Air Compressor Build

AK · 03-03-2019, 04:40 PM

Im new to the forum. Peoples builds look awesome and I have been wanting to do my own build for a while now. I found a 5’ long by 19” air compressor up here in Alaska. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on if it’s too small to mess with? I like how long it is but after seeing it in person I’m wonderinf if I should wait for something closer to 22”-26” to build. I’m not looking to do a reverse flow. I just want a traditional offset smoker.

SmittyJonz · 03-03-2019, 05:17 PM

I'd want a bigger diameter for a reverse flow. Cut it off at 42- 48" and build a traditional flow........

Radrob · 03-03-2019, 05:53 PM

That size will work for an offset. I just measured my Old Braunsfels offset and it's 16"W X 34"L with a firebox of 16"W X 17"L. It's a small offset but works fine and will hold a brisket and a butt.

I think you can make a good backyard smoker out of it. Check out Allen's welding and you should be able to pick up some tips. I like that he used the cut out door for a bottom pan for coals and that squared off door to get more room inside. This is a pit but you can add a firebox and it should be a nice setup for home use.

Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYxo9h6Jtdg

2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvSgdDOP2qU&t=1s

Square door method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZw6u83CC28

Bob C Cue · 03-03-2019, 06:07 PM

Welcome to the Brethren and best of luck with your build!

AK · 03-03-2019, 06:09 PM

Thanks for the responses. I don’t see myself getting crazy to be throwing lots of briskets on, especially for the price here in Alaska, $60-$90 for 13lbs of brisket. I’m not sure if the going rate in the lower 48.

I plan on using it for fish. I’m a fan of smoking it on the grill. Usually around 200 degrees with chunks and lump charcoal on my Weber kettle. Need an upgrade bad. I am making a smokehouse and just need to put the plywood up. But that’s for when I can salmon.

busmania · 03-03-2019, 08:14 PM

I made a reverse flow with a 30 gallon compressor tank. From your dimensions I’d imagine that tank is around 60 gallons? I think mine was around 16” x 32”. If worked ok but I think at the time I didn’t really understand fire management. I need to break it out again now that I understand fire management. My fire was always dirty smoke but I think that’s because I used too big of logs. If I ever resurrect it, I’d used 3-4 pieces of charcoal to get it lit and then use small wood chunks instead of small logs. Doesn’t take much to get something that small going. Build it! I think you’ll be fine!

robbie71 · 03-03-2019, 10:29 PM

Briskets may be expensive in Alaska but you've got the best fishing in the world (IMHO) and Hunting! I can't imagine having fresh salmon, ling cod, rock fish and halibut to smoke; not to mention moose and caribou. I'd be throwing rock at that old brisket!

03-03-2019, 05:17 PM	#2
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	I'd want a bigger diameter for a reverse flow. Cut it off at 42- 48" and build a traditional flow........ __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............

03-03-2019, 06:07 PM	#4
Bob C Cue Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 05-16-14 Location: St. Louis, MO	Welcome to the Brethren and best of luck with your build! __________________ MAK 1Star Weber OTG Pit Barrel Cooker Thermapen Classic Thermoworks Smoke [I]Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast[/I].

03-03-2019, 10:29 PM	#7
robbie71 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 02-28-19 Location: Houston, TX Name/Nickname : Robbie	Briskets may be expensive in Alaska but you've got the best fishing in the world (IMHO) and Hunting! I can't imagine having fresh salmon, ling cod, rock fish and halibut to smoke; not to mention moose and caribou. I'd be throwing rock at that old brisket! __________________ Pitts & Spitts smoker, Uvalco offset smoker, Masterbuilt smoker, Memphis Pellet Grill

03-03-2019, 05:53 PM	#3
Radrob Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-03-18 Location: Lafayette La Name/Nickname : Rob	That size will work for an offset. I just measured my Old Braunsfels offset and it's 16"W X 34"L with a firebox of 16"W X 17"L. It's a small offset but works fine and will hold a brisket and a butt. I think you can make a good backyard smoker out of it. Check out Allen's welding and you should be able to pick up some tips. I like that he used the cut out door for a bottom pan for coals and that squared off door to get more room inside. This is a pit but you can add a firebox and it should be a nice setup for home use. Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYxo9h6Jtdg 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvSgdDOP2qU&t=1s Square door method https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZw6u83CC28

03-03-2019, 06:09 PM	#5
AK Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 02-27-19 Location: Juneau, AK Name/Nickname : AK Smoking	Thanks for the responses. I don’t see myself getting crazy to be throwing lots of briskets on, especially for the price here in Alaska, $60-$90 for 13lbs of brisket. I’m not sure if the going rate in the lower 48. I plan on using it for fish. I’m a fan of smoking it on the grill. Usually around 200 degrees with chunks and lump charcoal on my Weber kettle. Need an upgrade bad. I am making a smokehouse and just need to put the plywood up. But that’s for when I can salmon.

03-03-2019, 08:14 PM	#6
busmania On the road to being a farker Join Date: 07-07-18 Location: Centennial co Name/Nickname : Matt	I made a reverse flow with a 30 gallon compressor tank. From your dimensions I’d imagine that tank is around 60 gallons? I think mine was around 16” x 32”. If worked ok but I think at the time I didn’t really understand fire management. I need to break it out again now that I understand fire management. My fire was always dirty smoke but I think that’s because I used too big of logs. If I ever resurrect it, I’d used 3-4 pieces of charcoal to get it lit and then use small wood chunks instead of small logs. Doesn’t take much to get something that small going. Build it! I think you’ll be fine!