New smoker build, need advice/guidance.

Fodder03 · Joined: 27 Jun 2011 Posts: 1

Hello Smoke ring! Very Happy

My name is Adam and im from Canada.

This summer i have decided i would like to build a smoker. I have limited to no experience with building smokers/bbqs.

So alas i turn to you, the experts Very Happy

I have purchased 3x45 gallon steel drums with the intention to turn them into a smoker Very Happy

My plan is to make an offset reverse flow style. The first drum would be vertical with a horizontal drum on top (vertical would be cut to cradle the horizontal) and the 3rd barrel would be cut into 1/3 to act as the fire box.

However after doing some further probing on these forums i have come across the "Pit Building Calculator" ... which has thrown me a huge curve ball.

The basic idea that i got from it was, fire box should be 1/3 the size of the cook chamber.

Is there any other hard-fast rules that i should know about?
Has anyone else attempted a build like this?
Any advice from the experts that will make this process a little less confusing?

As soon as i can get a sketch done on google sketchup i will post it.

I am open to all ideas and questions.
Thanks in advance,
Adam

Wreckless · Posted: Mon Jul 11 11 10:45 am Post subject:

Fodder03...Welcome to the Ring. Don't let the pit calculator throw you a curve. It works very well for up front design on your cooker. The first thought I had was that the drums / barrels are going to be quite a bit thin, if typical, for this type of cooker. They do not retain the heat needed to traverse the distance in an offset. They may work but possibly not to your liking.Their are other explanations that will be forthecoming. It will also be quite a lot of work involved with doors, dampers, etc and the thin material could well send you over the edge. When you sketch up your design and incorporate the pit calculator info, things will get less confusing, a picture is worth a thousand words logic.
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Jarhead · Posted: Mon Jul 11 11 12:38 pm Post subject:

Welcome aboard Adam
I built a Double Barrel Smoker out of 2 - 55 gallon drums. It is a PITA for temp control due to the thin metal. It is a fuel hog. I think I have used it 2 times since I built it. I hate it.

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad35/eagles3948/1st%20Smoker%20build/smoker023.jpg

I would say use them to build UDS's. You will not regret that build.
How to build a UDS
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GF · Posted: Mon Jul 11 11 12:47 pm Post subject:

Fodder03, Sounds like an interesting idea. I dont know anything about reverse flow set ups.
I do know the drums may make you nuts working with them. Shocked

I made a grill out of one, I smoked on it for several years by banking the coals on one side, meat on the other. It worked well but uses a ton of lump, esspecially in colder weather.

I went with a UDS and I'm very happy with that.

I'm not trying to talk you out of your idea, just sharing my thoughts and experiences with drums. Good luck with whatever you decide.

SoEzzy · Posted: Mon Jul 11 11 4:23 pm Post subject:

Please read PMPNLT650pxOTLS!
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