building my dream smoker

[FastFreddie]

Hi,

I am building a RF smoker. I have a question about my cooking chamber. I have an air compressor tank that I am using. It is rounded on both ends and is 66" long by 24" wide. Any idea of how many gallon tank this would be? Also, I plan on making the fire box 24x24x24. Does that sound right? Also I plan on putting a 6" stack that is 30" tall on her. Thank you all in advance. I am a serious bbqer and I am very excited to build my pit the way I have always dreamed of.

[Big T]

I'm not sure how many gallons it is but it should make a nice pit. Try running your numbers through the pit calculator and it will give you the dimensions that you're looking for. I would keep the fire box at about 110% of the recommended size, here's a link to the calculator http://www.smokerbuilder.com/pitcalc/

[FastFreddie]

Thank you. I just did it and have all my demeans ions figured out now.

[Puff]

Hi FastFreddie,

Good luck with your build, don't forget to post the pictures as you progress. Some times the gold nugget idea comes out and really makes a difference. Happened to me several times.

[Rodcrafter]

Sounds like you are on the right track!

[SmokinFF]

Good luck with the build.

[FastFreddie]

I got it figured out I hope. I am going to clone a meadow creek TS120P smoker. These things are very nice. My only question at this moment is about the calculator. It says to run a certain size fire box but wouldn't that box be different depending on whether or not I am running a reverse flow or a regular offset. My thinking tells me that the box should be slightly bigger if I'm running a reverse as compared to an offset. I am very excited about this build. I race IMCA modified sat my local dirt track and I'm hoping to use some of my race car fab skills on this smoker. Thank you guys.

[SmokinFF]

The calc is the gospel. Build your FB about 100% and you'll be happy you did.

[FastFreddie]

How far from the cooking grate should my heat plate be? How much slope do I put in the plate? The calculator says my stack should be 40.5 inches. I'm running it all the way down to about 4 inches from the grate. Do I count my 40" from the top of the tank or from the bottom of the stack? Thanks. How do I post pics?

[Big T]

The BP should be 2''-5'' from the bottom rack. I mount my BP level with a 2'' grease dam on the end and a 2'' drain, it's never ran over while cooking and I drop the nose of my trailer and drain it when I'm done cooking.. I don't let the stack stick down in my CC, so I only count what's sticking out. Here's a link to posting a picture. viewtopic.php?f=50&t=1874

[FastFreddie]

I actually was not going to run it down into the CC. I am going to run a 90* off the peak of the bell. Because there so a big valve there and I figured it will be easier to utilize the hole instead if patching it up. Plus I think it will look cool. Do you think this will work ok? And thank you by the way

[FastFreddie]

Our compressor at my work blew the motor. This was a perfect chance for me to finally build my smoker. First I torched off the motor flanges. Then I hit the welds with a grinding disc and flapper wheel. After that I cut out my fire box opening. I think I did pretty good for my first time. Hopefully the pics upload. Tell me what y'all think. Am I doing it in the right order. Should I burn it. Will that help the rust inside.

[Gizmo]

After the CC doors are cut - sandblast it inside and out. You'll never regret it.

[Rev.Mike]

[Big T]

I think it'll work as long as it's the right diameter and the length you were asking about is from the top of the 90* up to the end of the stack.

[FastFreddie]

I moved to a new house so my build got delayed. But I'm back nôw. And I'm lucky enough to have a Cnc plasma table in my shop at work to cut my fire box with. More pics to come

[SmokinFF]

Must be nice!!

[Rodcrafter]

Yep, I'm jealous'

[Rev.Mike]

[FastFreddie]

Cutting hinges

[FastFreddie]

We have a soda blast guy that leases a spot in our yard. He said he will do the whole smoker for $100 when I'm completed. Not sure if that is a good deal or not. But sounds like it will improve my results for sure.

[Puff]

I sand blasted my tank...it was a messy dirty yuk job. I could not describe it to you any worse unless you were there. And after the first 30 seconds, I wished I had a much much better hood . I'd say...let him do it. I have no idea about the cost but geez I used to believe that H-D was the Harley -Davidson moniker for HUNDRED dollars. Hundred dollars was anything you did at Harley ....that is, until I started build a smoker ;)

[Big T]

I paid $200 to get my last one blasted (tank and small trailer) so it sounds fair to me.

[FastFreddie]

I have not spent a penny yet. My goal is not to until I get to the grates and paint. I'm a budget minded builder for sure. My wife gives me the look every time I even mention smoker build. Lol. But I did come up on a free trailer today. It is all aluminum diamond plate.

[FastFreddie]

Cutting the box out