Good to see another Aussie on the site. Definitely build one for yourself first, test it, tweak it and then build a better one, tweak it etc. There are a few fellers building in Aus at the mo. But always room for more. This whole low and slow is a fascinating subject.
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
Thanks mate, yeah that's my plan. If my brother and my mates pay for material and throw a few beers around while they help out we'll be able to test a few ideas between us. You're right about it being fascinating, and it seems like a great community of idea sharing with the added benefit of good tucker!
Make sure you check out the pit calculator(s) while putting together your design(s). This will insure the correct draft and air movement. As for the question you asked, I put the seal on the outside of the door because 1. It does cover the not so perfect cuts. 2. I find it keeps water out and it is easy to gasket the door.
Making memories!
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
Welcome to the fun and games! RC answered your question spot on with the two best reasons. It does make it easier to seal a slightly wrapped door, which it is very hard to get a perfect fitting door.
Thanks for the responses, I hadn't considered the weatherproofing aspect. RC I've run the numbers in the calculator, I had no idea before I started looking into this how much science is involved as well as art. Now to wait for the tap on the shoulder so I can have some time to get started.
I would like to say that on the weather concept I believe that if you cut the door 1" past top dead center (12:00) the water will drip off the flange onto the back of the CC. I also cut about 1" below (3:00) so that my main or bottom rack will the occupy the center or widest possible space and still slide in and out of the CC.
jm2cw
Making memories!
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
g'day mate, good to see more Aussies round here. Just be careful with what you say here too cause most of the lingo we use confuses the crap out of these guys. Talkin about servos, sunnies, sambos & arvos just makes us look weirder than we already, hahaha.
Can't wait to follow your build, should be a cracker!!
Cheers Squiggle, after a couple of trips to the states I'm realising how strange we really must sound. I'm still tossing up between the door seals, I won't be cooking in the rain or anything but it is a spot for moisture to accumulate. Maybe if I plug weld them on, then seal the internal corner with decent high temp silicone?
It won't stop water ingress but it should prevent/delay the rusting process.