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Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking. |
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10-28-2010, 04:39 PM | #1 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 08-20-09
Location: Denton, Tx
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Offset build- firebox thickness?
I'm building a large compressor tank into a trailer based offset. I've determined that the firebox will need to be approximately 30" square, but I need to determine the thickness of steel I should use. I'm definitely thinking 1/4" is the bare minimum, but I'm wondering if I'll notice much performance improvement with 3/8". The price difference is about $140 which isn't bad, but I'm wondering if there will be any noticed improvement and if it's worth the extra wait.
Any opinions are welcome! Thanks! |
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10-28-2010, 05:06 PM | #2 |
somebody shut me the fark up.
Join Date: 12-28-07
Location: annville ky
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I have one with 1/2 steel but the steel was free , also have one with 1/4 steel it work great. Maybe do 3/8 split the difference. Also you might visit a junk yard or construction site and find some scrap
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10-28-2010, 05:12 PM | #3 |
somebody shut me the fark up.
Join Date: 01-23-04
Location: DFW, San AntonioTx
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Once you get it hot, it will be more efficient with everything else being equal.
__________________
You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline - it helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. --Frank Zappa Keeping Valspar in BBQ, one cook at a time. Recipient of a Huggies box! Shut up, and cook!!!! |
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10-28-2010, 05:40 PM | #4 |
is Blowin Smoke!
Join Date: 01-11-09
Location: Cumberland, RI
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Where are you going to be using it? Back before David Klose starting insulating his fireboxes, he was recommending 3/8" for normal climates, and 1/2" for people wanting to use the smoker in the winter. I went with the 1/2" on my offset. For the $140 I would go 3/8 over the 1/4. You don't want it to ever burn through.
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Chris Rhode Hog BBQ "The Most Dangerous Team in BBQ" - Jon Vallone KCBS, KCBS CBJ, NEBS |
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10-28-2010, 06:10 PM | #5 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 02-16-10
Location: San Jose, CA
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In riverside the thicker metal will not make as big of a difference since it doesn't get too cold in the winter - but you'll burn less to keep the same temp the thicker the steel so I'd use 3/8". If I had money to burn I'd use 5/8" SST
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10-28-2010, 08:35 PM | #6 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 06-26-10
Location: Manheim, PA
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Was just at a local custom pit maker in my neck of the woods (Meadowcreek BBQ supply) checking out a backyard pit. All their fireboxes are 1/4" steel, sales guy said they will not warp at high temps. Don't see how 3/8 could be anything but better though.
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Meadowcreek SQ36 with 2nd grate, 1991 Weber Performer w/ SS table, UDS, gasser.-Glenn- |
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10-28-2010, 09:25 PM | #7 |
Quintessential Chatty Farker
Join Date: 12-31-09
Location: Hernando,MS
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Thicker the better.
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10-28-2010, 09:47 PM | #8 |
is One Chatty Farker
Join Date: 09-14-10
Location: Rogers, AR
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The only problem with thicker is more weight. Not a real problem on a trailer, but on a backyard unit, weight is a factor.
Fred Bandara brother who often has to load it in the truck by himself. |
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10-28-2010, 11:21 PM | #9 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 08-20-09
Location: Denton, Tx
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Thanks for all the help, I think I'll go with 3/8.
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10-28-2010, 11:45 PM | #10 | |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 08-20-09
Location: Denton, Tx
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Quote:
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10-29-2010, 07:06 AM | #11 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 04-08-10
Location: Nicosia, Cyprus
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I don't have first hand experience but if I was doing it I would either user mineral wool or firebricks. And since I mentioned firebricks why doesn't the OP go with 1/8 firebox but insulated it on the inside with firebricks? The weight might go up but if you ever need to move the smoker by hand you can take out the firebricks and move them individually.
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10-29-2010, 08:00 AM | #12 |
somebody shut me the fark up.
Join Date: 12-28-07
Location: annville ky
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With 1/2 metal you don't need insulation
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10-29-2010, 10:05 AM | #13 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 04-09-07
Location: Jacksonville,NC
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I used 3/16.....I watch fuel go down the drain..... :o P
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10-29-2010, 01:02 PM | #14 |
is Blowin Smoke!
Join Date: 10-16-08
Location: Virginia
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Mine is 3/8th, I realy don't see much difference that 1/4 thick pits I have used. I think the big difference comes with a double wall firebox with insulation between. That said thicker can't hurt.
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Ole Hickory EL-EW, FEC 120, Lang 84, Custom Off Set |
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10-29-2010, 01:37 PM | #15 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 10-28-08
Location: Frontenac, Kansas
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My firebox is 30" wide, 26" deep and 26" high. I went with 3/8" steel and am really glad I did. My smoker is a 250 gallon propane tank that I made into a reverse flow smoker, and once I get it up to temp, its rock solid. Hope this helps.
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CBJ #31626 UDS Lots of Weber Grills Traeger Texas Pellet Grill My cooking blog [URL]http://babyboomerboyscookinblog.blogspot.com/[/URL] |
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