Firebox

[Sapo1251]

So gonna start my trailer build soon. Since spending money on it. Should firebox be insulated or non insulated and what are pros and cons on it. it's a 8ft offset smoker with a 30x30x30 firebox with tuning plates being added.

[k.a.m.]

Personally I have never seen the need for an insulated firebox in our area. Some care for it and that is great i just do not feel the extra cost is warranted. I did have an insulated blanket built for the top of my new cookers firebox but that was strictly a safety thing for me and others.

[Finatic]

I do not have an insulated firebox but I've cooked with a friend who has one. I think the insulated boxes will use less wood which means less work (he can get away with a just a few sticks once his fire is going on a brisket cook). Also if it is insulated you can have a bigger paint color selection as you typically do not need high temp paint. I also feel they are not necessary and not worth the extra work/cost involved. I'll be replacing my firebox in the near future and it will not be insulated. Plus when it's cold it's nice to have a warm firebox to stand next to.

[CaptJack]

after watching Aaron Franklin build his pits on his show
he has insulated every pit since he built #2 for his restaurant
he builds his pits out of 1000 gallon propane tanks
and cuts down a 500 gallon tank for the firebox
he welds in a smaller diameter pipe into the firebox and welds a flat plate with the door on the end
he just has an air space between the outer and inner pipe sections
he swears by the two walled firebox
he also builds his fire with no rack. he prefers the round bottom of the firebox for his fire

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... oker+build

[Finatic]

after watching Aaron Franklin build his pits on his show
he has insulated every pit since he built #2 for his restaurant
he builds his pits out of 1000 gallon propane tanks
and cuts down a 500 gallon tank for the firebox
he welds in a smaller diameter pipe into the firebox and welds a flat plate with the door on the end
he just has an air space between the outer and inner pipe sections
he swears by the two walled firebox
he also builds his fire with no rack. he prefers the round bottom of the firebox for his fire

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... oker+build

Maybe that's the way to go. I have seen that video. I too build my fires right on the bottom of my round firebox. I haven't used a grate in 10 years. And the part my firebox that is getting weak is the top not the bottom.

[k.a.m.]

after watching Aaron Franklin build his pits on his show
he has insulated every pit since he built #2 for his restaurant
he builds his pits out of 1000 gallon propane tanks
and cuts down a 500 gallon tank for the firebox
he welds in a smaller diameter pipe into the firebox and welds a flat plate with the door on the end
he just has an air space between the outer and inner pipe sections
he swears by the two walled firebox
he also builds his fire with no rack. he prefers the round bottom of the firebox for his fire

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... oker+build

Maybe that's the way to go. I have seen that video. I too build my fires right on the bottom of my round firebox. I haven't used a grate in 10 years. And the part my firebox that is getting weak is the top not the bottom.

The double wall with no insulation may let Franklin feel warm and cozy at night thinking he has done something but it is a poor substitute for insulation if you're going that route. Once the two stabilize the heat leaving is just as bad as if you had a single wall. I have a sacrificial 3/8" sacrificial plate mounted 1" off the top of my firebox on Bahama Mama it takes the brunt of the heat and saves my 1/4" top.

100_3349.JPG (66.29 KiB) Viewed 3818 times

[iRIDElow]

I'm curious why would you not use a grate in the bottom of your firebox?

[Finatic]

I'm curious why would you not use a grate in the bottom of your firebox?

For me a grate only helped with airflow under the fire until coals and ashes filled that air gap which usually was only an hour or so. Since I have a round firebox I get plenty of air under the fire to get it started by placing my splits in a diagonal position. Having more air volume above my fire (between the fire and the top of my firebox) is more important to me than having an air gap below my fire. Also having a grate moves the fire closer to the top of the firebox which is where the hottest temperatures are which will result in a more rapid deterioration of the top of the firebox.

[k.a.m.]

I shake my basket with my poker to clear the ash build up it works pretty good doing that.

[Finatic]

I should add my theory probably only works on a round firebox. I don't know about having a firebox with a flat bottom.

[dwilliams35]

The double wall with no insulation may let Franklin feel warm and cozy at night thinking he has done something but it is a poor substitute for insulation if you're going that route. Once the two stabilize the heat leaving is just as bad as if you had a single wall. I have a sacrificial 3/8" sacrificial plate mounted 1" off the top of my firebox on Bahama Mama it takes the brunt of the heat and saves my 1/4" top.

100_3349.JPG

I guess in theory it could stabilize the temp on the inner wall a bit if you're outside in the winter, or getting rained on, or whatever.. You don't get some 2" per minute downpour taking down the temp of the firebox by fifty degrees.