Built Smoker with great visions

gundogholly · 08-13-2007, 03:34 PM

Well I built this. Now what? Any suggestions on what to add or how to keep the thing hot?

butts a fire · 08-13-2007, 03:37 PM

Looks good have you fired it up yet?

gundogholly · 08-13-2007, 03:41 PM

A few weeks ago I cooked a butt in it without the fire box and it was great. I added the box this week and smoked a Brisket and a butt and it was so so. Trouble with keeping temp up. I have gaps I have to get sealed up.

VGuilford · 08-13-2007, 03:42 PM

How does your firebox connect to it? Got more pics?

gundogholly · 08-13-2007, 03:44 PM

A five inch pipe like the stack. give me a few minutes on more pics. not real quick.

Bbq Bubba · 08-13-2007, 03:47 PM

Good lookin smoker! Firebox may be a lil on the small side? the 5" is probably most your heat issue though.
P.S. are there any vents on your firebox??

gundogholly · 08-13-2007, 03:51 PM

Well I was hoping to use the door, but last night I found i may need something else. To much ash too.

gundogholly · 08-13-2007, 03:54 PM

I think I attached some pictures of this thing in progress.

gundogholly · 08-13-2007, 04:16 PM

I slid a 4" pipe down in the 5" pipe I can lower it to the level of the racks or lower. Any thoughts on bring your stack down inside to the level of the rack for better heat controll?

Bbq Bubba · 08-13-2007, 04:42 PM

Definetly bring your stack down to grate level, but sounds like your problem is getting enough air to your fire, install some vents on the side of your firebox and install a raised grate to keep the air flowing under your fire!

Brauma · 08-13-2007, 05:26 PM

Man, thats an awesome looking homebuilt unit!! How thick is your firebox metal? The thicker the better. FYI: The good Klose pitts have 1/2" thick firebox metal. No chit. Retains heat and makes your fuel go a lot further.

But think that you have to do that. Fire it up and send more pics. I like it.

gundogholly · 08-13-2007, 05:52 PM

The box is 12"x18" and 17" top to bottom. 3/16" or 1/4" thick steel. I am getting a high temp blanket made to fit the box to help hold heat. I realized that last night. I used about 2 18lb bags of Walmart charcoal to try to get the hang of it. Is that alot to use for about 8 hours? I have read that is not the best coal to use.

Bigmista · 08-13-2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gundogholly

Well I built this. Now what? Any suggestions on what to add or how to keep the thing hot?

I would add some charcoal or wood and start a fire.

CajunSmoker · 08-13-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmista

I would add some charcoal or wood and start a fire.

and some meat and make BBQ

Puppyboy · 08-14-2007, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bbq Bubba

Good lookin smoker! Firebox may be a lil on the small side? the 5" is probably most your heat issue though.
P.S. are there any vents on your firebox??

I would agree the firebox does look a little on the small side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gundogholly

I slid a 4" pipe down in the 5" pipe I can lower it to the level of the racks or lower. Any thoughts on bring your stack down inside to the level of the rack for better heat controll?

That is a common mod and would do it of you can.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gundogholly

Well I was hoping to use the door, but last night I found i may need something else. To much ash too.

Is the firebox door just at the top of the box or is there another one at the bottom? The longer you burn, the more ash you will have. Different charcoals produce different amounts of ash. I'd add a fire grate if you do not have one. That way you can just shovel out the ash through out the cook allowing better air flow to the fire.

08-13-2007, 03:37 PM	#2
butts a fire is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-13-07 Location: Parkville, Mo Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Looks good have you fired it up yet? __________________ Chad B Butts A Fire BBQ Team NB Bandera Webber Kettle Backwoods Party Pro Q Excel 20

08-13-2007, 03:42 PM	#4
VGuilford is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 03-01-07 Location: Raymore, Mo. South of Kansas City Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	How does your firebox connect to it? Got more pics? __________________ See Ya in the Smoke!!! Vern MooCow BBQ www.moocowbbq.com KCBS CBJ Texas Smoker Oklahoma Joe Original Vermont Castings Gasser Turkey fryer Little Smokey Joe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MoFo Chapter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

08-13-2007, 03:47 PM	#6
Bbq Bubba somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: New Baltimore, Mi. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Good lookin smoker! Firebox may be a lil on the small side? the 5" is probably most your heat issue though. P.S. are there any vents on your firebox?? __________________ Pitmaster @ Lockharts BBQ Beer Snob I cook the best brisket north of Dallas. Get over it. Northern midwest director for OBR www.operationbbqrelief.com

08-13-2007, 04:42 PM	#10
Bbq Bubba somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: New Baltimore, Mi. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Definetly bring your stack down to grate level, but sounds like your problem is getting enough air to your fire, install some vents on the side of your firebox and install a raised grate to keep the air flowing under your fire! __________________ Pitmaster @ Lockharts BBQ Beer Snob I cook the best brisket north of Dallas. Get over it. Northern midwest director for OBR www.operationbbqrelief.com

08-13-2007, 05:26 PM	#11
Brauma Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 05-04-05 Location: Goochland, VA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Man, thats an awesome looking homebuilt unit!! How thick is your firebox metal? The thicker the better. FYI: The good Klose pitts have 1/2" thick firebox metal. No chit. Retains heat and makes your fuel go a lot further. But think that you have to do that. Fire it up and send more pics. I like it. __________________ Mark - part of Cat Sass BBQ Team. Community Development VP - Secret Squirrel Society (but we don't exist) Member: Mid Atlantic BBQ Association. Member: KCBS. CBJ # 31818 "Life's too short to drink cheap beer or eat crotchpot BBQ" NB Bandera - refurbished; Two Big Green Eggs: Poncho - Large, and Lefty - Small; Weber Kettles; 6' fire pit; Super fast Blue Thermapen

08-13-2007, 03:41 PM	#3
gundogholly Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 08-12-07 Location: kingsport, tn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A few weeks ago I cooked a butt in it without the fire box and it was great. I added the box this week and smoked a Brisket and a butt and it was so so. Trouble with keeping temp up. I have gaps I have to get sealed up.

08-13-2007, 03:44 PM	#5
gundogholly Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 08-12-07 Location: kingsport, tn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A five inch pipe like the stack. give me a few minutes on more pics. not real quick.

08-13-2007, 03:51 PM	#7
gundogholly Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 08-12-07 Location: kingsport, tn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Well I was hoping to use the door, but last night I found i may need something else. To much ash too.

08-13-2007, 04:16 PM	#9
gundogholly Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 08-12-07 Location: kingsport, tn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I slid a 4" pipe down in the 5" pipe I can lower it to the level of the racks or lower. Any thoughts on bring your stack down inside to the level of the rack for better heat controll?

08-13-2007, 05:52 PM	#12
gundogholly Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 08-12-07 Location: kingsport, tn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The box is 12"x18" and 17" top to bottom. 3/16" or 1/4" thick steel. I am getting a high temp blanket made to fit the box to help hold heat. I realized that last night. I used about 2 18lb bags of Walmart charcoal to try to get the hang of it. Is that alot to use for about 8 hours? I have read that is not the best coal to use.

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