Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan- near Clare. (dead center of lower peninsula)
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
Time for the smoke stack. This one went through quite a few 'phases' in my head before landing on the final design. Due to availability of size and material I had to redesign it a few times, but I actually think it ended up better, so I'm happy.
I had a hard time finding a big enough steel pipe that was made from 'thin' metal. As soon as the diameter was 8-10 inches then the actual material thickness was 6-8 mm (1/4 inches). That would be ridiculously heavy for a simple chimney, so I had to switch. I was first keen on chroming the smoke stack for good looks, but in this case I decided to use stainless steel instead. Now, as everyone knows it is a bit harder to weld stainless steel together with plain (what we call 'black') steel. It can of course be done, using different welding material, but I couldn't be bothered. Also, I had to settle with a slightly smaller diameter, which I compensated by using a longer pipe, so it should all be good.
So instead I made a very short (2 inch) pipe in plain steel and welded a flange on one end. That little piece will be welded on to the end of the big tank/food chamber. Then I welded three more flanges, one onto the big pipe, and one on each end of the 90 degree bend. I was thinking quite hard about how to build a smooth bend, then I realized they can be bought off the shelf for a relatively decent price, so that saved me a lot of work. Why not? :-)
Here's the smoke stack, measuring in at 2.7 metres (8.9 feet). Diameter 160 mm (6.3 inches)
All in all I think it looks super-professional. And the air flow will be real smooth, as there are no sharp edges or turns. I actually think the main pipe is a bit too long right now, but I'd rather have it that way and shorten it later, than having one that is too short from the beginning.
Here's a closeup of the various parts/flanges. Note the 'regular' steel pipe to the far right.
I must admit: I had help making the flanges. So far I've done every single grind/weld/cut myself, but a friend's friend work at a machining shop so I had him make the flanges using their water jet. It is almost as old as me (the water jet), but making simple flanges was a no-brainer. Again, I traded some money for a lot of time.
The old water jet
Almost done
The firebox is done, but I welded two off-the-shelf hinges to the lid, just because I was a bit stressed for time and wanted to finish it. Looking at it now, it completely ruins the whole steampunk look, so I will cut them off and redo it by building/welding my own hinges. That way it will look good. Since I used two boxes (an inner and an outer), made from 4 mm steel (5/32 inch), it weighs a ton. Not kidding. I have moved it around quite a bit for the last few days, and darn it if I haven't lost weight ;-)
Next up
I've returned the heavy duty cast iron wheels, as I have realized that they're too small (in diameter). Instead I'm scouring Ze Internet for used/old trailers, or caravans where the caravan has been removed from the undercarriage. I'm thinking that this will be a big and heavy smoker, and if I can weld it directly to a trailer it will be so much more easy to haul around. If I can't find a used one I'm real keen on building one, as it won't take long. In that case I'll buy the wheels/axle, and build the frame using square pipe.
Jerod Broussard I totally agree thickness doesn't change conductivity and insulating thinner walls is the way to go. I guess I am talking more about thermal mass. Like a soda can cools quicker than a 3/16 wall pipe of the same size? Or not? inquiring minds want to know LOl.
Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan- near Clare. (dead center of lower peninsula)
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
LSG Adjustable Grill/Smoker, MAK Pellet Grill, Large BGE with Several Attachments from the Ceramic Grill Store, Weber Gasser, Cast Iron Pans & Griddle, Grill Grates, Mostly Thermoworks Thermometers, Avova SV Stick, BBQ Guru Controller and Fan
So, thought I'd post some pictures on the firebox assembly. Specifically the hole for the hot air exiting the firebox and entering the food chamber. It measures 4x22 inches (10x56 cm). I want it large so that there are no obstructions to the airflow on its way to the chimney. On the pictures you can also see the (almost) 1 inch airgap between the inner and outer box. On these pictures the metal has only been tap welded. I did a full seam later.
As for the insulation: the firebox is only insulated on four (as opposed to six) sides. The two short ends are left as is. I figure half of the one short end will be mounted to, and protruding into, the food chamber. The other has a big door to let air in, so not much point insulating that end either.
Looking "into" the firechamber, the door is supposed to be mounted on this end. You can see the air opening at the food chamber end of the firebox here.
Here's another shot, the single (outer) box before putting the inner and outer box together
Here's an overview of the construction, just for reference
Everything is starting to come together. What a great resource, having a local metal shop like that. I am enjoying following this one. Everything looks great so far. i cant wait until we can see some smoke coming out of this baby.
Yes, I'm looking forward to it also! Will stock up on a lot of cookies, so I can fine tune the air flow and therefore make sure the temp is even all through the chamber.
So, just a quick follow-up: I am currently in need of two things for work to progress:
1. A (used) trailer. This has proven to take longer than expected, but the search is still on.
2. A new welding machine. There goes my christmas money.... :-)
Work has stalled for a bit, but will post updates when I get the big tank home.
A little bit ago Skip said he admired your skill. Me, I hate guys like you, always have. My brother-in law built his own house, I hated it. My friends, growing up, used to jump into an engine do wonderful things, I hated it.
I'm the type of guy you could hand a welder or a box of tools, or whatever tool & I would give you my best impression of a deer in headlights look (be careful there Jerod).
What you are doing is beyond cool, the pics, the story line, everything is cool! Still does'nt mean I don't hate you for it.
Wow, thank you very much! Well, I grew up with my grandpa building 35 something veteran cars from scratch, none newer than 1920, so I had good training. My favorite was a 1907 Cadillac, one of his last.
