Does anybody have plans for an offset

Muscle Head BBQ · Posted: Mar 30 2008 Post subject: Does anybody have plans for an offset

Does anybody have plans for an offset smoker that they want to share with me. My friend owns a steel mfg shop and told me I can build my own smoker at his shop if i would like. I can have all the scrap material i want or i can buy material at his cost. I don't know how to weld but i took welding shop back in high school and think i can learn. I am interested in something that would fit on an 5x8 single Axel trailer. On second thought if it doesn't fit on my trailer I will have to build one to put it on or purchase one.

flex............
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Muscle Head BBQ
Stumps GF223 with Stoker
Lone Star by Bates offset
Hasty-Bake Legacy
Webber Kettle
Beverage-Air Kegerator

SoEzzy · Posted: Mar 30 2008 Post subject:

Take a look through the cookers section, there are lots of descriptions and pictures of dfferent pits, there is a sticky at the top of the page with different sets on the same thread, smokers of the ring by JeffT.
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Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

Muscle Head BBQ · Posted: Mar 30 2008 Post subject:

OK I will do that. I just need some help getting started with some dimensions of the main chamber and the fire box. I like the Lone-star pits, and the Diamond Plate products. Looking to build something that has even temps throughout. I sure wish some of you experienced builders lived near by. If I would have met my new friend 2 years ago I would have done this already and not spent thousands of $$ on other smokers.

flex........
_________________
Muscle Head BBQ
Stumps GF223 with Stoker
Lone Star by Bates offset
Hasty-Bake Legacy
Webber Kettle
Beverage-Air Kegerator

Tom C · Posted: Mar 30 2008 Post subject:

Flex,

There are some basic plans at this site:

http://www.oscarenterprises.f2s.com/build_a_pit.html

Are you located in California? I'm in Northern Ca., in the Redding area. Don't know how far that is from you though.

I have many photos of my smoker during the build that I can share with you. Also, I can supply measurements if it would help you. I used tuning plates in my smoker that allows for even heat across the cooking section.

Let me know if I can help.
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Homemade offset smoker 24"x48"
Charbroil CB900 grill

Muscle Head BBQ · Posted: Mar 30 2008 Post subject:

Hi Tom, I am located in Stockton which is about 30-40 mile south of Sac.

flex.......................
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Muscle Head BBQ
Stumps GF223 with Stoker
Lone Star by Bates offset
Hasty-Bake Legacy
Webber Kettle
Beverage-Air Kegerator

mrcustomsteel · Posted: Mar 31 2008 Post subject:

Flex, you're in a great spot with your friend to help. Ask him to spend about an hour refresher with you on a MIG and and torch cutting and the sky is the limit. Tons of great pics of homebuilts on here. Your friend can probably help you copy anything you find, with the possible exception of havc's contraption. That thing's like the space shuttle.
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D. Tillery
Texan transplanted in Billings, MT
www.mrcustomsteel.com

jess · Posted: Mar 31 2008 Post subject:

Mr. Csteel. Not trying to hijack this thread but the 8' pc. of ss. pipe that was on another thread from e-bay -I did not meet the reserve but was the highest bidder so the seller contacted me and we emed back & forth. Bottom line he sent some better pics that show a slight yellow/greenish look. I am thinking this might be monel, I am supposed to meet him and work a deal on thurs.. Do you know any simple tests for monel, & how does it react to heat as aposed to ss? Any help really appreciated...

mrcustomsteel · Posted: Mar 31 2008 Post subject:

Jess, I don't know much about monel. I searched around and found out a few things. Check out this link: http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Seawater/monel.htm

The thing that catches my attention there is the propensity for galvanic corrosion. That means that you will need to use monel wire and monel everything else when you put it together.

The good thing is that it appears to patina to green so you will have a smoker the color of the Statue of Liberty! That color might be your best indication that it is monel.

Hopefully someone else knows more about it and will chime in. I'd like to know more too.
_________________
D. Tillery
Texan transplanted in Billings, MT
www.mrcustomsteel.com

Muscle Head BBQ · Posted: Mar 31 2008 Post subject:

I wish I was so lucky. My friend is part owner of the shop, he has 40 workers that do all the welding so I will have to learn from one of them since he doesn't weld. The ggod thing is Ihave access to a plasma cutter and a mig.

flex..............
_________________
Muscle Head BBQ
Stumps GF223 with Stoker
Lone Star by Bates offset
Hasty-Bake Legacy
Webber Kettle
Beverage-Air Kegerator

Jeff T · Posted: Mar 31 2008 Post subject:

Sounds like your open to suggestions so what i would do first is figure out how big of a cooker you want, how many people you most often plan to feed, if you might be interested in comps or catering farther down the line, questions like that first.
I have a DPP Big 40 (my avatar) great style of cooker very even heat from side to side, a reverse flow is good too, ok joe style offset cookers have been the staple for years. Cabinet style stump clones work awesome too. Look around at the slide shows see what interests you, and go from there. Having access to a fab shop with tools, steel and some know how to guide you through is half the battle solved.
The rest....just fake it till ya make it. Steel is forgiving. Welding & cutting heavy steel isn't that hard. If it don't move, heat it up more and use a bigger hammer. Wink

Good luck