It's finally done, well almost done (400 gallon offset) Pics

gearguru · Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 10 Location: North Georgia

Okay, so from a previous post I made some mods based on some sound advice from several of the true gurus here. I will fire her up Wed to try to map the temps out and hopefully be happy where they land, then it's off to the sandblaster and paint. Let me know any advice you have on any other mods you see. This is my first tank smoker build and I'm learning as I go. (yes I had a lot of fab help on this, I am not even close to this on my own) Yet Razz

Reggae Q · Posted: Sep 17 2007 Post subject:

Looks great!!!

Can't really find anything I'd change. If you had the opportunity to double lip the doors I would but they look like they fit. (unlike other threads Very Happy

)

Once again, nice job. How long did it take?

BBQMAN · Posted: Sep 17 2007 Post subject:

Looks like you did a great job! Very Happy

You might want to consider some L (when turned on its side) shaped brackets mounted as shelf top guides. Prevents the racks from tipping out when heavily loaded.

Where in North Georgia are you? OOPS, Sorry, I checked your past posts and I see Cummings. We travel right by on our way to the Blue Ridge/Epworth area where we have property. Beautiful area!
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broncosmoker · BBQ Pro Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 717

Gearguru,

Great looking pit, we are in the design stage of ur smoker right now and that makes me get excited on the fab stage. Really look forward to the winter to d ours.

Is the bracket out the back of the cooking chamber for a license plate?

krek · BBQ Fan Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Posts: 233 Location: Missouri

I'm asking this because I don't know, not because I'm being critical. Smile

With the firebox on one end of the tank, why have stacks on both ends of the cooking chamber?

I see tuning plates, is this set up as a reverse flow cooker?
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gearguru · Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 10 Location: North Georgia

Nobody concern themselves about any constructive criticism, it's welcomed as I'm a babe in the woods here.

When I got the tank, the doors had already been cut by a friend who was going to make it into a propane powered chicken cooker. I just couldn't let her end up that way. (besides I already have on of those Razz

) He did do a really good job of keeping the doors tight however. Probably should have addeds some flat stock on the doors to help seal them up, I'll probably go back and add that but they were a tight fit and well, I just want to get cooking in it.

The racks actually have a underside track they ride in and they won't tip even at full extension. My buddy fab'd that out. Other than being just a little higher than I hoped, I thought they turned out well.

The bracket coming off the chamber was some scrap I threw on for a license plate and tailight bracket. Thought it would get too hot beside the firebox.

I added a second stack so that I can use it as a reverse flow if I wanted or needed to. Hope to use mostly as a traditonal offset with tuning plates but they can be slide fully together to use as a reverse. Don't know why I did it, just thought, hey what if?

Thanks for the comments Gents...

Reggae Q · Posted: Sep 17 2007 Post subject:

Actually not a bad idea giving the option of an offset or a reverse flow.

Now, get it painted and post some pics Very Happy

jvreeland · Posted: Sep 17 2007 Post subject:

Great Looking Pics!!
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gearguru · Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 10 Location: North Georgia

After a long delay, I finally got to fire her up this morning, did a test run for 4 hours to map out the temps.

I was amazed, with 4 temperature gauges along the grates, I showed only a 15 degree variation end to end. It drew well and once at temp, she held for 3 hours right at 240 deg. with a start of about 6lbs of rancher coals and a few good size sticks of red oak. Ran solid temp needing a good sized piece of oak every 40 minutes or so. Tuning plates were butted together for first two and then 1/4" and slightly larger on each of the next ones. Only made one adjustment along the cook to even out the firebox end.

Only found one problem, my firebox door was made of dual sheets of 10 gauge and tried to warp when hot at the corners. The dual 10 gauge box held up well for the 4 hours. I located a piece of 1/2" deck plating from an old walkway and guess I'll fab out a new door this week to fix that, otherwise I'm happy as a pig in mud! This friday I have 10 shoulders to cook for a masonic lodge and just to make sure, I'm going to do some chickens and ribs later this week to make sure all stays well in the temp arena.

Thanks to Alien for some sound advice on some mods as well as some of the other truly experienced ones here.

I may be living proof that even a blind squirell finds a nut every now and then.

goodbbq · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

You have put alot of thought into how you wanted your smoker to turn out. I think you will have many years of fun and good eats. Great Job! I know your looking forward to trying it out! Very Happy

Bbq Bubba · Posted: Sep 24 2007 Post subject:

One of the nicest pit's i've seen in a while............functional and good lookin!! Would like to see it finished!! Cool