Round vs Octogon Shaped Cook Chambers

[EverydayDiesel]

I am just curious if there is a reason why most smokers are round. I have access to cheap plate steel.

Is there any reason why smokers are round and not an octagon shape? Will I have problems with an octagon shaped smoker?

[Pete Mazz]

Only because old tanks are available for cheap and they save welding. Nothing at all wrong with octagon shape.

[Dirtytires]

Yep....or square.

[tinspark]

Can find cheap tanks on Facebook Marketplace, and some guys have found success finding cheap tanks at scrap yards.
Might be worth a look. Plate makes for a nice smoker.
They have a nice set of plans on here for a Mack build, which is made from plate.
Has a nice warming chamber too. Lots of guys build them either way. The main thing is follow the engineering that is provided on this site.
Both work like a charm when you get your volumes dialed in

[dacolson]

My first build was an octagon. Works great.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[EverydayDiesel]

Thanks for the replies! I really appreciate the help

[dacolson]

Thanks for the replies! I really appreciate the help

If you go octagon, one thing I would change is to do 6 sides all the same width but do the front and back sides half again as wide. This will give you a deeper tank and will give you more room for a double rack. Mine has 10” width x 48” length and I have a double rack. It’s pretty tight. I’d do 16” front and back instead and give myself more room.

Good luck!