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Its been over a year and all my hard work is paying off every time I get a chance to fire it up. I've learned to cut my splits smaller and that really helped me keep an even temp throughout the cook. I realized to keep this pit at 275* doesn't take much especially in AZ. Heres just a few pictures fr...

I have access to a bunch of free 16" x 3/8" steel pipe at work, would it be worth the effort to build a smaller cooker? I built the big 24x48 that will fit a ton of food but a small one might be nice for smaller cooks. Does anyone have experience with 16" offsets?

I burned a hot and clean fire at 325*+/- so it did not get too smokey, turned out really good and I have lunch for the week now!

Meatloaf today. I used Alton Browns recipe as a starting point and made it my own.

I had to flip the threads around on my fire vent. The threaded coupler went out of shape on me(too hot?!?)and it seized up. So I cut it off and put the threads outside the door and welded a nut on the damper disc. It seems to be a much better design. With the stack damper and FB vent I'm really able...

Alright then, I guess I did it right. A little more work on my fire skills an I should be ready for some serious BBQ

Running fairly even which I'm very happy about but the one thing that's odd is the stack end with the big collector is the hot spot and the center is the cool spot. Those temps are after the pit is up to operating temp and completely warmed up. I even double checked my probes and it's correct

I made a few mods over the last two weeks that should help me out. First I split my logs smaller, like DT said I was way over kill on that. Smaller pieces should help me even out my swings in temp, that and some more practice managing my fires. I added a stack damper, don't know if I needed it but I...

The only pic I got of it, I wish I had more.

It was good, not to smokey, nice bark, the point was awesome and the flat was about average for briskets I've cooked in the past. All in all I consider it a win. But cooking on MY Smoker was very satisfying.

Get you a digital, you can watch your temps from inside the house on your phone. Yep I think I'm going to go that direction in the future. I really need to figure this cooker out and find the "sweet spot" so to speak. I had no idea what the temps were across the grate, but judging by the temps of t...

We made it to the trade off point, the Yoder is on the job so I can cool off.

Update, it's way to freaking hot out here to tend to the smoker, I'm fading fast. So I'm updating my plan. Once I get to 160-165 I'm going to wrap it in butcher paper and finish it in my Yoder 640. The big smoker needs some more fine tuning once it the weather gets better here. I was a little to amb...

I think my splits are to big, I'm getting larger temperature swings than I'd like. Once it's a little later I'll cut them smaller. It's too early to upset the neighbors with a chop saw. Overall it seems to want to run a little hotter than I'd like but not by too much.

Such a great point in the build. Burning in is awesome. Messing around w vents, splits, vents, etc. Have fun! It looks awesome with the linseed oil. Did you hit it w th a torch? Thanks for the complements, I didn't torch it, the smoker was sitting in the AZ sun all day so it was pretty warm by the ...

It's happening this morning, picked up a Prime Brisket from Costco trimmed it up, a little salt and pepper then on it went. Cooking with Oak. More pics to come.

Just about finished it, wiped the outside down in BLO and spray oiled the inside tonight. Kept the fire going to get a feel for fire management and split usage. So far so good. Cold beer and live Allman Brothers is always a good time.


Thanks for all the kind words everybody it really helps.

I braving the hottest summer in Phoenix History!! But damn it I'm almost done building my Smoker. I'm burning it out today, then a couple more little things and it'll be ready to season then food. All in all it's almost exactly what I wanted. I'm very happy with my first actual welding project. If I...

Sweet design, nice work all around on those

Had to work Saturday then today I needed to catch up with stuff around the house, but I made a little progress anyway. I finished welding the door flanges on, then I welded angle inside the cook chamber to support the cook grate. Made a plywood template for the grate to make sure my plan was gonna w...

Well I tried the jack and chain tonight, I didn't really like it. The door would bend more than I needed it to, then as soon as I released the jack it went right back to where it was. I tried several times and the last time let it sit under pressure for a 1/2 hour, and nothing. So I did the next bes...

That looks awesome, nice work

Thanks for the info guys, yes I completely understand the potential energy of the situation. I will be taking my time and standing clear. I do not expect to bend it perfect in one shot, it'll take some time. I'll have this smoker forever so I might as well just take the time to do it safely and make...

I have a couple different gaskets on the way and I picked up a new 20t bottle jack today. I’m going to get this straightened out one way or another

I saw you post that on another thread, I will be using your method for sure. Thanks

Now that gives me something to think about. I cut the top of the door and welded the hinges on, then cut the bottom and tacked a tab on so the door won’t fall in, and finished the rest of the vertical cuts later. My thought process was the door will always be perfectly aligned, that is if it doesn’t...