First smoker build

[Big Nicky]

Hello everyone,

Getting the materials together to start my first rf smoker just trying to decide if I should go with a 120gal or a 250 gal. Tanks are roughly the same price and the trailer I’m going to use will handle either. I’m normally a bigger is better kind of person, however my question would be can you still do smaller cooks with a 250 like just cooking something for my family and not a big group or would the wood consumption be to great to justify?

[The Czar]

It has been my experience that as long as your RF is built and tuned properly...fuel consumption is about the same....


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[Smurf]

My vote is to go big. Just saying from experience. Then later u can build a patio model for smaller cooks

[Big T]

The Czar is correct. If built to spec, there isn't much difference in fuel consumption.

[Rodcrafter]

Even Lou Ann (1000 gallon) used about 1 more stick per hour than my trailer rig does.

[Big Nicky]

thanks all i will continue to update as i get things going

[Big Nicky]

Picked up my tanks yesterday and boy was the danger ranger not happy with a 250 and a 120 in the back for 150 miles


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[Big T]

I didn’t even see the 120 until you mentioned it. Those should make for some nice smokers.


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[Big Nicky]

I’m going to do them side by side the 250 will be the smoker and the 120 will be a charcoal grill


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[Rodcrafter]

[Big Nicky]

Started on the fire box today for the 120gal got all of the 1/4 plate cut with the plasma and 5/6 sides tacked together Monday I will be finishing the welding on the box and hopefully get the door cut in the FB for the fuel as well as the ash pan and intakes.


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[Big T]

[Mo Smoke]

Man... a 250 smoker back to back with a 120 grill...I’m jealous. Consider making the 120 a smoker also but with a removable baffle plate so it functions both ways. No matter what u got a rig built to feed an Army!


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[Big Nicky]

I fully plan on sealing the CC but how necessary is sealing the FB?


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[Big T]

I don't use gaskets on my FB door but I make sure that it fits tight against the door jamb. I burn sticks in my offsets and they are sealed enough that I can choke the fire out by closing the intakes and latching the door.

[Dirtytires]

I put a gasket on my firebox. Burned off first fire....never replaced it but it does seat pretty snug so really not needed anyway.

[Big Nicky]

Thank you for the info guys


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[Big Nicky]

Alright I’m getting ready to cut the throat opening in the FB and was just making sure im getting this right from the info y’all have shared on other topics.

#1 I have the throat measured out on the FB and can I leave the one inch on the top of the fire box to space the BP

#2 does my grease dam work in the picture since I couldn’t get the words out to not sound like a babbling fool



Hopefully y’all can see the writing on the box


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[Dirtytires]

On a reverse flo, the grease dam needs to be on the end opposite the firebox as a lip on top of the baffle plate. In theory, no grease is ever going to be below the baffle plate so no dam is needed coming out of the firebox. Top of the firebox should align with the baffle plate.

[Big T]

I would cut the throat at the very top of the FB and drop the top of the FB 1'' lower than the BP.

[Big Nicky]

Ok and here aren’t calcs from here just want to make sure they look good to the experts


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[Big T]

Your numbers look good to me. I would make sure that the stack is tall enough to keep the smoke out of your eyes. You can use a smaller diameter pipe to make it taller or if you only need a few inches you could just add it to what you have and it'll be fine. Another thing I would recommend is having a couple of air intakes on the FB so that if the wind starts blowing directly into the intake you can shut it off and open one on the other side. A strong wind blowing in the intake can make the temps almost uncontrollable.

[Big Nicky]

Big T can I have two of that same size intake as long as I only use the one that may be out of the wind


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[Big T]

Yes they can be as big as you want them as long as when combined they are at least the recommended size. The only time you really need a lot of air is when you are getting up to temp, after that you'll close them down to just a few inches unless you are cooking extremely hot.

[Big Nicky]

Thank you sir


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