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HighTide · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:31 pm Post subject: Upright BBQ Smoker Build

Well, the time has come and I have started building my smoker. I've changed the plans I don't know how many times!

What's unique about this design is that it has double sided walls with a cavity in the center 2 inches thick. For insulation, I will use the same stuff that is used on kiln ovens. Because it is so well insulated, it is not hot to the touch on the outside, therefore safe for children. It is immune to cold weather and wind is not a problem. I've had to constantly stoke the current pit I have because the wind makes the fire out faster.

If you lay out the charcoal in a U shape and only light one end, it will burn a lot longer than if you light a pile of it.

I changed the dimensions so that I would make the most of 2 sheets of 4'X10' steel with little or no waste. It is similar to the design by Pit Maker's The Vault. http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/new...newthread&f=51

In the end, I've come up with the following "must have" features in the design criteria:

1. Upright cabinet style
2. Reverse flow smoking
3. Cover exterior and interior (except fire box) with 14 gauge steel
4. Inside of fire pit will be lined with 1/4" steel.
5. Three "slide in" racks capable of cooking 6 briskets at one time.
6. Heat will be provided by charcoal and firewood (no electric coils).
7. Two doors. One for the fire pit and one for the oven.
8. Two inch thick double sided walls for kiln insulation.
9. An electronic temperature sensor will determine when the temperature begins to drop and a fan will turn on until a desired temperature is achieved.
10. Wheels so that it can be rolled around
11. Automotive paint on the exterior

Because of this unique design, it has been tested as being able to stay at 250 degrees for 23 hours with just 10 lbs of charcoal. That's more than enough time to cook a brisket or 2.
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HighTide

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If changes in barometric pressure cause your joints to hurt, do pilots and divers have a lot of joint pain?

HighTide · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:37 pm Post subject:

I went out a couple of days ago and purchased two 24' 2"X2"X1/8" square tubing for the frame. I will be using the Diablo Freud ferrous cutting blade for cutting the steel. Here's a guy at the steel supply place bringing down the square tubing, which he will cut roughly in half so that I can carry it in my truck.

Here's a jig I made for cutting the square tubing at 90 degrees using the Freud blade on my circular saw.

Here's the same jig for cutting at 45 degrees.

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HighTide

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If changes in barometric pressure cause your joints to hurt, do pilots and divers have a lot of joint pain?

HighTide · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:39 pm Post subject:

OK, so here's the first side I tacked together. It is about 37"X28". I used plywood spacers to ensure that when I build the other side, it will be fairly close to the first one.

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HighTide

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If changes in barometric pressure cause your joints to hurt, do pilots and divers have a lot of joint pain?

parrot · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 2:31 pm Post subject:

Can't wait to see the finished product!! Once you are done are you going to invite everyone on the forum to a BBQ? LOL. Very Happy

HighTide · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 3:23 pm Post subject:

I'll be posting some more pictures tomorrow.

Parrot: You will be invited to the first cook off because you were the 1st person to respond to my topic.

One thing I didn't mention about this pit is that because it's so well insulated, that it can keep a temperature of 250 degrees for 23 hours on 10 lbs. of charcoal.

I just noticed that all the items in my criteria didn't print. I'll fix that shortly.
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HighTide

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If changes in barometric pressure cause your joints to hurt, do pilots and divers have a lot of joint pain?

magadorm · Horse Mullet Joined: 25 Jul 2012 Posts: 131

That thing sounds like it is going to be sweet. Keep posting, I wanna see what this thing looks like when it is done.

txluke · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 6:57 pm Post subject:

What temp control unit are you going to use?
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Give a Man a Fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a Man to Fish and he will sit in a boat And drink Beer all day. Fish 24:7

HighTide · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:16 pm Post subject:

TX Luke: I found this one on eBay for $42. It includes the temperature sensor and an SSR. The SSR is like an electronic relay. It can switch up to 25 amps, if I'm not mistaken. That's more than what I will need to switch a circulation fan on. I purchased 2 of them in case I want to add something else.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-PID-F-C-SSR-Thermostat-Temperature-Controller-PT100-Thermocouple-Sensor-/280879156946?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4165b3ced2
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HighTide

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If changes in barometric pressure cause your joints to hurt, do pilots and divers have a lot of joint pain?

HighTide · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:38 pm Post subject:

Well, I cut all of the 2"X2" pieces that I will need for the frame. I joined the 2 sides together and to my horror, the whole thing rocked about 1/2" on one corner due to warping even though I took extreme caution to tack weld and hold pieces down with clamps. I was using 3/32" 6013 rods at about 70 amps.

I used the Freud Diablo blade to cut most of the cross members and left it hanging by a thread. I made darned sure that the 2 sides sat flat on a surface and started tacking again. This time it all worked out.

Here's one of the tacked joints and one that I grinded down.

Here's another one of my weld joints. By the way, I'm using a Lincoln AC (crackerbox) stick welder.

The lower part you see is where the fire box will be located.

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HighTide

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If changes in barometric pressure cause your joints to hurt, do pilots and divers have a lot of joint pain?

txluke · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:08 pm Post subject:

Looks good. I have been eying the pitmaker safe. You might just get me to build my own.
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Give a Man a Fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a Man to Fish and he will sit in a boat And drink Beer all day. Fish 24:7

txluke · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 4:18 pm Post subject:

Are you going to go with inset doors like the pitmaker?
_________________
Give a Man a Fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a Man to Fish and he will sit in a boat And drink Beer all day. Fish 24:7

HighTide · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 4:32 pm Post subject:

txluke: No the door will be on the outside. I found that the inset door steals too much cooking space. I'll be sending you a drawing shortly.
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HighTide

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If changes in barometric pressure cause your joints to hurt, do pilots and divers have a lot of joint pain?

txluke · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 5:36 pm Post subject:

One more question. Are you going to add an ash pan that slides out separately from the firebox?
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Give a Man a Fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a Man to Fish and he will sit in a boat And drink Beer all day. Fish 24:7

HighTide · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 7:15 pm Post subject:

I'll probably use a cookie sheet as an ash pan, but I'll make a box and cover the sides and bottom with expanded metal. The charcoal box will have some feet to separate it from the cookie sheet.
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HighTide

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If changes in barometric pressure cause your joints to hurt, do pilots and divers have a lot of joint pain?

txluke · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 9:11 pm Post subject: