McBroom’s over n under smoker build

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » January 31st, 2019, 5:15 pm

Hey All,
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted but...
I decided to build my smoker. I have 5 tanks to choose from.
I’d like to make it stacked over n under style.
Here’s some pictures of the tanks.
The small propane tank is full of water and dawn soap. I’ve shaken and rolled it around some.
1-reg propane tank
2- 42 gallon water tank
3- 28 gallon water heater tank
4-16 gallon air tank
5- 14 gallon air tank
6- ?? gallon air tank
What else should I do with the propane tank?
How long should I leave the water in it?
Anything different I should do with the propane tank???
Thank’s in advance for the help it’s really appreciated.

For some reason it won’t let me post pictures.

I would like this smoker to look and work like @inkslinger ‘s smoker/grill.
I really like it.
I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » January 31st, 2019, 11:15 pm

Those are all pretty small. Considering the amount of work that goes into them, I would hate to see you out-grow it.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 1st, 2019, 3:22 pm

I don’t really need a big smoker anymore. Just big enough to feed the family. So my thoughts are the 28 g for the C/C and a 13 g for the firebox.
I’m pretty sure that I can get 2 racks in the 28 g cook chamber with about 7-8” between the two. Enough coals in the 13 g to be hot enough to smoke on.

This is just until I can afford to build a 120 propane tank smoker. Which I’ll use a 200 gallon to build it from.
I don’t have a plasma cutter anymore(brother-in-law)stolen. So the thicker metal is outta the question for now. So all my cuts are done with cut off wheels. I do have a kickass welder though.
I figure I can put 2 briskets on this one or 4 full racks of ribs.
The 40+ g tank I’ve got is galvanized outside. So I don’t think it’ll work and be safe unless someone has an idea of how to clean it so it’s safe to be the cook chamber.
Please help me out here.

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

Tjam9 · Post by **Tjam9** » February 1st, 2019, 4:22 pm

If you go to this forum this is the first smoker i built. https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... f=9&t=5569

I used a 30 gallon cc and it is big enough for family use. I can fit a brisket and pork butt or a brisket and a few racks of ribs. I had planned on adding a second shelf but didn't think it was worth it. The shelf was going to be too small to fit much more. The tank wasn't as deep as I thought so I would have a very short second shelf. Remember to use a pit calculator http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html or http://bbqpitcalculator.com/. Your firebox needs to be 33% of the size of you CC. so in your case your FB should be appx 9-10 gallons if you use the 28 gallon. My FB was a little bigger than I needed so I added some firebricks inside to take up some space and it works. This design works really good for me. I get really even temps through out the entire CC and it holds heat very well.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 1st, 2019, 4:25 pm

Thanks man for the help

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 1st, 2019, 5:55 pm

Tjam9 wrote:If you go to this forum this is the first smoker i built. https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... f=9&t=5569

I used a 30 gallon cc and it is big enough for family use. I can fit a brisket and pork butt or a brisket and a few racks of ribs. I had planned on adding a second shelf but didn't think it was worth it. The shelf was going to be too small to fit much more. The tank wasn't as deep as I thought so I would have a very short second shelf. Remember to use a pit calculator http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html or http://bbqpitcalculator.com/. Your firebox needs to be 33% of the size of you CC. so in your case your FB should be appx 9-10 gallons if you use the 28 gallon. My FB was a little bigger than I needed so I added some firebricks inside to take up some space and it works. This design works really good for me. I get really even temps through out the entire CC and it holds heat very well.

The c/c is the 26 gallon

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

Tjam9 · Post by **Tjam9** » February 1st, 2019, 8:15 pm

You’re welcome. That equates to appx 8.5 gallon fb. That’s a little smaller CC than mine but depending on the diameter and how much you want to cook at once it should work. You can use your 14 gallon tank for FB and add some fire bricks like a did to take up some space. I’ve had no issues with that.

I’m going to keep my first build for family cooks and my second one will be for bigger parties.

Tjam9 · Post by **Tjam9** » February 18th, 2019, 12:19 am

Makes sure you post some pics when you get started. Would love to see the finished product.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 19th, 2019, 11:07 am

Sorry I haven’t posted any pics but I have started it and close to finishing it.
The only pics I have are mainly about the firebox but here they are.

