Building my first smoker. Any suggestions

[Rub-A-Dub]

Ok this is my first smoker that I am building for my first comp. I have a basic design in mind that puts the firebox behind and below the cooking chamber. Not sure if this is the best design but I'm sure the brethern can point me in the right direction if it is not. Have not started building it yet but have all the parts and will be starting soon. The other question I have is should I make it a gas or coal smoker. Asking for a little help from the good folks here as this the first smoker I have built for myself.

thanks as always

Rub-A-Dub

 

[Norcoredneck]

Ugly Drum Smoker!

 

[swamprb]

Ugly Drum Smoker!

I second that emotion!

Brian

 

[Rub-A-Dub]

can i get a link to a pic of the smoker?

 

[Harbormaster]

Ok this is my first smoker that I am building for my first comp. The other question I have is should I make it a gas or coal smoker.

Congrats on deciding to build a smoker.
To answer your question, if you plan on using it for comps, it will have to be a wood/charcoal fired cooker. No gas (ptoooey!) allowed at most comps.

 

[Countryhb]

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<------:biggrin:

 

[Chris Nickelson]

you could rig a gas weed burner to start it. but be careful. gas+air+containment+fire = big boom.

Just make sure you have enough opening between fire box and meat chamber to allow max drafting. try to make firebox as air tight as possible. Seal the door as best you can, that will allow you to control the fire by only feeding it the amount of air you want it to have.

 

[BBQ Grail]

I second that emotion!

Brian

Third!

 

[Puppyboy]

I've been toying with the idea of building a cooker with the fire box centered behind and below the cooking chamber. I figure this will save on space and help evenly heat the cooking chamber. Like others have said gas is prohibited in several comps.

 

[Norcoredneck]

Here is the Grand prize Winner in the Miller Welds Backyard Project 2007 contest 1-5 hour category :biggrin: .

 

[Norcoredneck]

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<------:biggrin:

Is that a Hillbilly still?:biggrin:

 

[Countryhb]

I'm surprised you could see past the Norco Neckwarmer far enough to recognize it! Now, about this "cooker". What do you do when you want to cook for more than 5 people? Do you have 20 of those to set up so you can feed a real crew? :biggrin:

 

[Professor Salt]

Pat, did you build this rib rack yourself or is it store bought?

 

[Professor Salt]

To answer your question, if you plan on using it for comps, it will have to be a wood/charcoal fired cooker.

Ditto what Harbormaster said. Be sure to read the rules for whoever sanctions the contests in your part of the world and build cooker accordingly.

 

[AzQer]

Im waiting till my brother in laws shop is done i would like to build a little comp trailer. I m thinking og a horzontal with on upright also. not sure yet

 

[Rub-A-Dub]

found this in another post http://www.compuvices.com/smoker.shtml. Can anyone make this better or is this one good?

 

[burnin butts]

Building a smoker

I built my first smoker two years ago. I put my firebox directly underneath and center of the cooking chamber. you have the right idea. from the firebox, I cut two holes 3"x15" on each end of the cooking chamber for the heat to rise. above thaos holes and across the bottom, I put 1/4" plate steel to divert the heat and make it cook evenly. the end result was great!! I put the two exaust stacks in the center to make the heat draw evenly from the sides to the center. Be sure to drop your exaust stacks approx 6" below the top of your cooking chamber to allow the heat to recirculate. This turns your smoker int a convection oven. If you need pix, let me know.

 

[Puppyboy]

....If you need pix, let me know.

I'd like to see some of those pics if you got em.

 

[bonniesboytoy]

If you put the firebox behind ..doesn't that make it hard to refill..

 

[gundogholly]

I saw that cooker you are talking about. I got ideas from them and other pic's from the net. Found BBQ Brethern after I finished it. Make it tight and fire box big enough. I am still sacraficing meat to figure mine out.