Gasket Material on first RFS Build question

Big Steve · Post by **Big Steve** » January 3rd, 2014, 6:49 pm

Hello Everyone,
I'm new to the forum and thought I'd introduce myself and ask a couple of questions. First I'm Big Steve. Avid BBQ'r. Currently own a charcoal Santa Maria style grill which I use to grill, and a Vision Grills Kamado for the home. My current project is a trailer mounted RFS that a few of the breakfast crew are collectively working on. I bought plans from Smokebuilders.com. The cook chamber will be 24" by 60" with two cook shelves. That's the project. Now the question. Can you point me to places to pick up some felt gasket material for the cook chamber door? I've found some 1/4" by 1" felt F7 felt at Grainer but was wondering what you pros use? I'm sure I'll have other questions and will post some pics once we start welding it up. Thanks for your help and I'm excited about being part of the forum.

Big Steve

Post by **Big T** » January 3rd, 2014, 6:57 pm

There is a link on the main page of this site to smokerplans.net and they have a few different types of gaskets. I like to use the fire rope fiberglass gasket ( 1/2'') it seems to seal up a little better than the flat gasket.

bluecatfish · Post by **bluecatfish** » January 3rd, 2014, 7:44 pm

You have come to the right place for good information. Looking following to watching your build and don't forget the pictures.

Smokeone · Post by **Smokeone** » January 3rd, 2014, 8:01 pm

You can go to our sister site for gasket and build supplies, http://www.smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=133

The Czar · Post by **The Czar** » January 3rd, 2014, 8:32 pm

Welcome aboard!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Rev.Mike · Post by **Rev.Mike** » January 4th, 2014, 12:14 am

SmokinFF · Post by **SmokinFF** » January 4th, 2014, 7:21 am

Except I like to call it our brother site. Sister site makes it sound "girly".

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » January 4th, 2014, 7:43 am

Welcome big steve!

What those guys said…..

In my experience the steel parts of any cooker move a little as they get hot and expand so the flat gaskets have a harder time "modeling" the size/shape of the gap you are trying to fill with the gasket. Fire rope at around 1/2 inch diameter seems to do a better job adapting to this fluctuation and keeping things well sealed.

Sorry for the long answer but I've got this CDO problem and ….. excuse me I have to go sort my sock drawer ….

Clover Ridge Smokers · Post by **Clover Ridge Smokers** » January 4th, 2014, 8:57 am

Welcome Big Steve. Looks like the boy have pointed in you the right direction.

dwwantasmoker · Post by **dwwantasmoker** » January 4th, 2014, 9:27 am

snort my sock drawer

OK sorry I used 1/2 " fiberglass rope on mine.

Big Steve · Post by **Big Steve** » January 4th, 2014, 12:28 pm

Awesome response guys. Thanks. Material has been ordered. Now getting ready to pick up hinges. 4" mild steel hinges or piano hinges? Your preference and why? Cook chamber door and firebox door use.

Clover Ridge Smokers · Post by **Clover Ridge Smokers** » January 4th, 2014, 4:33 pm

I would go with weld on bullet hinges for the the FB and make a set of bat wings for the CC.

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » January 4th, 2014, 6:31 pm

Definitely don't used a piano hinge on the firebox door if it's a vertical hinge line. The piano hinges have far more end-play when installed vertically than I thought and the door wanted to sag badly. On a horizontal hinge line like the CC almost anything will work but the "batwings" CRS is referring to are cool and very affordable unless you decide to get "plasma fancy" with them.

dwwantasmoker · Post by **dwwantasmoker** » January 5th, 2014, 8:50 pm

I used weld on bullet style with brass pins and washer. they install easily and work great no matter what heat range they were at. well worth the money!

Just my opinion

Big Steve · Post by **Big Steve** » January 5th, 2014, 11:55 pm

Thanks for the input on hinges. Took your input and picked up some 4" mild steel hinges, no fancy Plasma work, sorry.
Now time to pick up thermometers. Suggestions on decent thermometers?

Post by **Rodcrafter** » January 6th, 2014, 7:15 am

I'm glad to see everyone is helping you along. On thermos, I prefer Maverick ET-732, for the money I don't think they can be beat.

jm2cw

Clover Ridge Smokers · Post by **Clover Ridge Smokers** » January 6th, 2014, 8:07 am

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » January 6th, 2014, 9:11 am

If you're talking about a "T"-gauge to install in the CC door then look at the one on smokerplans.net. It's a tel-tru brand and about the finest quality one out there in my opinion.

SmokinFF · Post by **SmokinFF** » January 6th, 2014, 9:13 am

Big Steve · Post by **Big Steve** » January 7th, 2014, 10:44 pm

Should have taken a pic today, but forgot. Firebox coming along well. Floor and 4 sides welded, door cut, vents cut/slide dampers welded on. 24" by 67" .250 steel pipe arriving tomorrow. Hope to have this done in a few more weeks.

Question: After your builds do you all use a burn out fire in both the firebox and cook chamber? (as in wood in cook chamber to burn off junk, oil etc prior to the first real cook).

Big Steve

Post by **Big T** » January 7th, 2014, 11:31 pm

If you're building a RFS , I would burn out my pipe before I started building. Once you install your BP you don't have access to the bottom of the pipe anymore. Some of the guys have them soda blasted before they start.

Post by **Rodcrafter** » January 8th, 2014, 7:07 am

If it is just rust I just wire brush with my grinder and burn my break in fire once complete. If it has oil in it I would try to get it as clean as I could, then burn a really hot fire before I added the BP.

Big Steve · Post by **Big Steve** » January 18th, 2014, 3:19 am

Here's the numbers for our RF Smoker. My original post was inaccurate as I stated the CC was 24 by 60, reality is 24 by 67. Question for you Pros. Any benefit is increasing diameter of stack and reducing the length, or is narrower and longer offer other benefits. No wise cracks. If we go with 8" we shorten the stack significantly according to the calculator. What's your thoughts.

http://feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator. ... .04,142.31

Big Steve · Post by **Big Steve** » January 18th, 2014, 3:24 am

Not sure what happened with the calculator but the numbers didn't transfer with the link.
FB Square .250: 22 by 22 by 24
Air opening: Two 10" by 2" sliders
CC Round .250: 24 by 67
Chimney: 6" = 22" or 8" = 11"
BP is .250 thick.

jaybird302 · Post by **jaybird302** » January 18th, 2014, 8:43 am

IMO, I'd go with the longer stack. It will help keep the smoke up over your head and not in your face. I'm sure Gizmo will be along soon to give you some sort of scientific reasoning for his preferance... btw, you don't have a fork lift do you?

SmokerBuilder.com