First Smoker Project

Intro: First Smoker Project

This is my first smoker project.  This was a fun project for never having welded before.  I used a Lincoln Power Mig 256.  I am trying to find someone to do a high heat powdercoat on it.  That is the only photos I dont have.  I did find out that on this type of project you really need a 7" angle grinder.  I had a 4 1/2" but it just took too long to grind the welds and edges down.  I have done two briskets and about
5-6 racks of ribs and a few chickens.  Once you get it set right it holds the temperatue very well, even in cold weather. 

Comments

[jgarner111]

Hey snake eater, I see you were 5th SF, I was in the 5th in71-72 and then off to the 7th and 10th for quite a while. I got out in 89. Please to meet you....I'm looking to build a two barrel smoker and checking different plans out. De oppress Liber!!!

[Snake Eater 5th]

Hey brother, I dont check this too often just too busy. Glad to make your acquaintance. I was in 5th from 90 to 98 then 1/10 from 99-02 DOL

[spankywest]

I would love to know the dimensions and parts list. This is exactly what I want to build.

[Snake Eater 5th]

I actually bought the plans at smokerplans.net, however I have found some programs which tells you the dimensions you need based on the main chamber size you use. I bought the plans since I had someone cut the materials and bend them for me. I think once you start smoking with it you will love it. I know I do.

Good luck

[jfloate]

You built this a year ago, how are the air tires holding up? If you had to do it over again, would you use casters instead?

[Snake Eater 5th]

The first set I had on there broke down so I replaced them with another set of tires. When I have it where I want it I take the tires off of it and set it on blocks. This actually works better for me since it lowers the height of the smoker a few inches.

[jfloate]

ok then! lol It's a very nice build. Did you ever find a powder coat guy?

[Snake Eater 5th]

I did and had it done in bronze with a high heat, however, the powder coat did not take very well and the guy who did it flaked on me and never made good on the repairs. Don't matter because it still makes great smoked meat. The only thing I can recommend is be sure you can find the type of wood you want to smoke with as I am having a hard time finding anything but apple. This started out as a charcoal burner but I quickly changed to a stick burner as its easier (or so I thought) and cheaper than charcoal.

Thank you for the comments.

[Snake Eater 5th]

I put the chimney where it is because I have a baffel plate which extends from the firebox end to about 42" down the main chamber. This is to provide a more even heat and to direct the smoke over the meats. This is a reverse flow smoker and if you look online you can see the design. I have smoked meat starting at about 0300 and 5 degrees and once it got to temperature it held the temp throughout the smokeing which was about 11 hrs. I just added charcoal and wood for flavor.

[motorman818]

Love the design, this is slightly inspiring to me because I want to build an offset rig like this, but I'd use it more so for barbequeing and less for smoking. Only, I was thinking, wouldn't it have been smarter to put the chimney on the opposite side of the firebox ? So then the heat has to go to the other side of the smoker to be sucked out. Which would create a draft. It seems like to me in your design the heat would just want to rise right out the chimney because it is right above where the heat comes out of your firebox.