My Smoker Build

[Todd_ID]

I decided I needed a smoker, so I got busy the last couple days and got it done.

Material List:
2 4x8 sheets 1/2" CDX plywood
6 10' 1x4 pine
3 tubes Heavy Duty Liquid Nails
small box of 1" screws
4" worth of gravel for the base
20 4x4x16 split face blocks
4 Inside L angle brackets
8 TapCon Screws
2 burner propane camp stove ($25 from WalMart)
8' Propane hose and adaptor for larger tank
Bit of chicken wire and rocks from field
4x10 vent cover
Meat thermometer
Hinges and Gate Latches
1/2 gal paint

I dug a relatively level spot and compacted the gravel for the base of the blocks:



I built the blocks using Liquid nails to hold them together:



I cut the plywood based on the size of the blocks.  My inside dimensions finished ended up being able to hold a 17.5" x 27.5" oven rack.  I used the Liquid Nails and screws on everything.  The 1x4's were put where I needed strength on the outside.



Two left over strips from the plywood cutting provided the racks with holes being marked and drilled with a 1" spade bit.



One thing not pictured here is a 4x10 vent that is cut into the top of the back to let heat or smoke out.  A bit of paint on the outside made it not so much of an eyesore in the field.  I drilled a tiny hole in the upper part of the door and glued in the meat thermometer. 



The grill, chicken wire and rocks were added to the inside, and the hose runs out the 1 block I left out.  This missing block provides the air inlet for combustion and can be controlled by how much of the hole you cover; every seam was sealed with liquid nails, and the door fits very tight for now.



The first test run I found that 1 burner at about 1/2 output kept a 150 degree inside temperature.  I could throttle it down to 1/4 and it stayed about 110 degrees.  It's hot here during my testing, but I know there's enough reserve burner capacity to keep whatever temp I want even in the dead of winter.

[THunt]

Wow I'm impressed.  Looks like you did an awesome job.

[JColony]

Nice lookin smoker!!  What purpose do the rocks serve?

[JohnVH]

looks good, and I think your due for a new wheel barrow

[sirfunkeybut]

My guess is heat diffusion?

Nice lookin smoker!!  What purpose do the rocks serve?

[PlateauNDN]

looks good, and I think your due for a new wheel barrow

   That thing looks like it's got plenty of life left in it....I'd be proud to own such a workhorse and would keep taping it up until the tape couldn't hold anymore tape.

If it ain't broke then don't fix it.

[JohnVH]

 

[lokidog]

Looks nice, what about a 45 mph gust of wind?  is the box glued down to the block or is that what the Tapcons were used for? 

Now you need to get out fishing....   

[Echomules]

Great looking smoker, time to blacken the inside!!

[oldcamper]

If it aint broke don't fix it,    Here with the government if it ain't broke fix it until it is. 

[Todd_ID]

Yes, the Tapcons hold the angle brackets down to the base.

I really should be on a Gorilla Tape commercial.  I'm proof that that stuff will stand up to mixing concrete.  That wheelbarrow has only been fixed once 2 years ago, and I use it almost weekly for something.  If I forget to turn it over it will hold water still.

[lokidog]

Yes, the Tapcons hold the angle brackets down to the base.

I really should be on a Gorilla Tape commercial.  I'm proof that that stuff will stand up to mixing concrete.  That wheelbarrow has only been fixed once 2 years ago, and I use it almost weekly for something.  If I forget to turn it over it will hold water still.

Definitely send them some photos of it and it in use wiuth a little story, might be worth a few bucks....

[bearpaw]

Looks great, let us know how it works... 

[Wea300mag]

Very nice Todd, great looking construction.

[92xj]

Could you take the piece of wood out that is making the "floor" and place the "fire box" on the ground inside of the blocks, the rack holding the rocks on the ledge that the wood flood piece is sitting on now and then open up the use of those lower racks if you need?