Weber One-Touch Platinum (the discontinued 4-legged, dome hole in the middle model plus a Smokenator when smoking); ThermoWorks TW 3628 & Kintrex IRT 0421 for briskets & other long cooks; Taylor Weekend Warrior (for the lanyard, not the cooktemps) & several ThermoPens for all others. I fully embrace the Minion Method and use Kingsford classic briquettes & Cowboy hardwood charcoal exclusively. Dry woodchips, of course. Beer - Devils Backbone Vienna Lager; bourbon - ALL but Bonded is preferred.
RE: the welding machine - once the smoker is built, are you going to have a use for it? Is there some welder near you who'd trade a couple of hours' work for a nice pork butt? My Dad grew up on a farm, so I was required to learn how to fix vehicles (and I can't tell you how many dates I went on smelling like grease and Lava soap) BUT I drew the line at heavy work like welding. Then, you could use the savings to buy a better trailer.
(FireMan, I sympathize - I hated every minute of it, but I'm sure glad NOW that I learned how to fix stuff because now I say "Pick that up and do THIS with it . . .". AND, I know my limitations - welding being a big one. "Hey, you want to earn a quick $20?")
Last edited by Harry; December 3, 2016, 06:07 PM.
Reason: TYPOS, of course.
We had the vat of gunk that you'd smear up to your elbows and towel off. My step father taught us to be grease monkeys, helpful when the beater cars were older than us. lol
So, I can finally post some updates. The build is back on track! Nobody is happier than me. I bought a brand new welder, and it is a dream to work with. Short story: I decided to pay to get a real good one, and it worked ;-)
I have also bought a trailer that is large enough, which is good. You're not allowed to build your own, and drive it on the streets. It must have brakes, et.c. or otherwise you're only allowed to drive 30 km/h (18 miles/h). So, long story short, I found and bought one that was in good shape.
One thing that has bothered me all this time, especially when trying to find a trailer big enough is that the white tank I found lying around weighs a ton. Literally. I will have to rent a hyudralic crane just to move it around. Not to mention finding a trailer with an axle that can support the weight.
SO: I've decided to ditch the big old tank and roll my own, all the way, and built it 10 times lighter. After all, I am an engineer :-)
(might have to eat those words later on....)
Here's the trailer, nothing fancy, but will do the job. It measures 2.5 meters by 1.6 meters (8.5 feet by 5.2 feet).
As for the new design, I can't help thinking of an airplane fuselage. I constructed a wooden frame that is the size of the food chamber on the inside.
I have then ordered a bunch of sheet metal. I welded large sheets together, which will be wrapped around the wooden frame. After that I will weld L-bars (angle bars) lengthwise to reinforce the "tube" before wrapping another layer of sheet metal on top. That way I will have an insulated food chamber too.
But first the end pieces. They are 3 mm steel, as I won't insulate those. Took forever cutting out circles, but now it's done.
I then proceeded by cutting out a hole for the chimney. I then welded the chimney "adapter" in place. Check out those welding seams, pretty sweet.
Here's the backside of the same end piece. I decided to reinforce it since the chimney is rather large and heavy.
The firebox has now gotten "feet" also. I figure it must be standing on its own on the trailer. Other smoker builders weld it onto the food chamber so it is 'suspended' in the air, but I want the fire chamber and food chamber to be thermally decoupled, to avoid/reduce the risk of grease fires. Yep, getting all fancy, aren't I :-)
Now, onto the airplan....eer...smoker! Here's the inner food chamber being assembled.
As you can see I'm building a 'tube' or cylinder. Next up: reinforcing the inner tube with L bars (8 of them) running along the entire length of the food chamber. Then wrap the outer layer on top. And then: cutting holes for the lids!
Started Low-N-Slow BBQ in 2012. Obviously, it's taken hold (in chronological order:
1.) A pair of Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5's
2.) #LilTex, a 22" Expensive Offset Smoker (looks like a Yoder Witicha)
3.) #WhoDat1, a HUGE Gravity Fed Insulated Cabinet Smoker (cooking chamber 3'x2'x6')
4.) A Full Size Commercial Dryer/converted to Vertical Smoker.
5.) Jambo Backyard stickburner (my FAVORITE Pit so far)
6.) GrillMeister, a huge 24"x48" Adjustable, Charcoal Grill from Pitmaker.com
7.) 22" Weber Kettle with Slow-N-Sear
8.) Vault insulated reverse-flow cabinet smoker from Pitmaker
9.) BarbecueFiretruck...under development
10.) 26 foot BBQ Vending Trailer equipped with HUGE Myron Mixon 72xc smoker is HERE, Oct 2016!
11.) Opened www.PaulsRibShackBarbecue.com Food Trailer officially in March 2017
12.) Austin Smoke Works 500 Gallon Propane Tank Offset Smoker, named "Lucille" as travel pit for PaulsRibShack, Oct 2018.
12.) Opening Brick & Mortar location at 4800 Nelson Rd, Spring 2019. Had a pair of 1,000 Gallon Austin Smoke Works pits, both in RibShackRed for our new place!
Fabulous Backlit Thermapens, several Maverick Remote Thermometers (don't use any remotes anymore), Thermoworks Smoke, Other Thermoworks toys, Vacuum sealer, lots and lots of equipment...
I'm loving using BBQ to make friends and build connections.
I have #theRibList where I keep a list of new and old friends and whenever I'm cooking, I make 1 to 20 extra and share the joy.
Thank you! Well, using straps was an easy decision, I only have two hands... :-) I had to figure out a way to wrap that metal _and_ hold it in place for me to weld. Straps are now off. It worked.
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