ATTN: BBQ Guru's... Need Help Building Pit!

[whitetailslayer]

Awesome! I got your email, thanks!!! I'll be picking your brain about this as I go.
Question: Are your plates also canted so that any grease that falls will channel to the center to then run down the angle iron?

[hellbndr23]

I didnt make mine reverse flow. I didnt want to give up any rack space to put the exhaust stack inside.

But yes I would cant the plates to make it easier to clean.

[one66stang]

http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/

[savin yours]

My buddy is building this one. I'm in love!!! (with the pit, not him!)

[jmangrem]

Now that's a hell of a cooker.

[whitetailslayer]

Now that's a hell of a cooker.

Yeah, what he said! Keep the pics coming guys! I'm getting a lot of ideas!

[whitetailslayer]

With this casing being 1/2" thick, I would like to counterweight it. Is there any rule of thumb on the placement/angle/weight that I'll need to follow?

[txfireguy2003]

On your counterweight, my thought has always been to use an angle and attachment location such that the weight is in front of the hinge when the door is closed, but behind the hinge with a very slight movement of the door. Seems to me that this positioning holds the lid shut (theoretically a better seal) and as soon as you pull the lid up a tad, one the center of gravity is behind the hinge, it should help you lift the lid. If you use too much weight, it might pull the lid out of your hands even. I'm still in the trial and error phase on counterweights.

[ace340cs]

this is what i did

4'x12' trailer out of 3x5x1/4 angle (just because i hand it on hand no $$$)
tong is 3" c-channel

fish cookers r great to have but i could get by with just 1 and just 1 propane tank

good luck and have fun

nice rig!!!

[hellbndr23]

I absolutely hate the look of counter weights. I know they are needed but they just screw up the lines of a nice pit to me.

One thought is to use a cable, pulley, and old school window weights in a pipe behind the pit.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/86658/tour-of-the-rig

[hellbndr23]

OH I found the build I was looking for before. This guy does the reverse flow with canted plates into a grease rail. I also like his baffle between the pit and firebox.

http://www.bbq-4-u.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20344

[whitetailslayer]

Very informative! Thanks! Keep'em coming!