Custom smoker thoughts

[auscos]

I am in the process of custom designing a smkoer. Basically I am thinking of a heavy duty offset firebox with 4-5 vent pipes feeding heat/smoke up to the smoke box. I figure using this method should help in even temperatures.

For the smoke box itself, I think maybe a sheetmetal box, lined ith ceramic tile on the inside, with a layer of insulation and a sheetmetal shell on the outside.

Theorectically, the dispersed heat and heating qualities of the tile surface should Provide very even heat throughout the box with minimal fuel usaeage.

I would love to hear thoughts of by brethren.

[kcquer]

Damon, if you haven't been to this site it's definitely worth a look

http://www.yellowjacketsystems.com/que/

There are also a few archive threads on smoker design although I can't specifically think of a good search term that would help you find them. Laminated construction has been discussed. Your multiple vents sounds interesting. As for the use of tile, I don't know that I could reccomend it even in the smoke box for something portable, and in areas where they heat quickly and unevenly they are quite fragile. Check out the use of firebrick at the above link. If you're willing I'd like to see your design.
There is also some design ideas in the files section. Good luck.

[BigAl]

Damon, I searched the net using www.dogpile.com for "BBQ Smoker Plans" when I was looking for a new smooker/grill. You can learn a lot before you start by combining the best ideas from each.

I also learned that the only safe brick/tile is "fire bricks" all others may give of toxic gasses when heated to food cooking levels and therefore should not be used in any type cooker.

This site has some of the best advice for "doing your own". Take a look before you start.
http://www.exit201.com/cyclops/cyclops.shtml
Be sure to look at the Tips section.
DYcookers on Yahoo also has some good info.
Good luck.

[Trout_man22]

I would use rock wool insulation between two pans. The rock wool is light weight and wiil keep the outside of the smoker touch safe. The pans could be bent up at any sheet metal shop with one of them made to slip inside of the other. Then through bolt them with spacers to keep the pans from buckling. The weight would be reduced while retaining more heat (smaller fire.) Rock wool is really good to 250 F but will not brake down above that temperature. It is used in stoves and refrigeration systems.

Trout Man

[auscos]

Guys,

Thanks for the input.

First off, my preliminary research found different info than you did on the use of tile, Al. I do not know which of our sources are correct, however. I do know that the "Green Egg" cooker and every tandoori cooker in every Indian restaurant are ceramic/clay. I am not a clay expert, but I am certain that there must be some safe, tile product that I could use. Altho I have not confirmed a safe method of affixing the tile to the inside of the box. But I am assuming that there is bound to be a glue ot mortar for this purpose. More research is underway on my end, regarding both the tile and adhesive.

KC, The brittleness/breakage issue is a good point. Especially since I intend to use this on a mobile base. Again more research will be done. But it is my understanding that if properly fired originally, the tiles should be good to 1000 degrees without loss of integrity. Now moving them around on a trailer may be an issue...

Trout_man, Yes, rock wool seems like the ticket for the insulation. BUt I am kind of confused as the what you are talking about with the pans.

I am envisioning the smoke box the be about 60" wide by 54" tall. Double swinging doors in front. Divider in the middle, so that there are two seperate, side-by-side cooking areas.

[kcquer]

. BUt I am kind of confused as the what you are talking about with the pans

I think he is referring to the inner and outer sheetmetal shells each as a pan.

[Trout_man22]

Kcquer is right. It would form a laminated wall. Think about the shirt boxes you get at Christmas the two parts just slip pass each other, and the shirt that you will never use is the rock wool.

[chad]

Something like this, perhaps?

This particular model has a full hog rotisserie and the top can be opened via a winch.

Each side has four pull out shelves.

www.partygrills.com

[auscos]

I was doing some internet searches, and I found a discussion adding a ceramic tile or other material o an oven to distribute heat. Her is what one guy had to say:

An insulated cookie sheet works by a slightly different mechanism than does a ceramic tile. However, both will probably do an adequate job of more evenly distributing the heat coming from the burner.

A rectangular copper, iron, or aluminum plate would also work pretty well I'd guess. the goal is to distribute heat sideways.

I don't think glazed or unglazed tile would perform be any different thermally, but a glazed or porcelain one would likely be easiest to clean.

The cookie sheet approach has the benefit that the cookie sheet won't break if something cold spills on it in the hot oven. This is not true with ceramic tiles.

A big piece of slate might be good too. I've heard that one of the pizza parlors in town cooks pizzas directly on a slate floor in their oven.

I taught upper level engineering courses related to this topic for years and would be happy to go into detail if you contact me.


He sounds pretty knowledgeable about the subject. I sent him an email pertaining directly to smkers. I hope he replies and shares his expertise.

[BigAl]

....probably, well I'd guess, don't think, would likely, might be good too, I've heard..... :roll:

He does not sound like any engineering instructor that I ever had....they were absolute about every thing, leaving no doubts about theroy, proven and tested with measured results over time.

I think it might be interesting or maybe not as to reading his response to your email, I quess.

IMHO>>>>my $.10 worth.

[Trout_man22]

I agree with BigAl, I would love to see his response. He might be the smartest guy on earth but his quote does not make you think that.