SeenRed wrote:Howdy folks,
I wanted to ask Frank (or anyone else who can answer, for that matter) some questions about the GF smoker plans. I'm hoping to start a build pretty soon, and I'll be buying a set of plans from SmokerPlans, but I'm still trying to decide which set of plans is appropriate for me. Here are my current questions:
1. Other than the dimensions, are the plans for the 3 GF smokers available at SmokerPlans basically the same? (e.g. do they all have the same design, the latest design updates, etc.) I'm asking because I haven't really decided on how big a cooker I want to build. I kinda think that my ideal cooker would be 4 racks that are around 24" x 24"...which is a little bigger than the Mini, and a little smaller than the standard original GF plans...which leads me to my next question...
2. If I wanted to build the pit I describe above, which set of plans would be more appropriate? I'm certainly no engineer, and I'm a fabricator/welder of only passable skills, so I'd like to get a sense of how much I could adjust the size of the cooking chamber without having to re-scale the whole design.
3. I didn't find CNC cut files for any of the GFs except the Double Pan...is that accurate? Also, if CNC files are available for the smaller cookers, would they be of any use if I plan to do most (or all) of the material cutting myself? I've got a plasma cutter, a dry-cut saw, and several angle grinders, and doing my own cutting would save me some money...plus I'm retired, and ain't got nothing but time.
I've got a couple of other little welding/fabricating projects to finish before I start a GF build, but I'm looking forward to starting it...and need some input from the more knowledgeable before I move ahead. Any thoughts?
Thanks!!
Red
Lol I really do have them. For real!
Well done DTDirtytires wrote:Im not frank...also cant answer most of your questions but that has never stopped me from jumping in. Ive not build a GF but might toss a few ideas at you.
I just wanted to touch on size. The 4 racks of 24 x 24 is a lot of rack space. Bigger is always better but realize that 16 sqft is a ton of rack space. My 24x48 reverse flowonly has a little over 10 sq feet and i can cook for 50-100people on it pretty easily. I know you can upscale the plans a bit but keep in mind that they are tried and true as it. Adjusting them sometimes has unwanted consequences. So my question is, not knowing your intended use, do you really need that much space?
The plans for my smoker did not come with a cnc file. All parts were drawn and dimensioned in easy to follow diagrams and i was able to cut everything myself. The advantage of the cncis that it “nests” all the pieces together so you use theleast amount of sheet material. You can do that yourself with some time but its kinda nice knowing you are making the most of every cut. And true...not all the GF have cnc files as its something fairly new.
With that said, welcome to the crew.
I own a GF cooker now...it's a Southern Q Limo Jr. Great little cooker that I like very much, but its just not big enough. I wouldn't need four 24 x 24 racks very often, but my next cooker will be big enough to handle anything I can see myself ever needing.Dirtytires wrote: ↑June 4th, 2018, 5:29 pm
my question is, not knowing your intended use, do you really need that much space?
With that said, welcome to the crew.
Yep...I use a Guru DigiQ on my current GF cooker, and you're right...its the only way to fly. Any GF I build will be equipped with a controller.pr0wlunwoof wrote: ↑June 4th, 2018, 6:37 pm
Controllers for a GF is what turns a Cadillac into a space ship. You want a space ship. Controllers are the cats pajamas when it comes to low and slow or baking a cake at 325. Do not start the project without picking out and budgeting for a controller. If you do not know what a controller is ask.
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Thanks Elmacho...that's pretty much what I was asking regarding expanding the chamber on the Mini. I think you may be right...the Mini might be the one.Elmacho wrote: ↑June 4th, 2018, 7:23 pm
Welcome aboard!!
In the Mini you can do two things. You can add an extra rack or you can expand the cook Chamber by up to 20% and still be optimal on the firebox ratio. I believe this equates to 4” or 6” added to the height of the cook chamber allowing another grate with ease.
2.) you really sound like you would be perfect in the Mini with the extra cook chamber height.
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Hmmm...thanks for the tease Frank! I'm not in a rush yet cuz I've got some other projects to wrap up before I've got the room in my garage for this build. So I might just wait on this to see what's coming...Frank_Cox wrote: ↑June 4th, 2018, 7:28 pmWell....
I hate to say it but we do have a couple things coming up very shortly that will change the Gravity Feed game entirely...
My advise?... stay tuned if you are not in a hurry and can wait a few weeks/ couple months, I think you will like what's coming up....
Sorry for the tease .... but this is gonna be awesome! I can't wait to build the first one!
feel free to give us a call if you want to know more... Number is 573-612-1315
I will announce the first one hopefully by the 6/16/18.
If you make me have to build another smoker I might have to live in my shed.Frank_Cox wrote: ↑June 4th, 2018, 7:28 pmWell....
I hate to say it but we do have a couple things coming up very shortly that will change the Gravity Feed game entirely...
My advise?... stay tuned if you are not in a hurry and can wait a few weeks/ couple months, I think you will like what's coming up....
Sorry for the tease .... but this is gonna be awesome! I can't wait to build the first one!
pr0wlunwoof wrote: ↑June 5th, 2018, 8:34 amIf you make me have to build another smoker I might have to live in my shed.
hahahaha right!!!!JKalchik wrote: ↑June 5th, 2018, 8:53 ampr0wlunwoof wrote: ↑June 5th, 2018, 8:34 amIf you make me have to build another smoker I might have to live in my shed.
Scoot over, doggone it.
pr0wlunwoof wrote:If you make me have to build another smoker I might have to live in my shed.Frank_Cox wrote: ↑June 4th, 2018, 7:28 pmWell....
I hate to say it but we do have a couple things coming up very shortly that will change the Gravity Feed game entirely...
My advise?... stay tuned if you are not in a hurry and can wait a few weeks/ couple months, I think you will like what's coming up....
Sorry for the tease .... but this is gonna be awesome! I can't wait to build the first one!
<JudgeSmales> Well? We're WAITING! </JudgeSmales>Frank_Cox wrote: ↑June 4th, 2018, 7:28 pmWell....
I hate to say it but we do have a couple things coming up very shortly that will change the Gravity Feed game entirely...
My advise?... stay tuned if you are not in a hurry and can wait a few weeks/ couple months, I think you will like what's coming up....
Sorry for the tease .... but this is gonna be awesome! I can't wait to build the first one!
feel free to give us a call if you want to know more... Number is 573-612-1315
I will announce the first one hopefully by the 6/16/18.