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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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!
Paint is wonderful for disguising gorilla welds... ask me how I know
Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
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!
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
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.
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?
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!
Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
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