Reverse Flow Build

sandyeggoxj · Dec 2, 2016

So awhile back I picked up a 4' long piece of 24" pipe. So, naturally, I fired up CAD and started making a smoker! I love the indirect heat idea so I went with the reverse flow concept.

I cut the door with a cutoff wheel. When the top was done, but the door was not complete, I welded on the hinges. This kept everything aligned.

I have a great air inlet damper that is welded up and nice and tight. It seals up well and provides great control. The firebox, reverse flow plate, and ends are all 1/4" steel. I used 1/2" for the top of the firebox. It provides a great place to cook some other foods: beans, corn or warming breads.

Elkobrewer · Dec 2, 2016

Very nice.

sandyeggoxj · Dec 3, 2016

@Elkobrewer, Thanks!

Next I finished up the firebox and installed the door and vent. The door comes off with the removal of the door pins if I need to take it off. The air inlet is a tight fit right now but that is breaking in as I use it. I would prefer it to be tight but actually seal.

Welding the firebox to the cook chamber was pretty easy. I had a notch in the end of the pipe that fit perfectly with the firebox. With the help of a jack stand it sat perfect and I welded all the visible areas up. Then I flipped it up on the end and welded the bottom side.

Then I drilled the drain hole and measured up the reverse flow plate. It has a 5º bend in the plate and is sloped to help the grease drain off. The slope is gentle enough that I still get the flavor and moisture of the grease as it cooks off of the hot metal.

Once the thing was all one piece I had to start using the engine hoist as a shop crane. I measured the COG and built the legs. Then it was back to CAD and i drew up the cooking grates. They are made from 1/4" steel that is CNC laser cut and bent. The bends give it rigidity. The "B" is the first initial of my last name as well as the first letter of my smoker parts business: BrewCustomEngineering.

The smokestack is made from 4" sch40 pipe. The double mitered joint aids in airflow and it has no problem as a chimney. In fact, it flows really well. with proper air flow I don't have to worry about "stale smoke."

The last picture is the testing. It works! I have cooked in it a couple times now. Today is going to be a fresh elk backstrap.

I still have to build the wheel and handle system. I made some axle brackets for a removable rear axle. It will allow me to roll it over gravel and grass and once in place remove the axle. Most of the time this will sit in my backyard. It weighs around 800# so I don't plan to move it around much....

Thanks for ready and checking out the pictures. It was a really fun build! I would definitely recommend something like to this anyone who has some basic fabrication tools.