Still figuring out the image posting but my upcoming project on the smoker is to insulate and possibly expand the firebox. I recently did a big cook on the 330 that lasted 14+ hours and I went through 50 splits of wood, that seems like way too much even if the outside temp was in the low 30's for the most part.
Using the calculator here, my firebox was made about 10" too short- 72% of what size it should be, and although I haven't had any ill affects so far, I'm wondering if once the firebox is insulated the smaller than optimal size will be more of an issue. Thoughts on that? I'm prepared to cut off the back plate of the firebox and make an extension to get it where it should be.
I have my insulation on the way, I'm getting a roll of ceramic blanket insulation, 1" thick that I'm going to use 2 layers of around the box.
I was thinking for the outer shell of the insulation to use about 1/8" steel. Is it ok to use thinner metal there?
Thanks for the welcomes and the response. Looks like I'll be using the 1/8 for the shell then.
As luck would have it, the guy I bought the smoker from contacted me yesterday and he has a 4x4 sheet of metal left over from the build that he's going to sell for a reasonable price, along with a 4x4 piece of expanded metal. So it looks like I can put my project into gear very soon!
It will be interesting to see how much less wood I burn with the insulated firebox. I have a cook for a family Christmas coming up so that should make a pretty good comparison.
Ok figured out the image posting so here's a pic of the smoker!
The projects I've done so far:
Made a damper w/rod and horse shoe handle
Moved and added a trailer jack for better stability and ability to level rig
Changed middle door handle location and door hinges (smokerbuilder hinges ftw)
There's an unfinished grill on the other side that I'm planning on making into a Santa Maria style grill, and need to add a wood storage bin and mount a 2 burner propane cooker up somewhere as well. Oh also there's a tortilla/smashburger press installed on top of the firebox which is fun to use, I'm going to remove it to do the insulated box, but I'm going to reuse it and make it so it can be used over one of the propane burners. Fresh tortillas made with smoked beef tallow rock!
Here's a pic from right when I brought it home, she's made a decent improvement from this day already.
Forgot to mention that I removed a bunch of surface rust, removed the paint from the stack and repainted with high temp gloss black and did an axle flip so it sits about 3" or so lower than this pic. I bought the whole thing for just a little over what the guy paid in parts and I love doing projects so although I'm wanting to rework several things I think I made a good decision buying it.
Welcome aboard! I personally would make the fire box the recommended size just to avoid any future problems that may arise from being too small. I'm not sure how big the splits were that you were using but 2-3 splits per 45-60 mins is about average for a well-built cooker so 50 splits, depending on their size isn't too far above average for that amount of time and those temperatures.
That is a BIG pit...it is going to use a lot of wood.
I have an insulated firebox and love it for the safety factor (the outer skin stays a few hundred degrees cooler) but I'm not too sure I save much wood. Mine still takes 2 splits every 45-60 minutes.....
Not saying it isn't a good thing to do, just don't expect the cost in wood to offset the steel used.
Gotcha, yeah I'm just trying to make the wood cost hurt a little less over the long run. I got a good deal on some metal to extend the firebox like I mentioned, and I got my 1/8 for the outter shell for free, some pieces in my Mom's shed she didn't mind me using. Got my roxul insulation coming soon too!
Got my firebox extension done so now it's the correct size! I've done two cooks on it since the extension and now that I'm relearning the fire management I'm really liking it. My coal bed is bigger and I'm able to control the temp better- thanks to the smokerbuilder calculator!
Thanks for all the kind words guys, much appreciated!
So far with the firebox extension I've done 2 cooks, one for a family Christmas party and another for my work Christmas, where I made enough for 50 people and took personal orders ahead of time so they could have the meat for their holiday get togethers. It was a lot of work but felt awesome, and I got a lot of positive feedback.
First cook was 2 briskets, pork butt, and a shank portion ham. This was me getting warmed up for the big work cook- which was my personal biggest ever at 7 prime briskets, 4 slabs of baby backs, pork butt and two pans of baked beans. Now I'm leaning into getting the wheels turning to do catering so this will be my next step. I started a facebook page for it if anybody feels like checking it out. Only a few pics up as of now.
Upcoming on the smoker is going to be the firebox insulation project, really looking forward to it. I've got all my materials for the most part and I've started probably the trickiest part, which is making cardboard templates for the shell over the insulation. The piece that gets welded to the tank on the very end of the tank is tricky because it's not a perfect arc. I had to make 4 different templates until I arrived at one that is what I'm calling close enough. Hopefully I'll get going more on the project over this week and the weekend, and I'll update once I'm finished with it.