my first offset build

[JLCBBQ]

I've got a few pictures, so I thought I'd share my build with you guys. My work is kinda ugly, don't be too harsh on me, I'm a function over fashion kinda guy. Anyway, I've gotten a lot of good info from this site, so hopefully this will help somebody out there.

Here's what I started with:

[JLCBBQ]

Used the calculator to figure out my firebox to cooking chamber opening size. Left about a 1" lip at the bottom to keep grease out of the fire.

[JLCBBQ]

Got the firebox welded on to the cooking chamber. Its getting heavy.

[JLCBBQ]

Put some simple legs on it and extended my back porch so it has a place to live.

[JLCBBQ]

Built my grates out of 1/2" round stock. Only took a couple hours and was pretty cheap. I like the look of this over expanded metal and figure it'll be easier to clean. Did four sections to make them easier to get in and out. What do y'all think of them?

[JLCBBQ]

Got the door cut, hinged and flanged. It sprung on me a little bit, but I don't think its enough to worry about. Flanged it with 1 1/4"x1/8" flat bar and made the hinges out of 1/2" schedule 80 pipe with 1/2" round bar as the pin.

[JLCBBQ]

My door ended up weighing about 80lbs so I made this counter weight. I decided to go with a pulley instead of the traditional way and it works great. I am using a piece of 6" pipe filled with scrap steel and sand. This isn't the finished product, still need to cap the pipe and make it a little prettier, its still somewhat in the test phase here. Also got a handle put on it...

[JLCBBQ]

Well, this is where I'm at currently. What do y'all think of it? I'm struggling with whether or not I'm gonna put tuning plates in it or not. any input on that or anything else would be appreciated.

[Smokin Mike]

Nice work JLCBBQ. I like the cooking grates. I imagine they are pretty "stout".

You know a man is serious about his barbeque when he pours concrete to accommodate his cooker.
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My current cookers: 80 gallon vertical tank
The Ultimate New Braunfels Makeover

[JLCBBQ]

Thanks man, I like how its all coming together so far. I'm hoping to get some more work done on it in the next couple days. The concrete wasn't too bad, luckily I have friends that work for beer.

[JLCBBQ]

So what do you guys think, does a pit this size absolutely NEED tuning plates? Sure even temps are always good, but I can also see the benefit of having a slightly hotter side for chicken or something. I'm thinking about just putting a piece of 3/8" plate about 8" long angled slightly down at the top of the firebox opening for a heat deflector and maybe just running some rails out of angle from the end of that to rest tuning plates on later if it turns out I need them. What do you guys think?

[necron 99]

IMO a shield from the radiant heat in the firebox at minimum will be desirable.

Where are you planning to place your exhaust?

If at or near grate level then you may not want tuning plates or a diffuser if you want a relatively high temperature gradient from one side of the pit to the other.

if at or near the top of the cooking chamber you may want tuning plates or a diffuser to minimize the hot gases going right up toward the top of the cooking chamber and out the exhaust with minimal contact with the food.

I have both a diffuser and an internal exhaust extension to grate level in my small patio offset. It came with an absolutely minimal shield from the firebox radiant heat. I like the way it cooks now.
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Let's hope SoEzzy can ditch his heavy hand on photos in 2016!

[JLCBBQ]

The exhaust stack is going to be at grate height and made from 4" schedule 40 pipe 42" long.

[Maniac]

[JLCBBQ]

Thanks Maniac, that was my intention, don't enjoy redoing things. I checked out your reverse flow build, that thing is awesome man, nice work

[k.a.m.]

Very nice work on your cooker JLCBBQ I like it.
In my opinion any cooker length can benefit from tuning plates if it is set up properly.
I run plates in my 24" x 36" back yard cooker as well as my comp cooker.
It really isn't about even temps with plates but more about consistent temps, it is about tuning the cooker to where I can run 250° on one side and 325° on the other. Also being able to manipulate my temps on the fly while cooking.
I look forward to seeing some more pics and updates.
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[JLCBBQ]

Thanks k.a.m, I'm thinking I'll set it up for tuning plates. I have some scrap 3/8" plate that will get me most of my plates. Didn't have time to work on the pit today, decided to take the dogs down to the lake instead.

I'm gonna try and get some work done tomorrow on it, I want to get some opinions before I do anything so I took some pictures.

Here is a cardboard template of the heat deflector plate I have planned. It will be 3/8" plate angled slightly down. Anybody see any potential problems with it? Should I weld it in solid or make it removable? I plan to run the rails for the tuning plates starting at the low end of this plate.


Here is a picture of the opening without the plate template for reference:

This is where my exhaust will go in relation with the grates. Should work OK right? It will be 4" sch40 pipe 42" long

Any opinions will be appreciated, thanks

[k.a.m.]

JLCBBQ, what will the distance be between your tuning plates and your lowest cooking grate?
While I prefer my exhausts up high your placement just above the grate will work just fine.
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[JLCBBQ]

This setup will put the tuning plates around 4" from the cooking grate.

[auto5man]

JLC, very nice project. I really like the look of the grates. On your heat shield plate personally I would make it permanent, but you might just tack it in and test for performance first. My vote is yes on tuning plates. It's a trial and error process
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New Braunfels el Cheapo offset
Born in the Que-S-A Comp Team
36in x 120in Homebuilt
DPP Clone Build in progress: http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=65139&start=0