MMMM.. BRISKET..
The BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS.  



Our Homepage Donation to Forum Overhead Welocme Merchandise Associations Purchase Subscription Amazon Affiliate
Go Back   The BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS. > Discussion Area > Q-talk

Notices

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.


Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 07-08-2011, 12:12 PM   #1
Igotgas
is one Smokin' Farker

 
Join Date: 12-14-10
Location: Orangevale California
Default Aluminum Smoker Build?

Awhile ago fellow brethren Capozzoli posted this thread that got me thinking

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=108247

Is it feasible to make a smoker out of Aluminum? Then I ran across this and the price was right at Free!





It is a traffic signal box and it is all aluminum. One guy loaded it in this truck by himself. Now I just got my hands on this and have not even started to think about plans, but I thought I would start here to see what say you. Ideas, Suggestions, telling me I am out of my mind, all welcomed. The Mrs. will probably take care of the last one when I tell her.
__________________
[CENTER]Chad [/CENTER]
[CENTER]Gator Pit (Holy Smokees)[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Custom built Propane Offset Smoker[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Rescued Red MasterTouch - 1998[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Smoky Joe - 1984 (My Little Girls)[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Ranch Kettle X2- 2008 With Brother Marty Leach's Handles and 1991 CL find.[/CENTER]
[CENTER]SS Weber Performer X 2 [/CENTER]
Igotgas is offline   Reply With Quote




Old 07-08-2011, 12:29 PM   #2
landarc
somebody shut me the fark up.
 
Join Date: 06-26-09
Location: sAn leAnDRo, CA
Default

I didn't know Tesco made aluminum boxes, very interesting. I thought all their stuff was thin to medium gauge stainless steel. Either way, lots of potential there. I think one thing that comes to mind right away is that aluminum is a great conductor of heat, but, a poor holder of heat. You will probably want to consider that aspect of your build.
__________________
[COLOR=DarkGreen][COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]me: I don't drink anymore

Yelonutz: me either, but, then again, I don't drink any less
[/SIZE][/COLOR][/COLOR][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]
[COLOR=Pink]SSS[/COLOR]
[/COLOR][/SIZE]
landarc is offline   Reply With Quote


Thanks from:--->
Old 07-08-2011, 12:48 PM   #3
Arlin_MacRae
somebody shut me the fark up.
 
Arlin_MacRae's Avatar
 
Join Date: 04-14-04
Location: Choctaw, OK
Default

I can think of a couple of pit fires I had that woulda scared chit outta me if my pit had been aluminum!

I'd check the melting point and all that before going for it.

YMMV
__________________
Arlin MacRae

Primo Oval Junior, Traeger Model 075 Pellet Pooper, Big Chief, Kingfisher Kooker 14" gas/wood combo, PBC Brethren Edition, Pit Boss NASCAR Tailgater
Home Brewer, Murderer of Squirrels, Armadillo Inspector
Flaming Pig Head Mod
Certified KCBS Master BBQ Judge
Arlin_MacRae is offline   Reply With Quote


Thanks from:--->
Old 07-08-2011, 12:59 PM   #4
azken
is one Smokin' Farker

 
Join Date: 07-01-11
Location: Arizona
Default

Now...if you could score some heat shield tiles off a soon to be obsolete space shuttle you'd have an out-of-this-world cooker
azken is offline   Reply With Quote


Thanks from:--->
Old 07-08-2011, 01:00 PM   #5
landarc
somebody shut me the fark up.
 
Join Date: 06-26-09
Location: sAn leAnDRo, CA
Default

Chad, you thinking of using a gas burner for this one too?
__________________
[COLOR=DarkGreen][COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]me: I don't drink anymore

Yelonutz: me either, but, then again, I don't drink any less
[/SIZE][/COLOR][/COLOR][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]
[COLOR=Pink]SSS[/COLOR]
[/COLOR][/SIZE]
landarc is offline   Reply With Quote


Old 07-08-2011, 05:37 PM   #6
bigabyte
somebody shut me the fark up.
 
bigabyte's Avatar
 
Join Date: 05-10-06
Location: Overland Fark, KS
Default

You might want to make sure it is pure aluminum and not coated with anything. OTher than that, if they make aluminum pans you put directly on a fire, I can't see any reason you can't have an aluminum smoker. Aluminum melting point is over 1200*F
__________________
Asshattatron Farkanaut, CGCFO
Chief Galactic Crockpot Foil Officer
Certified MOINK Baller & IMBAS Certified MOINK Ball Judge #0003 - Are you MOINK Certified?
Sole recipient of the Silverfinger and fingerlickin Awards!

