I wish I would have...

[inkslinger]

Okay folks... just wanted to start a thread that is a quick and easy read for those of us that are new at this and maybe perhaps in the stages of designing and building our first smokers.

In as few words as you can, please answer:

If you could go back in time and change something with your last build, what would it be and why?

[Big T]

I would have built cabinet style doors and added a WC to the FB with a baffle from the FB. The traditional door works fine but it lets smoke go right in to your face when you open it and it's a little heavy for the wife even with a counterweight. The WC with double baffles will allow much more cooking space and also gives a space to keep food warm while you're waiting on everything to get done. There's a lot of little things that I'll do on my next build but these are the 2 biggest regrets.

[Rodcrafter]

I have gone down this road so many times that it is just a on going theme. At this point I don't have enough trailer to keep adding stuff. So I guess I would start with a bigger pickup, then who knows.

[Squiggle]

Thicker steel?

[ajfoxy]

[Weldun]

Rodcrafter, I think this would be a good start for your next build!

[ajfoxy]

RC I think they are tearing into you something fierce...

But that would certainly give you plenty of space and it looks strong too.

[Rodcrafter]

I guess you guys have figured me out.


Making memories!

[temurf]

If I could go back to the beginning of my build, I would make it bigger and use thicker steel. I would also use the cabinet style doors.

[Grey Ghost]

Great thread!! I just started my design phase and input in a thread like this in invaluable!

Keep the ideas coming!!

[Squiggle]

I would probably make the stand wider so I could put a shelf on the front.

[inkslinger]

Great thread!! I just started my design phase and input in a thread like this in invaluable!

Keep the ideas coming!!

Me too Grey Ghost, Thats exactly why I started this thread. I was hoping to avoid unknown pitfalls.

Because you don't know, what you don't know.

[Rodcrafter]

Don't forget the paper towel holder with a tension er on it so the towels don't unroll when left alone.

jm2cw

[ACC]

... made a taller firebox door. Since the top of my FB opens up for a grill, my FB door does not go all the way to the top of the FB. A lot of vertical space is taken up by the ash pan, air inlets and the fire grate. The vertical space left for stuffing in firewood during the course of the cook is limited. I've made some modifications to help out the situation, but it all could have been avoided if I had made the door taller.

[h2orescuemedic]

1. Just dish out the money for a plasma cutter before I started, Would have made better cuts then my Oxyacetylene cuts. And would have made some of the small stuff go so much faster.
2. When I had the tank on the rollers at the very start of the build before the first cut I should have used a surface prep wheel on the wheel grinder to remove all the old paint. Then repaint with high temp paint. 2 to 3 wheels would have easily done the whole tank. $18 dollars for 3 wheels. I could have spun the tank and done the hole job standing up right, easy on me and my back. and CHEAP and very fast. after the build I was quoted $200 to sandblast just the tank.
3. Wish I would have put paint on some of my welds before they rusted when it was setting outside before I was able to finish it. (when job is done scuff it up and repaint the whole thing). Over all my surface prep was a real pain. I will make sure I don't make that mistake ever again.
4. Put some kind of brace in the roof of the firebox to keep it from bowing up when the fire is going, or replace with thicker metal.
5. Make the smoker doors seal up better.

I am sure there is more that will come to me after I hit post but that's a start of what I wish I would have done

[bluecatfish]

Ditto all of the above!