Firebox question

[Tony_Wornick]

I'm working with a welder on a smoker build and I have a question about fireboxes (I'm a ceramic cooker, this is my first pit - so be gentle with me).
I noticed most fireboxes are square, but my welder was gonna do a round one, so thought I would check here and see what is preferred (looks like square)
and what the difference is.

[DATsBBQ]

I'm working with a welder on a smoker build and I have a question about fireboxes (I'm a ceramic cooker, this is my first pit - so be gentle with me).
I noticed most fireboxes are square, but my welder was gonna do a round one, so thought I would check here and see what is preferred (looks like square)
and what the difference is.

Why the trip to the Dark Side?

[Tony_Wornick]

I thought it was all the dark side

[BluDawg]

A Square Box has more volume> more volume= more air= cleaner fire + you can do different stuff like put a DO of Beans on it to cook or do a Grill top door. My present pit is round the next one will be square. Hey it aint the welders Pit It's yours he works for you! If you want Square then you Get square, he needs to accommodate or get fired. JM2C!

[Tony_Wornick]

I let him know I want square, it just wasn't sorted out and he was thinking round.

[txsmkmstr]

I like the square firebox - it makes preheating your splits a lot easier. Gas-assist (you are considering that, aren't you?) mounts easier and cleaner. Speaking of cleaner - you need to clean out the ashes more thoroughly with a square box to stay ahead of rust/corrosion issues.

Both work and if you settle on square then make it insulated too. Good luck with the build.

[k.a.m.]

While I prefer a square firebox round works just as well in my opinion. A square firebox allows you to manipulate the size to fit your needs such as ground clearances. A round firebox for the most part is more cost effective material wise. Personally I am not a big fan of insulated fireboxes especially in our area, now if your gonna insulate the whole cooker to stop all the heat loss from the cooking chamber that is a different story.