Lawrence Brewers Guild

BourbonDrinker wrote:@Blktre

I read up on tuning plates. They sound awesome for horizontal offset smokers, but this one is a vertical offset...

I know, but imo the same applies. The deflector shield in the vertical only covers 1/3 of the cooking box width. I still think its a benefit to put the tuning plates all the way across the vertical section out of the fire box. 3 plates, even heat. The only reason i say this is because Ive seen plenty of smoke and fire in my day following contours. If the same happens off the edge of that reflector shield, then the heat isn't even. Then again, the width of the vertical isn't very wide. Just something to think about i suppose.

Anybody know a good place to pick up some fire-bricks? Want to line my Hondo firebox.
jim

I think you can get some at Pool and Fireside. Maybe even Home Despot.

The block place out North of town past TP Junction has some.

JMcG wrote:Anybody know a good place to pick up some fire-bricks? Want to line my Hondo firebox.
jim

I looked around. Cheapest is Capitol Concrete outside of Lawrence.

$1.80 per half brick (1.25 inches thick).

If you find cheaper let me know, but I think this is a bargain.

Blktre wrote:

BourbonDrinker wrote:@Blktre

I read up on tuning plates. They sound awesome for horizontal offset smokers, but this one is a vertical offset...

I know, but imo the same applies. The deflector shield in the vertical only covers 1/3 of the cooking box width. I still think its a benefit to put the tuning plates all the way across the vertical section out of the fire box. 3 plates, even heat. The only reason i say this is because Ive seen plenty of smoke and fire in my day following contours. If the same happens off the edge of that reflector shield, then the heat isn't even. Then again, the width of the vertical isn't very wide. Just something to think about i suppose.

I'll do the deflector for now and see how heat distribution is. If it's given me troubles I'll add tuning plates. The deflector will pass the air over fire bricks and directly under a water pan. I think the general thought is that the water pan evens out heat and acts kind of like a tuning plate due to its size and central location.

Remember I'm new to all this so it'll be a bit of trial by fire to get it running smoothly.

I looked around. Cheapest is Capitol Concrete outside of Lawrence.

$1.80 per half brick (1.25 inches thick).

If you find cheaper let me know, but I think this is a bargain.

Capitol Concrete? That out by "Mt. Blue"?

I think you can get some at Pool and Fireside. Maybe even Home Despot.

Couldn't find any at HD. Thought the Swims and Sweeps might be a possibility, but their prices usually high end.

I'll check out in N Lawrence, too.

Thanks all,
jim

JMcG wrote:

I looked around. Cheapest is Capitol Concrete outside of Lawrence.

$1.80 per half brick (1.25 inches thick).

If you find cheaper let me know, but I think this is a bargain.

Capitol Concrete? That out by "Mt. Blue"?

Capitol Concrete Products Inc, 1452 East 1823 Road, Lawrence, KS 66044-9100

It's about a 15 minute drive from downtown Lawrence SE of town. I'm going to buy a couple dozen half bricks from them whe I get around to it.

Actually, the place in N Lawrence is also Capitol Concrete, same price for the bricks. Just past the junction, east side.
j

Devi I put the waterpan on rack obove fire box had no problem on heating evening worked good for me but maybe i dident know any deferent Jack!!

Well, here it is. The infamous smoker. I'll post some beauty shots of the restored unit in a day or two.

Looks like a beauty and it should serve you well.

Can't tell from the photos but you may need to elevate the ash grate for long smoking times.

Nice.

Here are some pics of the smoker at the end of day 12. More pics to come soon as I finish up the final details. Anyone have some scrap hardwood laying around. I need a plank that measures about 12"x20" by 1/2-3/4" thick or several planks that would add up to that...

Here's the finished smoker project. I fired it up on Sunday. It got up to 250 degrees in less than ten minutes. Now I just need to get better at holding temp for a sustained period. Hopefully next weekend I'll put some real eats in it and go to town! I'm looking forward to learning more about using it and appreciate any pointers the more experienced guild members care to share---cause right now, I don't know squat!

You have been busy my man, looks great! That was some hard work and attention to detail. How about some tips on how you got it to look so pretty?