dwfisk
Quintessential Chatty Farker
If I've heard it once I've heard it hundreds of times:
I generally try to point folks to a Weber or ceramic, maybe something like a 36 Lang or Shirley Fabrication patio model but folks keep asking for a compact cooker loaded with features. So, I put pencil to paper, thought this thing up and built one:
First off, I can't say enough about having a good solid fabrication table if you are going to take on this kind of project. This is the beginning of the skeleton (1X1 tubing).
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Firebox tacked in, you can see the exit from the firebox into what will be a plenum under the RF plate. All the inside plates exposed to direct fire are 11 gauge (1/8 inch), the skin is 16 gauge (1/16 inch).
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Bottom of the firebox and plenum getting insulation (1 inch rock-wool). You can see the bottom skin and expanded metal for the storage shelf on the table behind the cooker.
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More insulation.
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And skin.
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Top w/exhaust stack
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And all skinned out.
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Firebox door, daisy wheel air inlet and latch mocked up.
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And here it is back from sand blasting with a fresh coat of high temp paint during the seasoning burn on Saturday.
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Today I did a trial run of brisket, 1/2 chickens and grilled corn.
18# packer with Oakridge Brisket rub
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Followed by four 1/2 chickens with Badia Sazon Tropical seasoning.
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Finished product.
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And a final shot of the finished cooker. It really did a great job, very miserly on fuel (I did the brisket on Stubbs w/chunks of pecan; did the chicken with small spits of hickory). Yep it was all good!
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Well, this has already gotten to long so I'll finish up by saying I'm happy to answer any specific questions.
I'm planning on bringing it out to the North Texas Brethren Bash late this week.
Thanks for looking.
- I only cook for a few of us at home and just don't need a smoker that big.
- I don't have room for a trailer rig.
- I want something for the back porch.
- I want something I can grill on too.
- or a dozen other variations on this same theme.
I generally try to point folks to a Weber or ceramic, maybe something like a 36 Lang or Shirley Fabrication patio model but folks keep asking for a compact cooker loaded with features. So, I put pencil to paper, thought this thing up and built one:
- Compact cooking deck, about 30 inches wide and 20 inches deep and the cooking deck sits at about 36 inches above the ground.
- Reverse flow design with firebox grate & ash pan.
- A separate charcoal grate and ash pan to allow direct/indirect cooking.
- Cast iron cooking grates (if you want to direct sear you can't beat CI)
- Fully insulated.
First off, I can't say enough about having a good solid fabrication table if you are going to take on this kind of project. This is the beginning of the skeleton (1X1 tubing).
Firebox tacked in, you can see the exit from the firebox into what will be a plenum under the RF plate. All the inside plates exposed to direct fire are 11 gauge (1/8 inch), the skin is 16 gauge (1/16 inch).
Bottom of the firebox and plenum getting insulation (1 inch rock-wool). You can see the bottom skin and expanded metal for the storage shelf on the table behind the cooker.
More insulation.
And skin.
Top w/exhaust stack
And all skinned out.
Firebox door, daisy wheel air inlet and latch mocked up.
And here it is back from sand blasting with a fresh coat of high temp paint during the seasoning burn on Saturday.
Today I did a trial run of brisket, 1/2 chickens and grilled corn.
18# packer with Oakridge Brisket rub
Followed by four 1/2 chickens with Badia Sazon Tropical seasoning.
Finished product.
And a final shot of the finished cooker. It really did a great job, very miserly on fuel (I did the brisket on Stubbs w/chunks of pecan; did the chicken with small spits of hickory). Yep it was all good!
Well, this has already gotten to long so I'll finish up by saying I'm happy to answer any specific questions.
I'm planning on bringing it out to the North Texas Brethren Bash late this week.
Thanks for looking.