Don't forget about the Throwdown Thingies!
The Secret Squirrel Society doesn't exist - Zero Club



Duh.
bigabyte is offline   Reply With Quote


Thanks from:--->
Old 07-08-2011, 06:02 PM   #7
Will work for bbq
Babbling Farker

 
Will work for bbq's Avatar
 
Join Date: 06-23-10
Location: NorCal
Default

If it's aluminum it will most likely be anodized. I would keep it as the outer shell of an insulated smoker and make the inner chamber out of carbon steel then either make it gravity feed or split the front door and make the bottom the fire box. Whatever you do, that's one hell of a score
__________________
Chalupa
00 Slowskys Racing

Agent 000 (Double O Zero)
Certified MOINK Baller

When all else fails just ask yourself, WWGALD???
Super sexy Farkernaut Avatar by N8man

Will work for bbq is offline   Reply With Quote


Thanks from:--->
Old 07-08-2011, 06:09 PM   #8
Zin
is One Chatty Farker
 
Join Date: 05-23-11
Location: South, Texas
Default

By the pic's, it looks more like thin stainless steel.
Zin is offline   Reply With Quote


Old 07-08-2011, 06:31 PM   #9
Daytrip
Found some matches.
 
Join Date: 07-05-11
Location: Springfield, MO
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Will work for bbq View Post
If it's aluminum it will most likely be anodized. I would keep it as the outer shell of an insulated smoker and make the inner chamber out of carbon steel then either make it gravity feed or split the front door and make the bottom the fire box. Whatever you do, that's one hell of a score
Agreed, being in the elements will oxidize it fairly quickly if it's not anodized or otherwise treated.

It looks pretty shiny in a couple of areas to be anodized but I can't imagine one guy loading it if it was indeed stainless. The hardware, handles, and support plates are probably stainless and there is visible difference between those and the outside sheeting.

As far as the structural integrity goes the melting point is important of course but depending on the alloy the more important thing is what percent of it's integrity remains at the temperature required. Being that you want to make a smoker out of it you should be fine.

I'd be much more worried about what surface treatment as mentioned above. The outgassing temp is something you don't want to find by mistake.
Daytrip is offline   Reply With Quote


Old 07-08-2011, 06:45 PM   #10
Capozzoli
is one Smokin' Farker
 
Join Date: 01-18-11
Location: Philadelphia PA.
Default

Wow, pretty cool.

It is most likely anodized. They put a surface on that type of aluminum equipment called "hard face anodizing", its transparent and hard to detect by looking at it. Im not sure at what temp it will burn at. You could try burning it of with a torch. Try a test are first maybe?

Are you considering insulation? Im pretty sure insulation will take care of any heat dissipation issues associated with aluminum.

How thick is it?

Cant wait to see what you find.

Im still considering the aluminum smoker build. I would like to make a large trailer smoker that any car can pull and that one man can wheel around by hand. Spicewine made a smoker for my friend that does the charity BBQ's but I am building them a large 3' x 8' Santa maria grill now. Im making it out of steel though.

Wheres NWBBQ?
__________________
[COLOR=Black][B]Meat * [COLOR=Red]Salt[COLOR=Black] * Fire
:flame:

[url]http://theholyravioli.blogspot.com/[/url]
[/COLOR][/COLOR][/B][/COLOR]
Capozzoli is offline   Reply With Quote


Old 07-08-2011, 10:46 PM   #11
KoonBQ
Found some matches.
 
Join Date: 06-27-11
Location: Newton, IA
Default

Nice score!

