bvbull200's Gravity Fed Cabinet Smoker Build Thread - Under the Tutelage of Maner

The Tacoma is still mostly stock, but I figured I could have a build thread of sorts with the smoker that I'm working on under the guidance of one @Bigdaddy4760.

First off, I have to give a HUGE thanks to Maner and his amazing generosity. I don't have the tools, space, or expertise to pull off something like this, but Maner has graciously offered up all three to help get this thing built. He's a really, really good friend for doing all of that.

As for the smoker, it is a Double Pan Gravity Fed Cabinet Smoker. Plans were acquired from https://smokerplans.net/.




We'll go with something slightly different from that one, but that's the idea.

Plan is to use 8" casters, use a different form of latching/handle set up, add a temp controller (more later), add a recess to house the temp controller, increase the capacity and height options for the rack (allow for closer spacing of more racks if desired), and custom paint (more on that later, too).


Day 1 of building:

The boys ready to go:


First step was stuffing insulation in the square tubing of the frame:





Next came starting framing the thing:




Frame side one complete:


Framing out the rest of it:



Interior skins starting to be applied:




Interior skins nearly complete:


Hoisted out of the way to work on the charcoal chute/firebox:


Not a ton of in-progress pics of the chute/firebox, but it is a HEAVY SOB. We aren't crazy about the details of the design, but overall, it is robust and should feed charcoal/wood easily and consistently.






Pretty much left it there after day one. Frame 95% complete (three pieces drop in after the firebox gets attached) and the firebox done.




Day two update.

Visually, it doesn't look like a whole lot got done, but I assure you that today was very productive, despite my late arrival due to a number of failed stops looking for 2" schedule 40 pipe.

Here's what we got done today:

Angle iron was cut to make slides to hold the coal grate for the firebox:


Cold roll and flat iron for the grate:


Maner had a clever design for a handle and this was the end result:


Here's where it fits in:


And slid all the way in:



Here is Maner realizing that we're about to have a fitment issue:



The plans call to leave part of the frame out until after the firebox is installed. We left those three pieces out. The plans do not suggest that the cross beam at the top needs to be welded in after the firebox, but we saw NO way that this could go together without removing it, so we did. Here I am grinding that SOB out:




Kind of miffed at that lack of detail in paid plans, but we had a chuckle, got to grinding, then fixed it all up. Chute/firebox in place:



Next was the most tedious part so far and I give FULL credit to Maner for shouldering the load. We had to weld the seams for the interior skin to get it completely sealed off. Wire speed had to be slow for this application, so it took a lot of work. I worked on grinding a few pieces we were going to need and cutting insulation, but Maner was a BEAST at the welding:



Once that seam was completed, the first panel of insulation went in. Here is a major reason this thing will be so damn efficient:



Outer skin tacked and grinded:



We have a side completed!




One mod we did was adding extra support to the inner skins that will be supporting the cooking racks. Here is one side:



Did two supports on either side of the chute for the other side. You can see some insulation added in here as well. This side will ultimately be packed with insulation (Lord knows I bought plenty ):



Here's a peek at what sort of cooking capacity we're going to be looking at. It can cook a whole bvbull200:



Spitballing signage options for the back of this thing. It's HUGE and needs a little something to break up the space.



You know how you can count the rings in a treek truck to see how old it is? We have something similar. You can count the rings to see how long we've been working .

 

Reserved

 

Behind the scenes footage and actual smoker trailer being built:




Welding Skillz:







@bvbull200 checking on beer stash:





@Bigdaddy4760 's recycle pile...






The Trash Girl:






Test Run:







Dinner Served:










In for shenanigans!

 

Reserved

 

What the hell? I tried to reserve three posts and didn't get them, now Zach is all up in my business.

 

haha. it had been over 40 minutes since you reserved... I thought it was safe we can have the mods move me if needed

 

With no WiFi it’s amazing he was able to get there so fast

 

No, you were good. I guess I had just reserved too fast and they didn't post. All good, my man.

I'll get a mod to move later.

 

Should delete and sling a 3 day ban hammer on em.

That’ll teach vomit chicken boy.

Smoker is coming together very nicely. Can’t wait to see it complete. Sent you the panel price let me know what you want and we will get er done.

 

It would be my first!

 

Work has wifi though!

 

I’m just messing with you. Lack of WiFi in an Uber pit is punishment enough.

 

Touché!

 

Temp controller will have an un-Zach mod that includes WiFi for remote monitoring and controlling.

 

Hey he has the cup showing his membership in the No WiFi club. Plus another club.

 

subbed!

 

that thing is going to need its own trailer!

 

I think that may be in the works also lol