These pics are with the smoker laying on the ground.

I used old door hinges on the firebox door.

I used the water heater tank for the cook chamber

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 19th, 2019, 11:09 am

@Big T @rodcrafter
what do y’all think

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

Post by **Big T** » February 19th, 2019, 8:54 pm

It should work fine based on what I've read from the guys that have recently built one this style. I think it has taken them a few cooks to figure out the fire management but after that it's smooth sailing. I couldn't tell from your pictures but you have to make sure that the grease can't make it to the FB or it'll be a disaster.
:LG:

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 20th, 2019, 12:27 am

Big T wrote:It should work fine based on what I've read from the guys that have recently built one this style. I think it has taken them a few cooks to figure out the fire management but after that it's smooth sailing. I couldn't tell from your pictures but you have to make sure that the grease can't make it to the FB or it'll be a disaster.

I’ll get you some better pictures of the area in the morning.

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 20th, 2019, 10:41 am

The neck is fully welded around the throat with 1” flat metal. The plate on top is a 9x7” flat plate. I hope this is all large enough to keep the grease from getting in the fb.
I realize now that I should’ve been taking pictures of the build from the start. More to come.
When this is finished I’m gonna take it to get sandblasted before paint

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 20th, 2019, 4:51 pm

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 20th, 2019, 5:17 pm

A lot of grinding coming up.
It’s coming along fast. Good weather and retirement help a lot too.

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 21st, 2019, 7:41 pm

Another Update:
Got the c/c door mounted and the handle. Latches welded on the fb(a lil more grinding on the door for a good fit)

And the top rack grate with the drip pan welded in.

Now the chimney is drawn on the top of the c/c door. I hope this is a good place for it.

If not I’ll move it behind the circle and put it on the c/c.
Any opinions on location???

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

Post by **Big T** » February 21st, 2019, 8:21 pm

I've seen a few guys mount the stack to the CC door so I don't see why it wouldn't work. Just make sure that it doesn't interfere with your door fully opening.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 21st, 2019, 9:14 pm

Thanks Big T

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 24th, 2019, 4:51 pm

Almost done

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

Post by **Big T** » February 24th, 2019, 6:37 pm

Nice touch with the ammo can.

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 24th, 2019, 10:25 pm

Thanks it was my daddy’s before he passed. It’s gonna hold my charcoal and small sticks. I’d put another on the other side if I can find one.
I’m also thinking about putting a crossbar under the fb and a piece of 2x2x1/4 so I can put it on the back of my Ram in the receiver hitch. Good way to haul it to car shows and other events.

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

Tjam9 · Post by **Tjam9** » February 25th, 2019, 12:18 am

Coming along nicely. Make sure to change out the rubber part of your clamps with carriage bolts or similar. I melted mine after a few cooks.

Did you put a baffle plate in your cooking chamber?

McBroom · Post by **McBroom** » February 25th, 2019, 11:01 am

Tjam9 wrote:

Coming along nicely. Make sure to change out the rubber part of your clamps with carriage bolts or similar. I melted mine after a few cooks.

Did you put a baffle plate in your cooking chamber?

No on BP but I did make the flame arrester plate over sized

I’m hoping that this will work.
I plan to change the rubber ends out with som all thread and nuts. I’m still in the fitment and adjusting phase. I was gonna take it to the sandblaster but I don’t think I need to now.

I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

Tjam9 · Post by **Tjam9** » February 25th, 2019, 12:37 pm

Personally I think a baffle plate over the top of that would work better. On mine it allows the bp to heat up and give radiant heat to the meat and gives really even temps across the entire cc. Try it and if it’s not what your looking for then add the bp.

Any pics of your air intake. Curious how you did yours.

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » February 25th, 2019, 4:34 pm

I’m not sure I would want that much weight hanging off my receiver. I’m afraid no matter what you did to brace it, it would still end up rattling the welds loose where you attached the insert. Then again, I never follow behind those guys that but a “basket” in their receiver either so maybe it’s just me!

SmokerBuilder.com

McBroom’s over n under smoker build

McBroom’s over n under smoker build

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with

Re: Which tanks to build my smoker with