My first try 200L smoker

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » September 28th, 2018, 5:06 am

Hi All,

Here are a few pictures of my start. I bought some old water heater 2 days ago and started processing them.
Removed the exterior and sand them. Today I notice it's started rusting which is great as it shows it's not galvanised. After checking on internet it seems they were enamelled.

I now have a problem, I can either go for the long one as a CC or use the intermediary sized one (on the right) and use the 2 on the left to make a semi-insulated FB. However I was wondering is the longest wouldn'nt be better for CC as it has more real estate (could fit 2 briskets).

The sizes are in cm: 130 x 45, 115 x 50, 140 x 40.

What do you think?

Post by **Big T** » September 28th, 2018, 6:06 pm

I personally don't use anything under 18'' for the CC because it gets a little tight. I would use the 130 X 45 for the CC.

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » September 29th, 2018, 2:51 am

Big T wrote: ↑
September 28th, 2018, 6:06 pm
I personally don't use anything under 18'' for the CC because it gets a little tight. I would use the 130 X 45 for the CC.

Thanks for your advice the only things that makes me doubt is the fact that in the 140 cm I could easily fit 2 briskets and the water pan.
IMO the 130 would be tight isn't it?
Also is seems to me that the longest one has a thicker steel as it doesn't resonate as much when i bang on it hence will keep a better convective heat. Does it make sens?

Post by **Big T** » September 29th, 2018, 3:34 pm

Thicker steel is definitely an advantage up to a certain point, then it becomes overkill. You can probably get by with the 140 X 40 even though it's only 15.75'', I've seen a lot of 16'' commercially built smokers.

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » September 30th, 2018, 10:41 am

I did take some more precise measurements and here it is:
The longest one (considered for CC) : 55.1181 x 17.7165 inch
The 2 tanks considered for semi insulated FB: 51.1811 x 18.8976 and 47.2756 x 19.685 inch

I am not really considering the medium one for CC as I do think the length restrict to fit 2 brisket and water pan. The metal seems to me a bit thin (the tank resonate more than the 2 others, does it make sens?)
Also is it a problem for the FB to be wider in diameter than the CC?

Thanks

Post by **Big T** » September 30th, 2018, 5:45 pm

The 17.7'' diameter will be fine for the CC. The FB can be larger in diameter than the CC because you'll only have a small section that overlaps for the throat and there's not much difference between the 2 tanks.

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » October 2nd, 2018, 10:50 am

Getting closer, cut fitting the tanks is a bit of a challenge for me but should de able to complete by next week. Still need to make a few cuts and then welding! The FB will be semi insulated but i messed up diameter measurements which lead to a "insulation "gap of only 2cm. I'm wondering if it even makes sens to finish the insulation process at that point.

towtruck · Post by **towtruck** » October 2nd, 2018, 11:02 am

It's a start.....it will come together for you. Sit and drink a beer or two and just stare at it....it works for me anyway.

Tipps · Post by **Tipps** » October 5th, 2018, 7:55 am

towtruck wrote: ↑
October 2nd, 2018, 11:02 am
It's a start.....it will come together for you. Sit and drink a beer or two and just stare at it....it works for me anyway.

Worked for me too, many times just staring and drinking beer. Somehow things start getting welded!

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » October 8th, 2018, 5:44 pm

Updating my progress! Fb has been welded to the CC. Tomorrow working on the stand and FB door as well as cheminee. As it's my first time welding it's definitely not pretty but as long as it works, i'll be happy! Making the FB and CC fit well was a pain but nothing welding won't fix!

ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » October 8th, 2018, 9:01 pm

Paint is wonderful for disguising gorilla welds... ask me how I know

Chromeski · Post by **Chromeski** » October 8th, 2018, 11:51 pm

Great project to practice welding. Anyone who complains about the welds don't get to try the food.
I don't see any problem with the welds

Tipps · Post by **Tipps** » October 15th, 2018, 1:09 pm

looks like it's coming together good. And I think you may have enough wood in the background for several cooks.

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » October 16th, 2018, 4:43 pm

Update: things are going forward! I was able to get my hands on a brand new cheminee tube (for really cheap) that i sent for cutting. I then welded it. i have nearly finished the door but as i didn't bent the steel bands enough during the forging it has warped the door. Any advice on putting it back in shape?
Today I just finished the stand for the smoker. Looking better by the day!

Tipps · Post by **Tipps** » October 16th, 2018, 6:11 pm

Search the jack and chain method for straightening the door, I’ve seen it explained on this forum somehwere.
I used a big turnbuckle on my cook chamber to push part of it out, but that may not work for the door itself

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » October 16th, 2018, 7:42 pm

This is the basic set-up. Just be sure you are safe. The chain is under stupid stresses and could break or the jack could slip out. Gloves, glasses and such...be careful.

Also, bend a little at a time and check it, then bend again till it’s correct.

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » October 24th, 2018, 5:07 pm

Updates: I couldn't help myself but light up a nice fire! so awesome to see the fire roaring in th FB! I was able to correct the warp of the door by using clamps and metal bars while heating the inside of the CC with wood. Today I made the FB door as well as the grate. I don't know if I should add more great on each side. I might put a water pan over the FB throat. Tomorrow doing all the cosmetic as well as checking welds. Also how can i add the pictures with the correct orientation?

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » November 2nd, 2018, 12:48 pm

How can i put the picture in the right way?

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » November 2nd, 2018, 4:37 pm

No worries. Just turn the screen on its side.

Nice progress.

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » November 19th, 2018, 6:48 am

Et voila, finished, painted and transported to the final location! Such a great adventure! I can't wait to start again with now more knowledge on how to.
Next time I will :
- Use thinner metal plate for the door cover,
- Prepare the welding area much better by properly cleaning the metal surface
- Get more measuring, tracing instruments
- More welding magnet
- Make more tack welds
- Make my own door hinges
- Make a better insulation area between the 2 tanks of the FB.
- Choose a larger tank diameter for the CC.

I can't wait to start cooking with it next week end. I'll be doing a black gascon pork. Will send you pictures soon!

towtruck · Post by **towtruck** » November 19th, 2018, 11:52 am

Nice!

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » November 19th, 2018, 6:13 pm

Nice project...let us know how she cooks!

ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » November 19th, 2018, 6:42 pm

Looks good... needs wheels.

Post by **Big T** » November 19th, 2018, 7:47 pm

Newsmoke · Post by **Newsmoke** » November 20th, 2018, 12:25 pm

I don't know if it's the right thread to talk about it but I have a hard time to keep some coals. For some reason the combustion is too efficient and I am burning wood like matches. I am thinking to remove the grate in the FB as I think it is too large and leaving to much air coming from below

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My first try 200L smoker

My first try 200L smoker

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Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker

Re: My first try 200L smoker