First Custom Pit: Roxanne - Finished...For Now.

BigC_BBQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 55

So, I started this February and am making decent progress, so I thought I'd post a few pics. After my initial test burn, I'm going to need to fix a couple things, but I think it will make a good pit. I will probably need a larger firebox at some point since I added the vertical element.

Step one was to cut open our tank. I'm still not 100% sure on the size of the tank, but I'm guessing it's 100 gal. The tank had been out of service for 10+ years and had holes drilled in it so there has been no product in it. Just to be safe, we filled the tank with water first.

Next, we cut out the lid,

I then made the firebox out of 3/16 plate steel. I would have liked to go thicker, but that was what I had. My next box will be 1/4" though.

The Cut out, trimmed and hung the firebox door 3" up to allow for firebrick in the bottom. Then I married the firebox to the tank,

Next, we got ahold of a 150 gallon fuel tank to add to the rig.

Cut out the door, cleaned up the mounts and married it to the horizontal tank.

Built a frame to support the smoker elemnents.

Attached the foldover smoke stack for low-height travel.

Then we started building the trailer frame attached the axle.

The dry fit was too high, so I modified the smoker frame, dropped it lower and later flipped the springs to add ground clearance.

Cutting and forming the air intake

Mounted counter weight, made the handle and placed the first them for the top rack.

Build and mounted the stack baffle.

Mounted the vertical chamber door, built the latching system for it, built and installed the first cooking grate.

I have more to add to the trailer and a lot more work building cooking surfaces ahead of me, but for a month of working after hours, it's not bad. I have to give mad props to my job for allowing me to use their shop, equipment and scrap steel.

Any input would be appreciated. I have not taken any pics of my transistion between tanks yet, but I'll get that.

SWP5767 · Posted: Wed Mar 21 12 7:29 pm Post subject:

Nice work!!
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**Steve**
Brinkman upright
Trashcan smoker
Char-Broil Gasser (yea I know)

VictoryRay · Posted: Thu Mar 22 12 1:48 pm Post subject:

look'n good!
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Ray

Cooker Fiend

BigC_BBQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 55

Finally got to work some more on the smoker. Thought I'd post a few more pics.

We welded the tracks for the main chamber cooking grate,

Then added grates beyond the removable grate to make a complete cooking surface,

The grate slid out

Then we built a custom lever to adjust the intake on the fire box.

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Chris
C & A Gametime Grillers
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Char Griller Duo
Custom Built Pit: Roxanne
UDS: Jillian

KennyB07 · Posted: Thu Mar 29 12 7:20 pm Post subject:

Nice work!
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Kenny B
250 Gallon Oil Drum Cooker
Rotisserie Smoker

k.a.m. · Posted: Sat Mar 31 12 2:23 am Post subject:

Chris, your cooker is looking fantastic. Very Happy

The firebox seems a bit small but I think it will work once you learn her sweet spots. I look forward to seeing some more pics and updates. Very Happy

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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Reverse Flow
Hybrid Cooker

BigC_BBQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 55

Thanks for the feedback k.a.m. The more I look at it, the more I agree. I laid the firebox out for a single chamber, then decided to add the vertical. I figure I'll use it for a while and then see how it goes. I can always hack into it and build a bigger box. I'm hoping to do my first burn this week after my therms get in.
_________________
Chris
C & A Gametime Grillers
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Char Griller Duo
Custom Built Pit: Roxanne
UDS: Jillian

Wreckless · Posted: Tue Apr 03 12 10:29 am Post subject:

BigC_BBQ...Nice build! Very Happy

The FB does look a bit small but you should be fine with a little bit of tending. I just finished some mods on a very similar cooker in size and shape (FB and cook chamber) sans the vertical. The mods were to bring it up to the point where yours already is. I wanted to check that it would temp up enough and I was able to run it up to 300F continually adding a small split about every 30 min. so your vertical should work fine as well, if mine was any indication. A small hot fire was key on mine, keeping it tended. Over loading killed it. The cook chamber size is sweet in it's proportions, giving you lots of room for tuning plates if you go that route. Good luck on the rest of the build, I look forward to seeing the finish out.
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BigC_BBQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 55

Wreckless, thanks for the words of encouragement. I hear lots of talk about tuning plates. Can someone fill me in on their purpose and how to use them? is it just for reverse flow?
_________________
Chris
C & A Gametime Grillers
------------------------------
Char Griller Duo
Custom Built Pit: Roxanne
UDS: Jillian

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Wed Apr 04 12 10:50 pm Post subject:

That thing is a beast! Looks awesome, very nice build.

