New Smoker Build Questions

[Bad Hat BBQ]

I know I am late to the party and I am not a builder/welder...
Any chance of a door on the firebox? I have had 3 off sets and a door on the firebox is a must for me.

[Donw]

Back a few posts is a photo of the door on the firebox.🙂

[Huskee]

I agree. It allows you to use it as a direct grill if/when desired. Mine happens to have a flip-top door as well as a side door and I realize that while I didn't buy that intentioanlly I am glad I have it and it will be a must for me on any future ones.

[lumbrjk]

That is an interesting idea Huskee. Is there an adjustable grill grate in the firebox then? Could you shoot me a picture? Maybe another build.

[Greygoose]

Great fab,,,,
ur rockin’ it !!!!

[lumbrjk]

I extended the frame under the firebox and mounted two of the casters. I made the frame too high and am not a fan of how they turned out. 😢

The smoker frame is about 1 1/4 inches off the ground and glides nice, just not a fan of the look…

I am considering chopping it down. We will see.

[barelfly]

I don’t know much about stick burners, but I think this looks pretty cool!

[Bob's BBQ]

That is looking awesome. Can't wait to see her when complete. Keep up with the pictures!

[lumbrjk]

Added a handle, hooks, finished the casters.

[lumbrjk]

Pull out racks done today. Thanks for all the inspiration I found from members posting pictures of their stuff! Henrik nice website and great looking smoker you sell!

[Henrik]

Nice work 👌👌👌!

[barelfly]

Outstanding! Love it! Can’t wait to see that cooking it up!

[lumbrjk]

Thanks!

[lumbrjk]

What can I coat the smoker with to keep the metal look? A clear coat essentially…

Still need to build a shelf, bring the frame up for more clearance, and add an extension to the handle to make it easier to close when the lid it open and hot.

[rickgregory]

Once you have it down to bare metal, wipe it down with flax oil or similar, fire it up and let it season.

EDIT: That will turn it black. Not sure if there's anything rhat will keep in clear. Maybe a high temp clear coat? https://www.stovepaint.com/Products/...alox-293-Clear etc. But it's only good to 650F.

[lumbrjk]

Thanks for the recommendation. I may just end up with the black finish.

[rlozinak]

Good job, that looks really good. Can't wait to the cooker in use

[Oakgrovebacon]

Counter weight with stops will solve your door issue.

[lumbrjk]

Perfect. Thanks for sharing the picture. That helps! Could you also send one with the door shut so I can see the rough angle? Oakgrovebacon

[Oakgrovebacon]

Door closed. sorry I cannot get this pic to cooperate- keeps flipping on its side. Stops are made of wood. Ash that is heat treated in 375 deg oven for an hour.

[lumbrjk]

Thanks for the picture. The stops are cool!

[lumbrjk]

I added a front shelf and am happy with the position, size.

I live off a main road and as I was working on the shelf a gentleman drove by, stopped, and wants to buy the smoker.

I am torn about selling my project, but could build another. 🙃

[CaptainMike]

I wonder if that's how Chris Goodlander got started...

[Ahumadora]

Sorry I came to the party late. Been Bustin my ass with the last container load of pits that arrived and have my in laws in town at the moment. Let me know what questions you need answered.

[lumbrjk]

Hey! Better late than never! Curious about two things at this stage in the build:
1) Once you fire up a smoker for the first time, how do you gauge if the flow through the smoker is right? Is it all about temps, smoke color, and the like?
2) Looking at my build, is there anything you would improve on? With the possibility of selling this one I may be going down this road again soon.
Thanks for chiming in, Ahumadora! Been checking out your website and you have some cool pits.

[lumbrjk]

I reworked the base and am pretty much done. Need to figure out a coating, maybe add a thermometer or two, and add a grease drain…

thanks for all the input!

[barelfly]

This is so cool! That’s some serious skill you have right there! Congrats on the build! Now fire that sucker up!

[lumbrjk]

Thanks!

[Ahumadora]

Use boiled linseed oil for coating instead of paint.

[rlozinak]

Very nice, Was fun to follow