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12 hours ago, old'un said:

Did you use an attachment tool to cut the circle? If not you did well to cut that circle free hand.

Try some oven/drain cleaner or caustic soda to get he grease off the inside of the barrel, if that fails, burn it off.

looking good. :good:

Thanks Dave, I did it freehand - it was actually much easier than I thought …… that doesn’t usually happen!!  I’ve another couple of part circles to cut for other end caps so I’m quite relieved, I was wondering if I might need a plasma cutter.   Actually, I think I may need one anyway 😂😂

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Done a little bit on the firebox tonight .  The firebox was a cylindrical section of the tank which needs a cap on on end and a cap with a door on the other.  The hole you can see is the 'throat' where the heat and smoke from the firebox makes it way in to the cooking chamber.  This was my very first attempt at welding a cap - be gentle with me!!

The door end need some air vents at low level (fire management) and high level (temp/airflow control)- not the prettiest of cuts, but I'm happy enough - I'm just not looking forward to working out how to install adjustable air vent covers yet.

I also cut the firebox door and started the door hinges - I cant wait to get this thing finished!!

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Edited by Jonty
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9 hours ago, Jonty said:

Done a little bit on the firebox tonight .  The firebox was a cylindrical section of the tank which needs a cap on on end and a cap with a door on the other.  The hole you can see is the 'throat' where the heat and smoke from the firebox makes it way in to the cooking chamber.  This was my very first attempt at welding a cap - be gentle with me!!

The door end need some air vents at low level (fire management) and high level (temp/airflow control)- not the prettiest of cuts, but I'm happy enough - I'm just not looking forward to working out how to install adjustable air vent covers yet.

I also cut the firebox door and started the door hinges - I cant wait to get this thing finished!!

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Hello, Still looking good so far 👍

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  • 2 weeks later...

Done a bit of work to the door to the fire box today. Some designs just have a notched door latch so you can leave the door ajar to control airflow to the fire (heat control). However the purist way is to have low adjustable vents to control the fire and some high vents to allow more air into the smoker to cool things down.  I thought for my first try I’d do things by the book - it’s been a right faff!! I’ve just tacked it all together to see how it looks and what it weights … I reckon if I do this again I’ll do the notched door latch 😂

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Yes, but it do look good and techy.

One problem that I might forsee is that, as sheet steel distorts somewhat when hot, the slidey bits might not slide.

Edited by amateur
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2 hours ago, amateur said:

Yes, but it do look good and techy.

One problem that I might forsee is that, as sheet steel distorts somewhat when hot, the slidey bits might not slide.

Good point, its only 5mm steel so that could happen.  I've seen some where they've put some cross braces on the back of the door - I'll bear that in mind 👍.  The usual plan (so I've read) is to give it a good hot burn to start out to season it and also see what pops and and dings at high temp - I suspect I'll find out then!

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11 minutes ago, Jonty said:

Good point, its only 5mm steel so that WILL happen.  I've seen some where they've put some cross braces on the back of the door - I'll bear that in mind 👍.  The usual plan (so I've read) is to give it a good hot burn to start out to season it and also see what pops and and dings at high temp - I suspect I'll find out then!

Why not whack something up quick and simple, fire it up and prove your design works?

 

Then make a nice version with any necessary revisions or improvements.

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This is my rough and ready version 😀.  I’ve not done much metalworking before, but since getting a basic (very basic) grasp of welding etc, I’m not too concerned about having to go back and redo stuff - it’s easy (albeit not pretty) for me to stick things back together.  And if I’m honest, I am doing this on a bit of a budget so I bought just about enough steel to get the job done …. I am genuinely eyeing up version two though 

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Thanks for all the positive responses chaps 👍.  I got the end cap and the door fixed in place this weekend, and then fitted a couple of internal rails which will support the cooking grate.  The body of the smoker is pretty much done, there is a slight bow in the main cook chamber door which I suspect I’ve caused (and have a plan to resolve) so I need to fix that, and then make a start on the chimney.  The cook chamber size, firebox size, air vents and chimney diameter/length are all key in being able to accurately control temperatures in the smoker so I,ve some calculations to do before I order the chimney tube.  After that, it’s a cooking grate, some door handles etc and hopefully we should be up and running soon

I’m recalling enjoying this build, and have never really picked a welder up before, i know the welds aren’t great but im really pleased with the overall result.  Im actually looking at getting some lessons/training as I’d like to make a few more bbq projects, 

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Started adding a chimney tonight- man I’m so looking forward to getting this fired up.Best practice is to have a ‘collector. For the smoke as it enters the chimney - air dynamics apparently.  Once I weld this element up, I’ve only got grates to make and some fine tuning …. The I get to cook in the little beauty!

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That’s looking really good. Reminds me of Stevenson’s Rocket👍.

You should be proud of that.

I fully understand that you cannot wait to get it fired up.

What paint, if any, are you going to use?

Really enjoyed this thread, many thanks for posting.

OB
 

 

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That's looking brilliant 👏 😀 a bit 'Heath Robinson'-esque [no offence 🙃] but can't wait to see what culinary marvels you cook up in the Food and Drinks section 😀

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35 minutes ago, JKD said:

That's looking brilliant 👏 😀 a bit 'Heath Robinson'-esque [no offence 🙃] but can't wait to see what culinary marvels you cook up in the Food and Drinks section 😀

None taken 😀 - thank you, it pretty much looks as I was expecting- a face only a father could love 😂.  I can’t wait to get cooking on it either !

1 hour ago, Old Boggy said:

That’s looking really good. Reminds me of Stevenson’s Rocket👍.

You should be proud of that.

I fully understand that you cannot wait to get it fired up.

What paint, if any, are you going to use?

Really enjoyed this thread, many thanks for posting.

OB
 

 

Thanks OB, it’s a really fun little project.  I was toying with not painting it, letting the paint melt off and then seasoning it by spraying oil on it whilst hot - but now I’m maybe thinking about using stove paint to provide a little more protection.

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7 hours ago, ditchman said:

put some wheels on it and you will be hounded down by Khan and ULEZ

He he - I think you’re right … I’m planning on it’s emissions not being all that good 😊 

6 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said:

Hello, great post Jonty , it certainly looks the look when it comes to the design and building of a Smoker, look forward to the finish and maybe a video ??, 

Thank you OPP, it’s been great fun to build - I’ll definitely do a video, especially as it will sho how these smokers work 😀

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14 hours ago, ditchman said:

Jonty......on the lid ...have you welded ribs on it to stop potential wharping ?

I haven’t - but I have thought about it.  You often get warping when you cut the lid out as it springs slightly, I was lucky but then did warp it accidentally by putting too much tension on the salt bar I used as a door seal.  Fortunately a ratchet strap and some swearing sorted that out.  I’ll be doing a test burn soon and will be looking/listenimgnout for any movement etc.  Ideally, the cook chamber will be at around 110c to 150c max(occasionally) during use so it’s not going to be screamingly hot.

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