Tuning plates are just that...plates to tune your heat. I have them on my X2 builds and have them adjusted where the heat is dispersed evenly across the entire cooker. I have 5 plates on my cooker and have the first 2 on the firebox side tight together, then a 1/4" or so between #2 and #3, and so on with 4 # 5. Its just an easy way to control hot spots and help keep even temps. Personally, I dont think I would build another cooker without them.
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Trailers By Troy

X2 Finished Build
Disco Time

Wreckless · Posted: Thu Apr 05 12 2:36 am Post subject:

BigC_BBQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 55

I'm looking to do a couple test burns in the next few days. I have a couple questions though. I'm experiencing some leakage around the doors as I anticipated. Does anybody seal their doors with stove gasket or rope? Also, I've laid out my firebox for a layer of fire brick beneath the flame. Is this a common practice, and does it make a big difference for those who use it? It seems like a logical concept, but I figured I'd ask the pros. Smile

_________________
Chris
C & A Gametime Grillers
------------------------------
Char Griller Duo
Custom Built Pit: Roxanne
UDS: Jillian

BigC_BBQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 55

So, We made some progress on the smoker build... and then not so much lol.
We mounted a temporary handle on the door,a as well as the therms. Also protected the therms with shields after the stack fell and shattered the first one

And the therms on the Vertical Door.

Next, we mounted the frame for the the prep shelf in front of the horizontal box and mounted a toolbox on the trailer. These pics don't show, but we aldo covered the remained of the trailer bed with braces and expanded metal for hauling and began working on the wood storage box. On the left of the vertical chamber, we mounted a support rest for the stack so it cannot fall down on the open lid. We'll work on a latch for the stack soon.

I left for a week-long cruise with the family in the Carribean and Andy, my partner in this smoker was going to clean up welds and get an estimate for blasting as well as, ironically, finish mounting saftey chains and start on trailer lights. This is the image I received on my phone when I debarked the boat.

The trailer came loose and sheered off a power pole. Good thing we built it like a tank!

So, we're set back a little, but the build goes on!
_________________
Chris
C & A Gametime Grillers
------------------------------
Char Griller Duo
Custom Built Pit: Roxanne
UDS: Jillian

erniesshop · Posted: Wed Apr 25 12 10:39 pm Post subject:

Nice Build !
I'll stick around to watch your first cook !
Here is a link for gasket material.......
I have it on ALL my doors...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#high-temperature-seals/=h9j524

k.a.m. · Posted: Thu Apr 26 12 12:52 am Post subject:

Chris, I think you can pull those dents out of that tool box and hey at least you know your welds were solid. Wink

Seriously though I am glad it was no worse than it is someone could have been hurt if not dead.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Reverse Flow
Hybrid Cooker

Wreckless · Posted: Thu Apr 26 12 10:40 am Post subject:

There is non destructive and destructive testing for welds. I would go with the non destructive for any future testing. Shocked

Your project is looking really...(correction) Your project WAS looking really... ouch Wink

Glad to hear no injuries, so...no harm, no foul, mostly. Back after it...double check that coupler ball size, good luck Very Happy

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TheNorwegian · Joined: 04 Apr 2012 Posts: 18 Location: Western Washington

seariously lucky no one got hurt. as being the builders you and your buddy would be soley liable for any civil or criminal damages. As it stands you've got a serious repair to make.
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There are no problems, there are only solutions. It's our job to figure out the right one.

BigC_BBQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 55

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I'm well aware of how lucky we are nobody was hurt and even more aware of the liabilities that can and a few that we will still incur due to this. It's not different than improperly hooking up ANY trailer. Once it leaves contact with the towing vehicle, it is a projectile. As owner/builder and driver, we would be solely responsible for any damages, injuries. this is not news. I'm well aware of the severity of the situation.
_________________
Chris
C & A Gametime Grillers
------------------------------
Char Griller Duo
Custom Built Pit: Roxanne
UDS: Jillian

CockedandLocked1911 · Newbie Joined: 14 Aug 2010 Posts: 50

Another reason I wont use the cheap attwood type hitches and only use bulldog couplers

BigC_BBQ · Newbie Joined: 27 Feb 2012 Posts: 55

With wheat harvest over for the year, we're back to working on the smoker project. With my recent promotion, we've got a better shop to work in, but the welder choice isn't as nice as the previous, so I'm learning to stick weld.

We cut the bent up mashed in toolbox and frame pieces off.

Prepared and repaired the frame

I actually got Andy to help me, lol

The frame is about 1/4" out of square, but given the damage that could have happened, I can accept that.

We extended the frame about 10" forward to help get the tongue weight right. We also added agle supports foward on the tongue to prepare for mounting the Propane tank and other accessories.

Now we're working on the charcoal grill for the other side of the trailer. We've got to be able to grill up some brats and burgers while dinner is smoking Smile

We had to fill in a few rust spots, but for a free 100lbs propane tank, I'd say it will work just grand!

Our wives signed us up for an ametuer BBQ challenge at our town festival on July 14, so we've got to get hopping. We're hoping to be finished short of paint by Sunday. It will take a lot of work but I think we can do it. Then it's burn, burn, burn and test, test, test!
_________________
Chris
C & A Gametime Grillers
------------------------------
Char Griller Duo
Custom Built Pit: Roxanne
UDS: Jillian