RF Offset Smoker Door Question

[dwfisk]

Little back story, I've come to the conclusion that my 24"x72' RF Offset is to small for many of the cooks I'm asked to do these days so I'm going to start building a new replacement soon and eventually put my current rig up for sale.

The replacement will be based on either a 250 gallon, 30" diameter or a 500 gallon, 36" diameter tank. One of our needs is to be able to do larger whole hog cooks so having the full width door is pretty much a requirement but a single 7-8 foot door with conventional top hinges will be one heavy SOB. I don't really care for counterweights so I'm leaning towards a version of "barn doors" like Shirley puts on those badazz cabinet smokers and that leads me to my question:

Has anyone ever seen, build or considered or just have any thoughts on cabinet style door(s) with hinges on the bottom so when the doors open they form a shelf?

 

[4ever3]

I'm thinking it would work great as long as they weren't so tall, that when opened (in the horizontal position) it wasn't to far to reach the rack.

 

[dwfisk]

I'm thinking it would work great as long as they weren't so tall, that when opened (in the horizontal position) it wasn't to far to reach the rack.

Great point, I'm thinking they would be about half the tank diameter so about 15"-18" and the cooking grates will be on slides.

 

[4ever3]

That would probably work then, and make a great catch pan for grease that drips when the racks are pulled out. I'd also say put a drip rail at the bottom of the door (when closed) so when you slide the racks back in and close the door the grease goes inside the chamber instead of the outside.

 

[SmittyJonz]

You would have to lean over them - Hot n Greasy -and still heavy to close. Be hard to one hand them. Go Shirley style with a removable front shelf.

 

[pjtexas1]

I get dirty enough with the regular cabinet doors that are not in the way. I'm short so I would be reaching over and probably getting grease all over my clothes. My ss table catches all the drippings and cleans up easily.

 

[SmittyJonz]

Give the New One a respectable paint job - like Camo. :mrgreen:

 

[Blythewood BBQ'er]

Hhhmmmm interesting idea. Would you be able to access the back side of the cooker like a double door lang? The ones on my Bubba Grill are light enough for the wife to open and you've met her she's kinda dainty!

 

[JohnnyB]

Im curious as to what kind of safety latch or handle combo would be used. Seems when they are able to open, if you didn't have a good hand on them, they could do some serious damage. I like the idea of them doubling as a shelf or grease trap, though.

 

[DownHomeQue]

I like the thought of that.. But I would think Shirley style with Fixed shelf would be the best and most useful alternative .. I wish I had done that on my 600 gallon I'm finishing up now.. Those doors are heavy but I will muscle them up for the first few cooks.. Working on adding heat rated gas assist shocks to them but it will be a while before I buy them.. spent to much on it already lol Looking forward to seeing your build!

 

[Bludawg]

I got to side with Smitty on this

 

[4ever3]

I say try it just to be different if nothing else.

You can always relocate the hinges.

 

[Shagdog]

I like the idea, but in reality, I don't think it would be great. They would be really hot and greasy. Even just bumping against the edge is going to leave a black streak against your waist. AND, closing the doors would be the same as opening a traditional door... Heavy..

 

[Bwick84]

I agree with Shagdog and others, I think you will get sick of rubbing up against a hot and greasy door.

 

[dwfisk]

Thanks everybody. Just a couple thoughts.

The tanks I'm working with have 3/8" wall that runs about 15.3 pounds per square foot so a traditional door 84" wide would run +200 pounds or more than I care to fight with.

Weight is really not a factor with Shirley style barn doors and they are probably my first choice.

My second choice would probably be the BubbaGrills overlapping doors and use 2 or 3 to get the individual door weight down to <100 pounds each.

My thought if I go with a fold down design is to fabricate a single door out of 1" square tubing with 16 gauge skins in and out (maybe stainless on the inside) and 1" of rock-wool insulation. My rough calcs put the weight at about 75 pounds, certainly manageable.

I appreciate the comments about "gettin dirty" and might actually be the driving reason Shirley style barn doors are my first choice.

I did think of another issue, if the door acts as a shelf or drip pan under sliding grates, there would certainly be a conflict with door mounted thermometer stems. Not probably a killer issue for me because I use wireless/bluetooth pit thermos and could live with traditional thermos on the back of the cook chamber opposite the door as backups

I'll keep my thinking cap on, got a little time.

 

[SmittyJonz]

SHIRLEY STYLE and CAMO. :heh:

 

[longwayfromhome]

Look at the clamshell doors on the Pitmaker Snipers. Classy.

 

[grilla]

You looking for something like this? Only problem is its still going to be heavy on a cooker that size

 

[4ever3]

Nice grilla!

 

[dwfisk]

You looking for something like this? Only problem is its still going to be heavy on a cooker that size

Hey Grilla, that is pretty close to what I'm thinking about. Nice cooker :thumb: