Time for a Spring Upgrade

[goodwla]

Decided to build a small upgrade this year. Upgrading from a 200 gal roaster.


First designed it in Autodesk Product Design Suite with Inventor

Then started cutting









500 Gal Reverse Flow in the making. The firebox is made out of 1/2 inch plate with a 3/4 inch bottom. The plate in the tank is 3/4 inch also.

Should make for some nice even heat and fast recovery once it is warmed up.

Will update pictures as the work progresses.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Looks like it will be a nice build. One question though, is there a reason you have your FB so low on the tank?

[DUAYNE B]

Thats a monster cooker there, looks like it is comin along well also

[goodwla]

Looks like it will be a nice build. One question though, is there a reason you have your FB so low on the tank?

The FB is 12 inches into the chamber. Is there an issue with this? I used the calculator to ensure the proper openings and sizing.

Interested in your opinion.

[Tom_Heath]

I think maybe that the fb looks low since the tank is so tall ...maybe.

Awesome looking FB.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

[goodwla]

Here is the door system that I am planning for the FB. Plan to build this weekend.



a 25 inch door on top, will have a grate for the wood to sit on and a drawer at the bottom for easy cleanout and disposal.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Your drawing looks familiar. Here is a pic of the door of my cooker.

[goodwla]

Very nice. I knew that I could not have been the first. With all the pictures I looked at when thinking of my next project, the good designs or unique designs all run together.

What would you change if you had to redo it? Anything?

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Honestly I wouldn't change a thing. I did lots of research and worked with Frank Cox on the design before I cut one piece of steel. It took me 260 hours to build it, but it was worth every minute.

[maccas66]

Nice build, you must be getting close to a " You Suck " award with all those toys!

[Rodcrafter]

I like to make things heavier than they have to be too. You will like the recovery temp, it takes a bit to heat up though but when there it is great. I use a 160,000 btu burner to preheat then switch to wood and charcoal. This going to be a great cooker. Nice work!

[Smokeone]

Can't wait to see more of this little devil.

[goodwla]

Had a productive weekend!

Got the Racks built using C-Channel for rails


Doors are hung

Had to re-bend the doors slightly because they sprung some after they were cut out.

The doors are WAY too heavy so am having to look into a counter weight system or something! (Ideas and/or calculators VERY WELCOME!)

Firebox door is on, ash drawer is not yet.






Have to love the projects that ensure that everything progresses slow.

[Rodcrafter]

Coming along nice, is that drawer under the small door for charcoal or? As big as the large door is you may want to cantilever the counter weight. So it has plenty of lift then it lightens as it goes up, so it isn't hard to pull back down. Frank probably has a drawing of a setup for that. I was just thinking, and yes that could be bad, you could add another shelf between the two you have. Then you could opt to use it if you were cooking more like ribs or chicken or remove it for larger items on the bottom shelf.

[goodwla]

Good eye! Yes, the drawer under the smaller chamber door is for Charcoal. It is for direct grilling for some of the bigger partys, etc. It will be just a drawer frame and then have a 1/8 in insert in it to hold the coals. I am doing it this way so that when I want to just use the racks for smoking, I can remove the pan and not have to worry about filling it with drippings.

Now you are making me thing about smoking butts and chicken on the big rack, then pulling them and roasting some corn on the cob over some coals.

[Rodcrafter]

With something as large as your making, you have alot of things you could do. That is for sure.

[The Czar]

Is that a tractor I see in the background? Man you suck!

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[goodwla]

Is that a tractor I see in the background? Man you suck!

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

I wish that tractor was mine. It was in the shop getting some work done to it. But, there is always dreams.

[goodwla]

Had a great conversation last night with Justin from http://www.BBQgaskets.com

He got me all setup with the right gaskets and information. After spending several hours searching here and reading other sites, it was a challenge to understand what is the right stuff to use and what was questionable.

Highly recommend talking to him.

[goodwla]

It must be Christmas in April. Boxes are showing up with great accessories.

The gaskets, thermometers and spring handles just showed up.


Yesterday the turkey fryer for the trailer and the preheat propane burner for the cooking chamber showed up too.

Now I just need to get back working so that I can start cooking.

[Rodcrafter]

That is awesome, I have to tell you it is important for you to check out this thread on the preheat burner. Frank is correct on the possible danger we get into with this, but done right it is awesome.

http://www.smokerbuilder.com/forums/vie ... f=31&t=689

Go geter done man.

[goodwla]

Thanks for the link.

You mean everyone does not use the burner to enable automatic door openers? I figured it would make them very light with all that back pressure.

[Gizmo]

Okay NOW you're scaring me .....

[goodwla]

Been a busy weekend, but it ended with Smoke rolling out of the stack!

Here are some updated images.

Got the bottom seams all welded


Counter weights designed and welded


FB Airholes and Cover installed. Went with Squares instead of round holes as I planned because it was easier to cut.


You will also see the Thermometers and handles are all installed now.



rack for the logs to sit on completed. went with 3/4 round stock.


Racks all welded and ground



Then the best way to wrap up the weekend was to build a fire and get the unit as hot as I could to cook out anything I did not want to be in there.

Nice seeing a little smoke after a few weekend of work.


Next will be getting it mounted on the trailer and then sandblast, paint and have to test it out.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Great progress!!