First offset build

[Mike0585]

I am going to build my first offset (possibly reverse flow) and need a little guidance. I have acquired an 18 inch diameter steel pipe that is just over 6 feet long. I am looking to do a porch model on a cart, so i will likely cut it down to 4 or 5 feet. I tried using the pit calculator and came up with a fire box size of 425 cubic inches if I end up at 5 feet long. That seems really small to me. If I am calculating correctly that is only an 8" cube and I was thinking I would be more in the 18" range. Is there something that I am not doing correctly? Is there harm in having a fire box "too big"? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Does anything change if I decide to go reverse flow instead of a traditional offset?

[hogaboomer]

Using your numbers at 60 inches long, I came up with a 5086 cubic inch firebox. 18x18x18 firebox comes out to 114%.

I reckon you must have put in 5 inches instead of feet.

[Mike0585]

I just looked at it again, and that is exactly what I did. Gotta make sure I keep my units the same!!

[Dirtytires]

No, same size box for both traditional and RF.

18 inch is great for a patio model but realize you will most likely only get one rack in it. Things get pretty tight with two until you get to the 20-22 inch pipe. You will end up with a sizable 50x18 rack but make sure that is enough/too much for your needs.

[andysmoked]

Mine is only 14” diameter, & 4’ long including the firebox, & that is ample for my needs.


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[Mike0585]

Picked up the pipe today. Not really sure how long this will take me with my busy schedule. Hoping to get it done before the snow flies, but we will see.

[towtruck]

And the sickness begins!!!!!!

[hogaboomer]

Where did you find the pipe?

[Dirtytires]

Things take time....don’t set a deadline. Have fun, be patient and you will have a great smoker when you are finished.

[dacolson]

Good luck Mike! I love the look of the straight pipe smokers. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[Mike0585]

Where did you find the pipe?

I work for a home builder and I contacted the place we get our structural steel from to see if they had any contacts for me. They ended up having this cut off from what was once a 40' pipe and they sold it to me as scrap pretty much. I feel like i got a good price for $150. It's 3/8 wall and 6'4" probably going to cut it down to 5'

[hogaboomer]

Hell yeah, that's a great price! I tried to get the fab shop I was working at pre Covid to sell me a piece of 24 inch, and they quoted me $85 a foot. Jerks.

[Mike0585]

I have it laid out to cut the doors. How heavy is too heavy for a door? I am debating between a single 4’ door or two 22” doors. It’s 3/8 wall and the doors will be about 16” tall. I am figuring the single door would land somewhere between 70-80 pounds.

[Big T]

My door is 42'' long, 3/8'' thick and it's pretty heavy. I put a counter weight on it and my wife can open it with no problems.

[Mike0585]

My door is 42'' long, 3/8'' thick and it's pretty heavy. I put a counter weight on it and my wife can open it with no problems.

Thanks! I didn't even think about a counterweight. Now I have some more research to do to figure all that out. I am glad that I am planning it all out before I start cutting away....

[Dirtytires]

Yes....single door with a counterweight. You will get really tired with a tiny 22” door and all those short shelves.

[tinspark]

Guys will weld a pipe or tube as a counter weight on a couple of posts to the lid and start adding weight inside of the pipe before they weld the end caps on if needed . That way you can find the sweet spot for the correct counter balance.

[saab DR]

Mike , i would make it larger than you think you need because friends and neighbors smell smoke they stop by . We Linda and i will cook 6 slabs or 4 sholders , maybe 20 lb of Canada bacon and freeze in packs for quick dinner .