36" Side fire box backyard build (UPDATED 5/20/16)

[iRIDElow]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum but not new to fabrication and BBQ/smoking meats.

I am about to start the build on my first side fire smoker. It will be a slow process as ill be doing this in my spare time. Im open to any tips, tricks, and advice so please don't hesitate to share them.


Now for the details on the build:
I work at a pipe fabrication shop and we had 2 pieces of 36" pipe that was getting scrapped so I claimed them. It will be 36" OD x .375 wall pipe, 6 ft cooking chamber and 2'-6" fire box.

My plan is to do a double door setup door on the chamber with 2 to 3 slide out racks on each side.

The fire box will also have a slide out rack for cooking directly over the heat when needed. I plan on putting a flat/warming area on the exterior of the hot box also.

I still have many areas that I'm not quite sure what my exact plans are yet (fire box damper, exhaust stack orientation, etc)

Thanks in advance for any help, and remember this will be my first smoker build so if you see anything that looks off please don't hesitate to speak up. I am open to any advise/opinions.

[ChileFarmer]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a great start. CF

[k.a.m.]

Welcome to the forum iRIDElow. I look forward to following your project.
For your calculations you can use the pit calculator.
http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html
For your firebox to cooking chamber opening you can use this tool.
http://planetcalc.com/search/?tag=3128
I see you are using raised hinges. Make sure you place them behind your cut line about 1" or your door strap will hang up.
Also on a 36" diameter chamber you will need to lower your top cut about 6.5" to 7" from 12:00 or your door handles will be hard to reach when open.
If you have any questions feel free to ask here or on the email link on the pit calculator. I will get the question there as well.

[Williep]

Sounds to me that you work at the right place.

[iRIDElow]

Welcome to the forum iRIDElow. I look forward to following your project.
For your calculations you can use the pit calculator.
http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html
For your firebox to cooking chamber opening you can use this tool.
http://planetcalc.com/search/?tag=3128
I see you are using raised hinges. Make sure you place them behind your cut line about 1" or your door strap will hang up.
Also on a 36" diameter chamber you will need to lower your top cut about 6.5" to 7" from 12:00 or your door handles will be hard to reach when open.
If you have any questions feel free to ask here or on the email link on the pit calculator. I will get the question there as well.

Thanks bud. I used all of those calculators when I started building this in my head. Only thing I wasn't really sure about which im glad you pointed it out is that I need to drop my cut line from 12:00 (top dead center). I was going to eye it but that will give me a great starting point.

Sounds to me that you work at the right place.

Ya they have been good to me

[jellyworker]

thats a pretty piece of pipe. cant wait to see when its all done.

[bobann34@msn.com]

Ok I'm in


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[bobann34@msn.com]

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[bobann34@msn.com]

125 lb USDA CORN fad finger licking


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[k.a.m.]

125 lb USDA CORN fad finger licking


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^^^^^^^^^^
??????????????

[iRIDElow]

I was wondering the same thing lol

[iRIDElow]

well things have been rather quiet at the house. We have been travelling a lot, wife is about to have a baby, and I just took a promotion at work. I haven't forgot about this thing im still gathering a few parts, and kicking some ideas around in my head. Just last week we have started moving on this thing again.

I did pick up some threadolets from work for my gauges.


We started laying out the doors (didn't get a picture of the finished layout....Ill get one before we cut the doors out)


I got a torch and a plasma back to the house so we should start making progress pretty quickly


Eventually I plan on putting this pit on a trailer but for now I am just going to make some legs so I can get it stable, off jack stands, and remove the hoist for safety and make the pit useable. The trailer will come later once I am ready for that build. I have been messing around in AutoCAD with the legs and hopefully this week ill have something productive that will work for the pit.

[iRIDElow]

Alright here's a picture of the doors layed out.


I got my drain valve also


I also got an elbow, and a cap for my exhaust stack

[iRIDElow]

Well over the weekend we got the doors all situated. still have to clean up the jams, and finish the door straps but the hard part is done. Doors didn't seem to spring on us at all. I didn't get a picture of it but the firebox is cut and ready also.

[iRIDElow]

man this place is dead lol