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My Custom Built Smoker

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:52 pm
by Jimmy
Fire Box
I purchased a sheet of 1/8" plate and had it cut to 18" wide by 4'-7" long, had it rolled and the seam welded. Purchased a "barrel stove kit" for the door and damper then took the left over 18" rip of plate to make the ends of the fire box. Then I took 1/4" pencil rod and welded them to make a grate for the wood chips that sit on angle that can be removed for cleaning out the bottom of ash . 4 1/2" of the top of the fire box is welded to the bottom of the smoking chamber

Smoking Chamber
This was an old glycol tank from the Wal-Mart job that I cleaned out and painted the inside just seal it to make sure any dust etc would not fall onto the meat or fish. Welded up the holes from the piping and cut out the door, drilled and taped a piano hinge and welded 1" flat stock around the perimeter of the door for a seal. I picked up a 24" SS grab bar for a handle and pinged the flat flanges to contour around the tank lid. Purchased a BBQ thermometer so I could adjust the damper on the fire box door to keep the temperature around 175 degrees. I welded angle inside to carry the grates, I then welded 1/2"x 1/2"x 1/16" tube steel to make a frame for the grates. This way I can remove and clean them going from smoking fish to meat. The grates are 9ga expanded metal, the bottom grate is 20 1/2" x 33" and the top is 9 1/2" x 33". I picked up a 6" 90 degree elbow and a 6" vent cap

The Cart
Is our old BBQ cart that I pulled the BBQ itself out and did some mortifications to the cart sandblasted and re-painted it. If I ever needed to, five bolts and I can remove it. I was able to reuse the (2) SS shelves, one on the right is just liked it was on the BBQ the other one I modified the sides and welded them to the smoking chamber and welded 1/8" plate for support to the fire box. Picked up (4) hand truck tires and rims and welded 5/8" rod to the bottom for axles. As you can see there are no turning wheels but think of this as a wheelbarrow, I pick up on the shelf on the right as all the weight is on the left w/ the fire box.

All the nuts and bolts are SS or brass so I don't have to worry about rust and I picked up a heavy duty cover at Costco that covers the whole thing. As you can see it flows or "smoke convection" works better than I thought. I Love it when a plan comes together!!!!!

:thumbup1:

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wow

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:20 pm
by Paul.nz
jimmy that is awsome.I have never seen a steamer but that looks like something i have to make.I have 3 bbqs,2 gas and one charcole and i only use the charcole bbq.Do you just use wood to create the smoke?.I have some parts i could use to make one also.I am thinking of a lpg gas bottle as the burner and a pipe where the fitting goes up to a sealed housing where the food goes...
Ummm thinking cap is on now.The plan in my head will make mine about 1/2 a tonne so not quite portable like yours.

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:22 pm
by Ouch
excellent job on the smoker.. :thumbup1

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:00 pm
by ViPER
Awesome job..... whats for dinner???

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:49 pm
by Cowlitz River
next you can work on those ooutlets and lightswitches... looks like a fire hazard from here james!

Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:12 pm
by Jimmy
Paul, I use Mesquite wood for smoking

Cowlitz, Yes, good eye buddy, I am working on an electrical issue where the lights outside are kicking the breaker, they are on a GFCI breaker I think I narrowed down to the Neutral leg. I will let you know when I get it figured out
:loco: