Smoker design....

[Chef]

I would like to design a huge smoker that will be permanently positioned on my shop porch. I have no issues with the majority of the fab work but would like some help with the design portion. You scientists know more about air flow and smoke volume than I do.

The space I have allocated is 9'width x6'depth. I was thinking about a 6'x3' rectangle. Fire box on the back lower portion with an additional trap door on the front for access (have a cool old decorative door for this from the 1800's ). I would like to have two cooking surfaces... upper for ribs and sausage and lower for whole pigs briskets...... I would like to vent the smoke above the roof line if possible (scientists).

I will post some rough sketches later this morning.

I plan on building this over a long period of time because im sure it will cost 2-3k by the time its all finished. If anyone could help with technical (formal) drawings that would be great!!!

[Ruark]

A couple of things I want on a sidebox type smoker:

1. Heat baffles in front of the opening between the firebox and the main chamber. This blocks radiant heat from the firebox, which can burn the meat on that end of the grill.

2. The opening to the chimney should be on the end, level with the grill, NOT up on top of the smoker.

You wonder if some of these smoker companies have ever smoked a piece of meat before.

[Chef]

My current cooker has adjustable plates to direct/deflect the heat. I really like this option and plan to use a similar format because on some occasions I need the direct heat.

[Chef]

Starting point.... i plan on framing it out of 2" angle then just wrap it with plate.

[quackerback]

This is a good website. http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html

[Chef]

Met with our CAD designer this morning. Should have some rough drawings later this week.

Any must add tips or ideas for a pulley system to open the doors would be appreciated.

[LROSE]

Chef - Do you remember Gene's big smoker? I think he had a counterweight on a drop pulley off the back of the smoker directly opposite the door...
simple and effective.

[Smart]

Met with our CAD designer this morning. Should have some rough drawings later this week.

Any must add tips or ideas for a pulley system to open the doors would be appreciated.

No reason for a pulley.....to many moving parts....just counterweight it.

[Ironman]

Is there a formula for door to counter weight, or is it a trial and error thing?

[Chef]

Is there a formula for door to counter weight, or is it a trial and error thing?

Same thing I was thinking. 3/8 plate is 15.32# per sq ft.... so each door will be roughly 45#

[Chef]

Chef - Do you remember Gene's big smoker? I think he had a counterweight on a drop pulley off the back of the smoker directly opposite the door...
simple and effective.

Yep.... remember who welded/built that thing....

Rainy days on the patio!!!

[Smart]

Is there a formula for door to counter weight, or is it a trial and error thing?

http://www.smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1170

[LROSE]

Yep.... remember who welded/built that thing....

Rainy days on the patio!!!

HA HA HA...
It was a good one !!!!

[Palmetto]

Here is a cantilever on a pit that I just built. It was all trail & error, but based on pictures I had seen on the google machine. I eyeballed it basically...then had to move it 3 times to get it perfect. The 4" pipe on top is 3/8" wall, and has a piece of 3/8" wall 3" inside of it.

The pit is 24" 3/8" wall pipe, with a 4' cook chamber. Door was downright heavy........took 2 hands to open it......now with the counterwieght, his wife can open it easily with one hand.