Now you just need a three light temperature indicator.
(think "stop light")

:)
__________________
Matt "Koondog" of team: Pork County BBQ - Captain of team: Koon BQ - 22.5" WSM
KoonBQ is offline   Reply With Quote


Thanks from:--->
Old 07-11-2011, 02:49 PM   #12
Igotgas
is one Smokin' Farker

 
Join Date: 12-14-10
Location: Orangevale California
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Capozzoli View Post
Wow, pretty cool.


Are you considering insulation? Im pretty sure insulation will take care of any heat dissipation issues associated with aluminum.

How thick is it?
I think it is around 3/16. I did not check for sure though.
I think with it being AL that insulation is a must. I like Will work for bbq's idea of the inner cabinet. Maybe reverse flow
Quote:
Originally Posted by landarc View Post
Chad, you thinking of using a gas burner for this one too?
I am still in the VERY early stages of design..... But yes, I am considering it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zin View Post
By the pic's, it looks more like thin stainless steel.
Definitely not stainless. All TIG welded Aluminum.

I am thinking of splitting it vertically and having a damper system so that if I am doing a small cook I can use only half of the cabinet. It has really nice doors on both sides, so I dont really want to weld it shut but ?
__________________
[CENTER]Chad [/CENTER]
[CENTER]Gator Pit (Holy Smokees)[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Custom built Propane Offset Smoker[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Rescued Red MasterTouch - 1998[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Smoky Joe - 1984 (My Little Girls)[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Ranch Kettle X2- 2008 With Brother Marty Leach's Handles and 1991 CL find.[/CENTER]
[CENTER]SS Weber Performer X 2 [/CENTER]
Igotgas is offline   Reply With Quote


Old 07-11-2011, 03:53 PM   #13
jestridge
somebody shut me the fark up.
 
Join Date: 12-28-07
Location: annville ky
Default

How thick is it.??You could line it with some ss flashing with some type of insulation board under the ss flashing
jestridge is offline   Reply With Quote


Old 07-11-2011, 04:58 PM   #14
Igotgas
is one Smokin' Farker

 
Join Date: 12-14-10
Location: Orangevale California
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jestridge View Post
How thick is it.??You could line it with some ss flashing with some type of insulation board under the ss flashing

Pretty sure it is 3/16. Flashing is a good idea thanks Jestridge. Where can I could get some insulation board?
__________________
[CENTER]Chad [/CENTER]
[CENTER]Gator Pit (Holy Smokees)[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Custom built Propane Offset Smoker[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Rescued Red MasterTouch - 1998[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Smoky Joe - 1984 (My Little Girls)[/CENTER]
[CENTER]Ranch Kettle X2- 2008 With Brother Marty Leach's Handles and 1991 CL find.[/CENTER]
[CENTER]SS Weber Performer X 2 [/CENTER]
Igotgas is offline   Reply With Quote


Old 07-11-2011, 05:09 PM   #15
jestridge
somebody shut me the fark up.
 
Join Date: 12-28-07
Location: annville ky
Default

Prolly at Lowes , they sell a board that goes around a fireplace.
jestridge is offline   Reply With Quote


Thanks from:--->
Reply

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Aluminum Smoker Capozzoli Q-talk 87 01-30-2012 06:04 PM
Smoker build tbutts Q-talk 11 12-13-2011 08:57 PM
My Smoker build is almost done, but I need some help. Igotgas Q-talk 20 01-31-2011 09:52 PM
New Smoker Build; On It's Way!!! McGurk Q-talk 10 04-26-2010 12:52 PM

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


Forum Custom Search: Enter your Search text below. GOOGLE will search ONLY the BBQ Brethren Forum.
Custom search MAY not work(no display box) in some configurations of Internet Explorer. Please use compliant version of Firefox or Chrome.







All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:40 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
2003 -2012 © BBQ-Brethren Inc. All rights reserved. All Content and Flaming Pig Logo are registered and protected under U.S and International Copyright and Trademarks. Content Within this Website Is Property of BBQ Brethren Inc. Reproduction or alteration is strictly prohibited.
no new posts