Input on new Gravity Smoker

[qdawg]

First post since brief into on "Cattle Call". Did research here and thanks to information from members especially cmohr74, unixadm, and dobdabomb placed my order for a gravity fed smoker. My wife is buying this for my birthday and says this will probably be my last smoker so I better get it right (good wife- she even buys me bulldogs!). It is just for my wife and myself. Ordered 24" smoker with refrigerator latch, auto temp controller with blower, all terrain tires and a cover. They will contact me before the build starts to confirm final specs. Having no knowledge about a gravity fed smoker, would like some input as to build specs such as:
Hing location for front door
Hing location for charcoal chute door
Hing location for fire box
Paint for top at charcoal chute (dobdabomb had high temp paint instead of standard automotive paint- would like to know if that has worked out?
Rain cap
Any other mods or questions I need to ask

Being a new member, I did not want to use a name brand so I would not sound like I was hawking one product.

Thanks ahead for any input and comments that will help me!

[Ron_L]

You're asking questions, not hawking, so please add the brand. It's impossible to get accurate answers without it.

[TheCougarGuy]

Congrats on ordering your new Assassin smoker! I had mine built last summer. As for which way the doors open, that's completely up to you. I have my door open from right to left because of where I have it in my backyard. I didn't want the door opening towards the house. As for the firebox and charcoal chute, they open from right to left when standing behind it. The firebox air intake valve is on the left.

I don't know if they changed the standard rack spacing but I added a rail runner between the first and second shelf (from the top) just to add some flexibility. I didn't add an extra rack, just the runner.

Make sure you have them put the temp probe access port on the same side as the firebox air inlet valve so your PitmasterIQ pit probe does not have to cross behind the firebox (see last pic)

Good luck and I hope you don't have to wait too long. You're going to love it!

Here's a few pictures of my setup.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/dbalentine/20140808_181421_zps95e2eeef.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/dbalentine/media/20140808_181421_zps95e2eeef.jpg.html)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/dbalentine/20140808_181433_zps96e6fc00.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/dbalentine/media/20140808_181433_zps96e6fc00.jpg.html)

You can see the extra rail runner between the first and second shelves.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/dbalentine/20140804_164959_zps08511cd6.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/dbalentine/media/20140804_164959_zps08511cd6.jpg.html)

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/dbalentine/e93097f6-5142-401c-8cdd-6323647119ca_zpsf7d3ae9b.jpg (http://s75.photobucket.com/user/dbalentine/media/e93097f6-5142-401c-8cdd-6323647119ca_zpsf7d3ae9b.jpg.html)

[qdawg]

Thanks Captain Ron- just wanted to be sure. As TheCougerGuy figured out the smoker I ordered is an Assassin 24.

[cpw]

Definitely go with the high temp paint on top of the chute. We had regular paint on ours and it started to bubble after the first cook.

[smokeacholic]

The top of the chute does not get hot unless you leave it open or cracked. I have high temp paint on the bottom sides of the chute for about a 18 inches up including the ash door. Never have any heat above that.

[Schooly D]

Don't want to hijack the thread but I'm also in the market for an Assassin - a 28.

So it sounds like key mods recommended are:
High temp paint on top of the chute
Possibly another rack/alternate spacing
Temp probe access port on same side of firebox air inlet


Robin steered me away from the all-terrain wheels, curious if there are any thoughts on those. It'll mostly be on my patio but also will take to comps.

Also, any thoughts on the firebox being on the back of the unit? That seems a little silly to go around the "rear" of the unit to periodically add wood. Is this a PITA or am I making it out to be a bigger deal than it really is?

Also, I'm thinking about doing some low temp hot/cold smoking (sausages, maybe cheeses, etc.). Anyone have advice on mods? Not sure if I really need to do much, maybe some "slots" for some wooden dowels on top of the rail runners is all I can think of, not sure if I need any other tweaks since I'd just setup a smoke generator outside pumping in for cold smoking (or maze box).

[qdawg]

Schooly D why did Robin steer you away from the all-terrain wheels? Mine will be stored in my tractor shed and rolled out onto gravel drive for use.

[twatsonr1]

On gravity fed smokers, how does the fire not travel up the chute and burn all of the charcoal at once? And do you mix the chunks of wood in with the charcoal?

[twatsonr1]

Sorry OP, not trying to hijack, I'm just curious

[harleykids]

No oxygen in the shoot to burn. Fire stays at the very bottom of the shoot...unless you leave the lid open!

Trick: place a piece of tin foil between the lid and the top of the chute each time you cook and you won't get all that creosote and build up on the top of the chute and the underside of your lid! Also makes your lid seal last longer since it doest get gunked up with creosote. Then throw the piece of foil away after each cook. Seals perfectly every time!

[Schooly D]

Schooly D why did Robin steer you away from the all-terrain wheels? Mine will be stored in my tractor shed and rolled out onto gravel drive for use.

It sounded like maybe they have a tendency to flatten? That was the impression I got. If they are critical (i.e. you're going over gravel) then they probably make sense. I'm going to keep mine on pavers most of the time and when I lug it to comps, maybe over grass. It sounds like the standard casters will do for my needs.

Anyone want to chime in on this topic? Sounds like the stock casters are 5"x2" performa casters with ball bearings.