"Q" Train

[temurf]

I'm kind of a newbie here and I started this build in another thread in the "Introduce yourself" section. Pete suggested that I start a new thread.

This was the original plan.


I am using the vertical chamber from this old offset I've had for 15 years.



I'm using this 100 pound propane tank for the horizontal chamber.



I ran the numbers through the PitCalc and came up with a 16.5 x 16 x 12 firebox



Then I found out that I should only use the volume of the horizontal chamber and not the combined volume of both chambers. ( thanks Rod Crafter ) Now my firebox is way oversized.

I wasn't originally planning on insulating the firebox but I did some more fingering and found that if I insulate, the inside dims of the FB will be 15.5 x 14 x 15.5. That lands right smack in the sweet spot at 112%. so I guess it will work out OK.

[Rodcrafter]

And it will be very efficient on fuel. Good plan!


Making memories.

[temurf]

the inside dims of the FB will be 15.5 x 14 x 15.5

My fat fingers have done it again. The ACTUAL dims will be 15.5 x 14 x 10.

While waiting for my ceramic fiber insulation to arrive, I was looking at that drawing of the original plan and I got to thinking.(sometimes that is a dangerous thing) What if...........



Of course the first priority is to have a working cooker. Then I can work on the cosmetics. Stay tuned.

[forty_creek]

Choochoooo!!! I hear a train a comin'...
Just don't get stuck in prison


Drankin, Smokin and Dreamin

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Pete Mazz]

Kewl!!!

[Big T]

[Rodcrafter]

I hope the 10" dimension isn't the height. Fire tends to need a little more room vertically to burn freely in my experience.


Making memories.

[Squiggle]

[temurf]

I hope the 10" dimension isn't the height. Fire tends to need a little more room vertically to burn freely in my experience.

I hadn't thought about the height being a problem. I was planning on the FB being 10 high on the inside.
Not a problem. I will just turn it 90 degrees and it will be 14" high and 10 inches wide on the inside.
Thanks RC. That might have caused me some heartache down the road.
My brother is helping me with the welding as he is a welder / iron-worker by trade. He might not be happy with the latest change but he will get over it. He ought to be used to all the changes by now. This project seems to be evolving into something different than what it started out as.

[Rodcrafter]

This is what my big smoker looked like the first time I thought it was finished.


This what it looks like now and I'm still not done. But this thing is sweet.



And this is what it does with out even trying





So don't worry about change it can be good



Making memories.

[temurf]

Thanks for the encouraging words RC. I don't remember if I mentioned it but I really appreciate all the advice and encouragement I've gotten on this site. Y'all are awesome.

That sure is a sweet looking rig you've got there. And it puts out some good looking 'cue. I'm guessing that it is mighty tasty also.

This build won't get that big. It's supposed to be a patio model. I only need it to hold a couple briskets, a few racks of ribs and maybe a butt or two.

The next one, however.....
I'm already mulling over some ideas. I've got a basic idea in mind that keeps evolving even before I can get it down on paper.

[temurf]

So the insulation came in and we had some time to work on her this weekend.

This is the FB.
You can see where we patched the throat opening that I had already cut in the long side before I decided to re-orient the FB.







Got the FB all done except for the grinding and cleaning her up a bit.



Here is a view of the top showing the opening into the vertical chamber.



Here is the door. We still need to cut the holes in the one side.



I'll post more pics when we get more done.

[Big T]

[Squiggle]

[Rodcrafter]

Yeah you're headed for some good times


Making memories.

[temurf]

So the Bro came home the other day with a 4 foot chunk of 4 inch thick-wall pipe for the stack.

Here's a question: Is it a problem for the stack to be longer than the PitCalc calls for?
I ask because it calls for a chimney volume of 103 cubic inches and some change.

A 4 inch stack would need to be roughly 8.25 inches long. That seems to me to be too short. That's well below eye level when I'll be at the cooking grate.

If I go with a 3 inch pipe, it calls for about 15.5 inches.

Can I get away with a 4 inch stack that is 15.5 inches or do I need to acquire some smaller pipe?

Thanks to all for the encouragement thus far.

[Squiggle]

I know it's definitely better to stick with the numbers, not sure why, I think it has something to do with draft & freeing the airflow, I'm sure someone will clear it up.

[temurf]

Got the parts cut for the fire basket.

I'm using this piece of industrial grating for the bottom.


Found some scraps of heavy expanded metal for the sides.



We might get some welding done this weekend. My brother is the welder on this project and I am trying to learn as we go. It is difficult to find time when we are both available so we can work on it. When I am here I can do some grinding and cutting and prep work but even if I was good at welding I can't because the Bro takes the welder to work with him. Its what he does.

[Pete Mazz]

So the Bro came home the other day with a 4 foot chunk of 4 inch thick-wall pipe for the stack.

Here's a question: Is it a problem for the stack to be longer than the PitCalc calls for?
I ask because it calls for a chimney volume of 103 cubic inches and some change.

A 4 inch stack would need to be roughly 8.25 inches long. That seems to me to be too short. That's well below eye level when I'll be at the cooking grate.

If I go with a 3 inch pipe, it calls for about 15.5 inches.

Can I get away with a 4 inch stack that is 15.5 inches or do I need to acquire some smaller pipe?

Thanks to all for the encouragement thus far.

I would go with the 4". If you make it a little longer I don't foresee a problem, and you could always cut it down if there is one. Only time I've heard of issues is from a much longer stack that cools down the exhaust before exiting and doesn't draw.

[Rodcrafter]

You can make it longer and just make a damper for the top of it if you need to reduce the draw. Adjusting the intake air is the best way to reduce the heat but if it still won't run low enough with a small fire, the damper would give you the second option for draft control


Making memories.

[Big T]

[temurf]

Thanks y'all. I will probly go with the 4 incher. I want to take it up at least 2 inches above the top of the vertical cabinet. I'll use a combination rain cap / damper to choke down the airflow if I need to. Of course if I need to, I can always cut it down later.

We are still a ways off from the point where we will be ready for the stack so that leaves me enough time to change my mind several times.

[Dirtytires]

Option 3......run the longer 3 inch pipe but hide it inside a 4 inch. Best of both worlds.

[Squiggle]

Now that's a great idea!

[Pete Mazz]

Stay with the 4". It's not just about stack volume, which the calculator uses, it's also flow rate (volume of air per second). A longer 3" stack with the same volume of a shorter 4" stack has 2-3 times less flow rate.