Building my 2nd smoker out of 60 gallon compressor

[Tjam9]

Got the cooking grate done today and it looks like it will fit a good amount of meat. At least enough for my parties.

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[Big T]

Nice

[McBroom]

What’s better for heat retention lava rock or fire brick


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

[Tjam9]

What’s better for heat retention lava rock or fire brick


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.

I don’t know the answer. I used firebricks on my last build to help take up space in too big of fb. I can tell you that firebricks are a lot easier to clean the coal ash from though.

I don’t know if you have a tractor supply store but I had these shipped to the store. Cheapest I found.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/produ ... _vc=-10005

[Dirtytires]

First off, I recommend removing the cryovac before you smoke it. The plastic gives it a pretty fowl taste.

Secondly, we don’t typically have a need for lava rock/firebrick in our pits. What are you hoping to gain from it?

[Tjam9]

First off, I recommend removing the cryovac before you smoke it. The plastic gives it a pretty fowl taste.

Secondly, we don’t typically have a need for lava rock/firebrick in our pits. What are you hoping to gain from it?

Lmao. Yeah that was for sizing purposes only. Definitely plan on defrosting it and removing the plastic before I smoke it. Lol.

On my first smoker I build I added some firebricks in the fb because I had too big of fb (compressor tank I had) and was trying to eat up some space. Been smoking on it for 2 years and it works great. Holds heat, drafts and cooks nicely.

[Chromeski]

It really comes down to having the correct Sizes so that the fire will draft correctly. If the firebox is too large I could see how the bricks would help, but I think I've best bet is top build it the right size from the start and skip the bricks. If you want maximum heat retention then build an insulated firebox. Most agree insulated isn't needed

[Dirtytires]

Yep...build it the proper size and you will have absolutely no need for bricks.

[Tjam9]

My first build I already had the fb attached to the smoker before I learned about a pit calculator so I had to figure a way to make it smaller. If I would have known about the pit calculator beforehand I would have cut it down to size. This being my 2nd build I have used the pit calculator and the fb is the proper size so I will not being adding firebricks. Thanks for the advice.

[Tjam9]

Got

[Tjam9]

Got the 2nd cooking grate done and the drain. Already drilled the holes for it so had to finish it.

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[ajfoxy]

Coming along nicely

[Big T]

[Tjam9]

Thanks.

[Tjam9]

Got the charcoal basket done, door flanges, door hinges, door handles and clamps put on today.

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[Big T]

[Tjam9]

Tried something different and I think it should work ok. Made a little door at the bottom of my fb so when I’m done cooking I can sweep the ash into the hole and into a small bucket/garbage.

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[Dirtytires]

Interesting idea. Probably save a lot of time with that style of firebox.

[Tjam9]

Interesting idea. Probably save a lot of time with that style of firebox.

That’s what I’m hoping.

[Tjam9]

Made and added my burner today to start my charcoal. Works great just as it did on my other build. I also got my first burn today to burn off the inside. Just need to make the handles, shelf and paint and I’m done.

I do have a question about the paint. The compressor tanks I made them out of are painted and the paint held up fine after the burn. Anything wrong with just painting bbq high heat over that instead of sand blasting or grinding to bare metal first?

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[mp4]

I think painting on paint that's tough enough to hold up to a burn is perfect.

[Tjam9]

I think painting on paint that's tough enough to hold up to a burn is perfect.

Ok thank you. That will save me time and money. Both of which I need after this build. Lol.

[Tjam9]

Got the handle and one collapsible shelf built today. And the charcoal ash door I made works great. I was able to sweep the ash right out the hole saving a lot of clean up time. It does leak a little bit of smoke so I am going to add a gasket.

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[Big T]

Nice work

[McBroom]

Ash clean up on my build I think I’ll just use the shop vac.
I believe having some ash in it will help with heat retention.
I use wood heat in my house and only clean the ash out when needed.


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Off Road.