Building another smoker...

Philly Single · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 25

Hey guys....I don't post much - but have been looking around for a long time and used alot of tips and pit calculators to build my first insulated smoker - so thanks!

I thought I'd post up my latest project to see if there were any suggestions along the way, always looking for improvements Very Happy

This build is just for the hell of it, just wanted to build one...I'll end up putting it up on eBay, craigslist, etc...once it's done. Wifey would kill me if I kept both smokers, hahaa!!

Here are the basics:

Smoker chamber and firebox will be made out of 3/8" steel.

Smoke chamber is 30" Long x 22" wide.

Just got started over the last 2 weekends...looking forward to getting more work on it done Smile

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Homebuilt Insulated 60" smoker
1994 Toyota Supra 377" SBC | 106mm | Drag Radial
Mercedes S65

purplewg · Posted: Jul 23 2010 Post subject:

Nice job so far. Just my personal opinion but I think 3/8 steel is overkill. 1/4 inch is plenty. Now if the 3/8 is free or almost then that is different. 1/4 is a bit easier to work with also. Just my $.02. Laughing

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The Wild Pig build.
My UDS Build.

Don't squat with your spurs on.........

k.a.m. · Posted: Jul 24 2010 Post subject:

Philly Single, your off to a great start. Very Happy

The .375 wall pipe will make a fine cooker, that is what the one in my signature is made of. I will be watching for more updates. Very Happy

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

cityevader · Posted: Jul 24 2010 Post subject:

I'd like to see it all at once, but the pictures are too huge. Could you resize them to fit better?
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Since Christ DIED for us, we should LIVE for Him!

To make the ° temperature symbol, hold the Alt key while typing 248 on keypad.
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Philly Single · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 25

Yeah, sorry about the gigantor pics...these should now fit more nicely.

Well, the local metal yard never has any .250" pipe, so they give me the .375" for the same price. It should smoke smooth and hold a good temp Smile

But very heavy!

It's been so friggin hot here in S NJ for weeks on end, progress is slow. I cut out the door for the smoke chamber for about 30min yesterday and I was SOAKED...and today it's even hotter.

Jay
_________________
Homebuilt Insulated 60" smoker
1994 Toyota Supra 377" SBC | 106mm | Drag Radial
Mercedes S65

cityevader · Posted: Jul 24 2010 Post subject:

So far so good!
I'm curious what the load rating on those casters are?
_________________
Since Christ DIED for us, we should LIVE for Him!

To make the ° temperature symbol, hold the Alt key while typing 248 on keypad.
.

Philly Single · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 25

Thanks!

They're 3" casters and load rating was 225lbs / each I believe.

Jay
_________________
Homebuilt Insulated 60" smoker
1994 Toyota Supra 377" SBC | 106mm | Drag Radial
Mercedes S65

roscoe1960 · Posted: Jul 25 2010 Post subject:

Nice job Jay, really looking good Cool

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I'm not 50 yrs. old I'm 21 with 29 yrs. experience.
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Philly Single · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 25

Few more pictures...

Obviously need to trip up those lips a bit...should look good once I grind everything down a bit.

Thinking about swapping out those casters...spec wise, they fit the bill...but I think a nice set of big 'ol tires will look much cooler Very Happy

Jay

_________________
Homebuilt Insulated 60" smoker
1994 Toyota Supra 377" SBC | 106mm | Drag Radial
Mercedes S65

k.a.m. · Posted: Aug 10 2010 Post subject:

Jay, your cooker is looking nice. Very Happy

Everything is fitting well. I look forward to seeing some more pics and updates. Very Happy

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

ridgerunner · Posted: Aug 10 2010 Post subject:

Looking good. I saw some steel at a machine shop in town that I thought would make a nice cooker.
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purplewg · Posted: Aug 10 2010 Post subject:

Sweet deal on the 3/8 steel. 3/8 for 1/4 price is nice. When ever I go to buy steel locally I take a jar of Vaseline in with me cause it know what is coming next.

Look forward to seeing more pics as you progress.
_________________
The Wild Pig build.
My UDS Build.

Don't squat with your spurs on.........

Philly Single · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 25

Finally got the ends welded on the main chamber. The second circle I cut came out MUCH better than the first Wink

Ha, nothing an hour or two of grinding won't fix up Very Happy

The first circle / end plate cut and welded on.

Second cutout...a little cleaner.

_________________
Homebuilt Insulated 60" smoker
1994 Toyota Supra 377" SBC | 106mm | Drag Radial
Mercedes S65

Philly Single · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 25

Going to make a locking handle to pull it in tight and seal it with stove pipe gasket Smile

_________________
Homebuilt Insulated 60" smoker
1994 Toyota Supra 377" SBC | 106mm | Drag Radial
Mercedes S65

k.a.m. · Posted: Aug 30 2010 Post subject:

Philly, your moving right along and your cooker is looking fantastic. Very Happy

I suggest if you did not plan on it placing a bridge at the bottom of the cooking chamber where the firebox and chamber connect.This will keep the drippings out of the firebox and help stop grease fires. You might have to increase your hole size left to right for this but it will be worth it.
I look forward to seeing some more pics and updates. Smile

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

broncosmoker · BBQ Pro Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 717

Nice looking cooker you got going on there. MMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm Supra, except the SBC..what happen to the 2jz?

Philly Single · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 25

k.a.m. - thanks for the comments Smile

You're talking about adding a lip of sorts where they meet to prevent grease from getting into the fire, right? I plan on drilling a hole w/valve for draining grease as well... Thanks for the tip - I'll get at it this coming weekend!

broncosmoker - thanks! Haha...yeah, the Supra has really come in an odd direction. I put a rod through the 2JZ over 3yrs ago - but it ran strong - constant 10.0x - 10.1x on a stock Toyota motor. That let go and I worked a deal on this setup: 377" sbc, 106mm turbo, 'glide, etc....its an animal.

Jay
_________________
Homebuilt Insulated 60" smoker
1994 Toyota Supra 377" SBC | 106mm | Drag Radial
Mercedes S65

k.a.m. · Posted: Aug 30 2010 Post subject:

Philly, yes a bridge at the firebox end of the cooker will keep any grease that does not drain out away from the firebox. I even have one on the R/F build in case the guys forget to relieve the grease in the plate and it flows under.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

Philly Single · Newbie Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Posts: 25

A few more pics...getting there Very Happy

Cooking grate, v1.0 - I'll probably end up putting a support or two under the grate and of course grinding it all pretty like Wink

Stack is on too, you can see the edges of the grate...need to clean that up before she's ready to go.

Not super thrilled with the grate in the firebox...may end up redesigning.

Almost...

_________________
Homebuilt Insulated 60" smoker
1994 Toyota Supra 377" SBC | 106mm | Drag Radial
Mercedes S65

k.a.m. · Posted: Oct 04 2010 Post subject:

Jay, Your almost there. Very Happy

That will make someone a nice backyard cooker. I will be watching for more pics and updates. Very Happy

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker