First Smoker Build

[maltnpepper]

Hey fellow pitmasters! I've decided to have a go at building my own smoker. I picked up this old air compressor tank. It's about 60 inches long and a 20ish inch diameter. 1/4 inch steel. I'd like to make an offset out it...pic below.

Before I start, I wanted to seek some guidance from the Pit to ask about the tank and the dimensions of the cook chamber. Using the full tank, it would be about a 50ish inch by 19 inch cooking surface. I don't have much experience cooking on an offset, so I was wondering if that would be too big of a chamber to have a good draw and consistent temps? I was planning on a 20x20x20 inch firebox. Would that work? Or would it be better to shorten the tank?

[Uncle Bob]

The size of the cooking chamber has little to do with the ability to draw, that's more impacted by how you build the intake and exhaust elements. I have an LSG 48x24 and will say that having that length of cooking chamber gives you plenty of options for placement of the wide variety of proteins we choose to eat. This is especially important depending on which style of transfer portal from the firebox to the cook chamber you choose to use. For example, if you go simple and just have a hole with no ducting/baffles the first foot or so of grate space at the firebox end won't be of much use for low and slow cooking, that's why you see water pans in that space often.

There are many resources for good design. To get you started, here's some good info from our own member Henrik : Hank's Offset Smoker Manifesto - Hanks True BBQ™

[maltnpepper]

Good to know! I think it would be nice to have the extra space and not have to cut up the tank, even though it's probably more space than I actually need. I'm sure I'll have an opportunity to use it all at some point.

Thanks!

[Uncle Bob]

Not to discourage, but rather encourage, the link above is just a starting point. Offset design is another of those things that fall into the category of, the more you learn, the more you learn there's more to learn.

[realdocBBQ]

Dude that's a PERFECT size for a backyard cooker! It's essentially the same as the one I built last year, that's an 80 gallon tank. Here's what I did with mine:



And here's what I can fit in it!



And a 20x20x20 firebox is fine for it, that's about 34 gallons, perfect in my opinion. I do like a little bit bigger firebox, as I like to manage the fire with a shovel.

I just finished the firebox for a new larger build, I need to take some pics and post up a build thread on that one - probably tonight. I had to take some time off to replace my welder, get that in, set up and then build a new welding cart for it, as it wouldn't fit on my old one.


Welcome to the site, man! I've got some other resources for ya, if'n ya want more tips/hints/advice, etc. I'm a newbie at this, but quickly got bitten by the metalworking 'bug' and I am loving it!

Just sent the first one off I didn't build for myself!



It's a fun hobby, and super gratifying to finish up and cook on one you build yourself by hand!

Good luck, man!

[TripleB]

Now you sir, I would call a pitmaster. Very impressive.

[realdocBBQ]

Those were the small ones! lol

[maltnpepper]

Hey thanks for sharing! I could see myself getting into metalworking a little bit. I don't have much experience but I have some friends who know what they're doing and are willing to help. I'd definitely be interested in any resources you think are helpful. I'm a pretty big researcher before I fully dive into something.

[Henrik]

Cool. Use the whole tank, it’s easier (less work) and it looks better with the rounded ends. I would add some length (depth?) to the firebox. Make it 24-26” long instead, it will let you build a fire far in, or closer to the door, depending on season.

[realdocBBQ]

Totally agree, I like a longer firebox. I did 30" long on both my 80g and the 60g I just finished, I think they are super nice to work with.

[maltnpepper]

Thanks for the advice! I hadn’t thought of building the fire closer to or further away from the cook chamber and how that would affect the cook. Pretty cool!

[Bob K]

This place is the best. I'm a bit of a woodworker, no stranger to tools, but seeing what you guys can do with steel blows my mind. realdocBBQ your posts always amaze.

[realdocBBQ]

Thanks, man, appreciate it! Got a big build coming soon. Finishing up my welding cart, putting a new 240V drop in tomorrow prolly, then I'll start sharing the new build I'm working on.