Adding square doors Question

[AndrewPalmer71]

I want to add Square doors to my current smoker build (see pics below). My current door opening is 1" back from 12 o'clock on the top and at about 4 o' clock on the bottom.

I want to maximize capacity with adding square doors.

Can I and should I enlarge the current door cutout? I am concerned with the weight of the other parts of the smoker causing my horizontal chamber to flex or stress.

Hope this makes sense. Thanks for any advice.

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[Rodcrafter]

Adding square doors at this point in the build you would be making your FB possibly be undersized. As for the flexing issue, I would make sure to attach all the parts to the trailer since it is there you may as well use it to support the smoker.

jm2cw

[AndrewPalmer71]

Adding square doors at this point in the build you would be making your FB possibly be undersized. As for the flexing issue, I would make sure to attach all the parts to the trailer since it is there you may as well use it to support the smoker.

jm2cw

Got it RC. I am thinking the same as far as Firebox size. Those square doors just look so dang cool though.

As the rig is set up now, I can operate it as a RF with the right vertical chamber closed off, or as a traditional offset using the right vertical chamber.

The firebox is roughly 22x22. If I close off the right vertical chamber and use it like a rf, the Firebox is hugely oversized. If I open the right vertical chamber, the Firebox is in the sweet spot around 100%.

So I've kinda got myself in a pickle. The only reason I'm considering adding the square doors anyway is because I fired the thing up in as an offset and the Firebox got the vertical unit in excess of 400 degrees with ease.

Then I started wondering if the calculations concerning Firebox size are the same for units with a vertical chamber on the end, as opposed to a completely horizontal rig with 6' of pipe to heat with one Firebox.

I have searched and searched and can't quite come up with any conclusions, so being the daredevil I am, I figured I'd try it.

But any wisdom otherwise may make me suck it up and keep the same old lame door. [emoji848]

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[Rodcrafter]

So let me get this right the vertical opposite the FB got to 400* with ease or the one above the FB?

What I did on mine to control the airflow is I made the throat adjustable and I have the damper for the opposite vertical barely open and I can run the horizontal with a nice small fire burning clean.

I have run mine at least 50 times since I changed it to this latest setup, like BigT said "after you run it a few times you can make it do what you want" if you have enough controls. You just can't start with a small FB and think it will be ok, there is no way to adjust for that.

You and I chose a very difficult design make work just as you wish but you can get it done with practice. Then it will be so easy.

jm2cw

[AndrewPalmer71]

So let me get this right the vertical opposite the FB got to 400* with ease or the one above the FB?

What I did on mine to control the airflow is I made the throat adjustable and I have the damper for the opposite vertical barely open and I can run the horizontal with a nice small fire burning clean.

I have run mine at least 50 times since I changed it to this latest setup, like BigT said "after you run it a few times you can make it do what you want" if you have enough controls. You just can't start with a small FB and think it will be ok, there is no way to adjust for that.

You and I chose a very difficult design make work just as you wish but you can get it done with practice. Then it will be so easy.

jm2cw

RC,

I thought I replied to this earlier, so forgive any duplication.

But Yep. That's right. The vertical chamber opposite the FB got up to 400 degrees. I have not fired it up since I added the box over the FB.

Could you upload a pic of your throat damper?

I very likely will have to install one myself. When I fired mine up I had all dampers wide open. I have not quite figured out how I will install working dampers. I'm probably overthinking it.

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[AndrewPalmer71]

Adding square doors. May have to increase my FB size, but I couldn't resist the look of square doors. Not to mention extra capacity. [emoji16]

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[Squiggle]

Looks awesome dude, & square doors are way better for both room & looks IMO.

[Big T]

That's some thick plate that you're using, RC will be proud of you. You'll definitely need an upgrade on the axle and springs now, it's a good thing that you added the tubing to the trailer frame.

[AndrewPalmer71]

That's some thick plate that you're using, RC will be proud of you. You'll definitely need an upgrade on the axle and springs now, it's a good thing that you added the tubing to the trailer frame.

Agreed! And tires.

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[Rodcrafter]

That's some thick plate that you're using, RC will be proud of you. You'll definitely need an upgrade on the axle and springs now, it's a good thing that you added the tubing to the trailer frame.

You're right again BigT!

Looking at the picture you may have changed your mind a couple of times. Which is all good, I just wonder about the bottom of the square door portion coming that far out from the Baffle Plate. If you take the side frames and draw a vertical line allowing for the angle iron you plan to use as the door jam and only come that far out, I think it will work better for you.

[AndrewPalmer71]

That's some thick plate that you're using, RC will be proud of you. You'll definitely need an upgrade on the axle and springs now, it's a good thing that you added the tubing to the trailer frame.

You're right again BigT!

Looking at the picture you may have changed your mind a couple of times. Which is all good, I just wonder about the bottom of the square door portion coming that far out from the Baffle Plate. If you take the side frames and draw a vertical line allowing for the angle iron you plan to use as the door jam and only come that far out, I think it will work better for you.

Thanks RC. I hadn't thought about that issue with the baffle plate. But I will address it now.

I made the square door sides as big as possible to maximize space. Since I'm going to increase Firebox size anyway.

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[AndrewPalmer71]

Made my warming box damper. Works like a charm. Now I just need spring handle grips.

Seemed like this thing took all day but then I recalled installing a dual filter kit on the cummins during the better part of the morning.

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[Big T]

Nice

[Squiggle]

[Rodcrafter]

I saw those fuel filters and had to go back to see what you said. I must have been speed reading, down here we call that looking at the pictures. lol

Nice work.

[AndrewPalmer71]

I saw those fuel filters and had to go back to see what you said. I must have been speed reading, down here we call that looking at the pictures. lol

Nice work.

Thanks fellas! If I could find some extra time other than the weekend I could get this thing finished.

Ordering steel this week to build a charcoal grill onto the side opposite the smoker firebox. Then a prep table/wood storage area in the middle, and propane fryers up front.

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