hot and warped:
There is 3/8" to 1/2" warp across the width of the door. The door is double layer 1/4" plate with 2" of insulation. I think the inner plate is expanding much more than the outer causing the warp.
A pic of the door before the insulation and inner skin were added:
A pic of the door latches and open on the fire box:
I'm thinking of cutting it off and just going with a single layer door out of 3/8"
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Brian Oatway
Joined: 23 Jun 2017
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14 17 2:01 am Post subject: |
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| BurnBern wrote: | Really awesome smoker. Well done.
I was wondering how you have your counter weight system set up as I’m looking for a set up for my smoker. Do you have any photos of your system set up. |
Thanks
This is the best pic of the counterweights I have:
But you can see the here too:
The counter weights on the smaller side doors are just traditional style. The center weight is a cast iron bean pot that is filled with about 80lbs of melted lead. It rides up and down on the rod that opens and closes the stack covers and is attached to the door with wire rope and pullies. It took a bunch of trial and error to get it worked out but it works well and is a little unique. The center door weighs about 100#. |
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Brian Oatway
Joined: 23 Jun 2017
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14 17 2:09 am Post subject: |
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| Netko wrote: | | woow this looks great. Nice job. How much time did you spend to build this smoker? |
I spent all of last summer in my driveway/garage working on it. I built the trailer too. If I had to guess I would say 250hours but that is just a guess.
I still have a few things I want to add to it. Storage bins on either side of the fire box, fold down steps to get up onto the trailer, a Santa Maria style charcoal grill on the front and a couple of big propane burners |
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KMM
Newbie
Joined: 01 May 2016
Posts: 46
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14 17 10:36 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, that door is going to be problematic without some love...in hindsight, you probably should have welded some cross bracing before insulating and closing it up. As a stop gap, you could try welding a couple strips of .25"x 2" A36 in a "x" pattern from corner to corner on the inside of the door. That might be enough to keep it from warping. Kevin may have a better solution, perhaps he will weigh-in. |
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BurnBern
BBQ Fan
Joined: 17 Jul 2015
Posts: 150
Location: UK
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14 17 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Brian Oatway wrote: | | BurnBern wrote: | Really awesome smoker. Well done.
I was wondering how you have your counter weight system set up as I’m looking for a set up for my smoker. Do you have any photos of your system set up. |
Thanks
This is the best pic of the counterweights I have:
But you can see the here too:
The counter weights on the smaller side doors are just traditional style. The center weight is a cast iron bean pot that is filled with about 80lbs of melted lead. It rides up and down on the rod that opens and closes the stack covers and is attached to the door with wire rope and pullies. It took a bunch of trial and error to get it worked out but it works well and is a little unique. The center door weighs about 100#. |
Thank you I especially like the way that you have a rod running through the pot to keep it centralised and steady. I’m going to use that idea on my counter weight that I’m busy with now. Thanks again and well done on your build.
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T00lman
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 2473
Location: warren michigan
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| Posted: Wed Nov 15 17 3:58 am Post subject: |
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WOW makes me realize that I should have payed better attention in shop class . awesome skills you have there !!
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Brian Oatway
Joined: 23 Jun 2017
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Wed Nov 22 17 11:07 pm Post subject: |
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I finally got to take it out on the road for a drive. About 15 miles on the highway.
It pulled pretty well, was very stable behind the truck although I can't say I did an emergency lane change or anything like that. It was pretty windy and I was passed by some trucks/buses with no problems.
On a bumpy back road going maybe 40 it seemed tail heavy to me once it started bouncing up and down over the bumps. It stayed straight just seemed like the ass end was bouncing more than I would have expected.
I still plan to put a Santa Maria grill and a couple of propane burners on the front so that will add a few hundred pounds of tongue weight.
All in all I was happy. |
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