So it begins

[RodgeA]

I started building my smoker today went to the steel yard got 1/4 steel for my firebox its going to be 12x12x15 first thing I did was cut the propane tank just enough to cover my fb to cc opening which is 4 1/2 by 4 1/2 square plus an half inch to stop any grease making its way into the fb I can't decide where the best place to put my fb door and intake would be on the front like my cc door or on the side if I put the door on the front I could have the air intake on the side inline with the cc opening if that matters at all but I like the looks of the door on the side I made a picture to help explain also im going to put my fire grate four inches above the bottom of my fb floor for air flow found an old smoker that someone got rid of with a good hourglass style damper 10 inches long 6 1/2 inches wide should be lots of air flow im going to center it as close to my grate as possible for air flow above and below my fire tell me what you guys think.

[Big T]

I put my door on the end of the fb and make my intake into the door. I have also built them like your drawing and not had any problems but I prefer the door and intake on the end

[Puff]

The intakes on my 275 are on the sides of the fire box. They were probably best there because their dimensions would not have fit them well on the door. It is particularly helpful to have the air flow from the intakes approach the fire grate from slightly below the grate.

While my intakes are 3x10 on each side, when actually at temp and cooking, they are only open about 1" on each side with 3 - 18" long splits on the fire grate and a small fire. That gets me a smoking temp of about 235-250 and very thin , nearly clear but not totally clear smoke. My wood is very dry, cut two yrs ago and covered outdoors. When adding a new piece to the FB, I do nothing with the intakes... It catches fire right away and smokes only a little bit initially and stabilizes in 4-6 minutes

More than you wanted to know?

[RodgeA]

I got my intake vent cut out today with an angle grinder was not easy lol now just need to cut out the fb door and I can weld the fb together since im using 1/4 inch steel do I still need to put braces on the fb door if so what would be a good way to do it also what would be the best way to seal up the gap in the fb door after I cut it?

[Puff]

RodgeA,

What disc are you using on the angle grinder? It really is a pain, my door has a bit of an advantage in two places. I am using an "X" brace on the door itself and a solid front on the fire basket inside to help shield the door from direct flame exposure

The x is made of 2" flat bar 1/4" thick

[RodgeA]

i'm using the thin cut off disc they cut much easier than a sawzall but hard to cut out shapes like the air intake.

[Puff]

Hate to say that I've had a ton of practice... Got it down to clean 6" circles ! Hate having to say that...

[RodgeA]

on your fire box door I see you stood your braces up would it make any difference if I layed my flat bar braces flat? if I don't it will be hitting my fire grate.

[Puff]

The rigidity of the steel in this position is significantly better this way

[Rodcrafter]

Your right Puff it is much stronger the way you did yours, but he doesn't have near the space you did in yours. You are going to make a square door right? If so using angle iron around the door plate will stiffen it and give you a place to install fire rope to seal her up if you want not that you need to but I did on my last one and I really like it.


jm2cw

[Puff]

I considered that when I wrote this , but obviously not well enough. You're right, my fire box is almost 30" deep. I think your idea is the way to go, then it will have a nice place to secure a gasket if wanted.

[RodgeA]

I got my firebox door cut out today going to cut our the door braces and door tabs tomorrow but I need some help I want to put the door tabs on the outside of the firebox door to keep the heat in and cover up the ugly looking but marks but can't figure out how to do it and still be able to open the door here is a pic of my door and another picture to show what im talking about.

[Puff]

I used 2" x 1/4" flat stock. Mitered the corners and ground the welds. The flat is welded on the inner edge to maximize cosmetics. I did have to make a little larger cut to the inside edge to make some room for the welds. A flap disc will make a much easier job of making some extra space and....you only need to do that to two of the perpendicular sides!

I don't know if you're seeing this photo sideways but when I click on it, it displays properly! Also, when it was finished, it's all painted black. That shiny look was only because I had sanded it for the picture at the time. Turns out, it may have helped

[RodgeA]

well I have my firebox almost done just one more side to weld on.

[Big T]

[Rodcrafter]

Nice

[RodgeA]

Alright guys I have the stand built and tank mounted and the firebox welded to the tank just need to cut the cc door now question I know how long I want to make the door but how high should I make it someone said it should be a quarter of the circumference of the tank I have a 14 inch diameter tank so 43 inch circumference so 4 divided by 43 comes out to a 10 3⁄4in high door someone with more experience want to help me out? I know I could use it lol I will have more pics coming soon.

[Rodcrafter]

I like to cut mine 1" above top dead center and 1" below center of horizontal. I do the one past center at the top so the rain won't be able to get in. The one on the horizontal center I go 1" below so that when I installed the bottom rack that one will be on the center on the surface of the rack. This also gives me room for a top rack in most cases

[Puff]

That's seems like a very good plan. I'm writing that one down too!

[Rodcrafter]

lol

[RodgeA]

Well guys here's the pics I promised I still need to weld up the last side of the firebox and weld the tank in then its on to cutting the door only thing I think I might have a problem with is the gap around the firebox door you can see it in one of the pics but it might not be too bad I hope lol.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

[Big T]

looking good!

[RodgeA]

Alright I have my firebox done and tank mounted and door cut out now I need to burn the tank out what would be the best way to do it build a fire in the firebox or build one in the tank itself?

[Smokeone]

I'd do both.