Offset Smoker Build.

lewisc · Feb 10, 2019

I might have under estimated the size of this project. It's going to be a fun one. It might take a while though.

After using a Chargriller for a while and fighting it for consistency, I've decided to build one. I've been searching this forum, Youtube, Aaron Franklin's book and videos and have come up with a bit of a plan.

It's based on the Yoder Witchita and a build I found on the forum. I picked up a couple of pieces of steel pipe today and am getting the final details ready. The chamber will be 1000mm in length, just under 510mm in diameter. Firebox is 500mm long by 510mm. The pipe is 6.8mm thick - just over a 1/4". It's heavy. I didn't realise how solid it will be. So far, I'm into it for $AU235. I'll need to buy some plate for the rest of it but I've got some steel for the legs/base.

I toyed with the idea of a reverse flow smoker but will probably go with a traditional offset with some tuning plates.

Any advice and ideas are welcome.

Mikhail · Feb 10, 2019

Nice. Keep us posted.

Happy Hapgood · Feb 10, 2019

I can't speak to the design but if your following Aaron Franklin's in his Meat Smoking Manifesto you will have a Great offset.

Good luck with this project!

breez · Feb 10, 2019

Have you thought about making it a top flow.

Stingerhook · Feb 10, 2019

Great project you started, following your build.

Peteg · Feb 10, 2019

I would raise the FB up so that opening to the chamber is right around grate level. Similar to a Jambo. I built one a while back that used that design with the Franklin type stack. Worked awesome. Even temps all the way across right to left. Good luck!

lewisc · Feb 10, 2019

Thanks - still a bit of planning to do before cutting anything.

Breez - What's a top flow?

Rockinar · Feb 10, 2019

breez said:
Have you thought about making it a top flow.

THIS.

I'd go top flow design and skip the tuning plates.

Rockinar · Feb 10, 2019

lewisc said:
Thanks - still a bit of planning to do before cutting anything.

Breez - What's a top flow?

Funnels heat to the top instead of dumping it all under the grate. It eliminates the convection killing tuning plates.

gtsum · Feb 10, 2019

If I did a stick burner, I think I’d go with a top flow like an outlaw or jambo

Memphis Elite

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lewisc · Feb 11, 2019

I thought I had it figured out. This idea changes things...maybe.

Does the top flow ensure consistent temps across the length of the chamber?

smoke ninja · Feb 11, 2019

lewisc said:
I thought I had it figured out. This idea changes things...maybe.

Does the top flow ensure consistent temps across the length of the chamber?

It does but it gets hotter in the upper half of the chamber so 2nd grates cook way hotter

breez · Feb 11, 2019

lewisc said:
I thought I had it figured out. This idea changes things...maybe.

Does the top flow ensure consistent temps across the length of the chamber?

That's the idea of the top flow design, plus you get more cooking space because there is no baffle under your grate next to the firebox. Jambo, Outlaw, El Rey and Rockin W are all top flow. The new 20" Lonestar's are top flow but a bit different with an opening angled downward allowing some smoke and heat to be circulated back through the cook chamber before exiting the exhaust. The top of the cc is the hottest, so if different temp zones are desired a top grate can be added.

OferL · Feb 11, 2019

ASAT · Feb 11, 2019

Hey Breez, concerning the 20" lonestars - do you think their upflow baffle reduces airflow? It seems like on all the 20" videos from you tube users there is quite a bit of back draft any time the FB door is opened and when first starting a fire it doesnt seem to draft at all - plus they all seem to have to have the FB door open when adding splits - could it benefit from larger intake area?

breez · Feb 11, 2019

I don't know enough about them to say one way or the other. It does make sense air flow would be low on start up because it has not heated up enough for recirculating to begin

lewisc · Feb 18, 2019

I'm getting ready to weld this thing together. I came across this smoker build where the builder welded the firebox on before sealing the end.

Any comments on whether this has benefits or disadvantages?

Also, would cutting the lid before sealing the ends make any difference in the build?

lewisc · Mar 15, 2019

Found some time to get back to this. I’ve cut out a few circles with the plasma cutter. Much harder than it looks on a video but much easier than using and angle grinder.

I’ve also welded the base together. Next up is to get a mate to help lift the chamber on the base to check proportions, weld some casters on and prepare for welding the smoke stack and firebox.

lewisc · May 5, 2019

It's taken me a while to make some progress on this project. Any advice would be welcome for this next part.

I decided to make some wheels instead of using castors. The wheels are taller than the castors I had intially planned on using. I used a CNC router to help make up a few jigs for bending and aligning the wheel spokes. The welds are a little messy but strong. Lots of practice to come.

Aaron Franklin, standing at 5.10 recommends 36" (915mm) for grill height. I'm a slight bit taller at 5.11.

Since I've made my own wheels that are bigger than my intial plan of castors, the grill height is sitting at 42" (1070mm). Am I overthinking things? Anyone thinking this is going to be a problem?

SmittyJonz · May 5, 2019

Firebox Looks Too Low - not much overlap - makes hole from FB to cook Chamber Too Small. How Big will the Hole from firebox to cook chamber be?

Offset Smoker Build.

Is lookin for wood to cook with.

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Is lookin for wood to cook with.

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