How To Build Your Own Smoker by Beau Reibel

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A few months ago, Beau Shared in our Facebook group his progress in making his new smoker.

It was so interesting that I asked him nicely to share with us his story and tips so y’all can enjoy it and learn!

Here is it:

I started smoking meat about 3 years ago.

Started with an Oklahoma joe and
quickly became obsessed.

About a year ago I was given a 500 gallon l.p. tank.

Stipulation was to include them in future cooks.

Research began on fabrication, Every spare minute I had was filled with research.

I had never welded or had I done any metal fabrication to speak of.

The tank still had l.p. in it so I had to carefully release the pressure. (The valve was still
attached so I just bled it out on and off for a few days) after that, I removed
all of the valves, filled it with water then drained it, refilled it and made
my first cuts.

I cut a door first. (In retrospect I would’ve cut the exhaust
first).

That door sprung a bit which I had to remedy.

The next-door I did properly by cutting top first, adding flange and hinges, then sides, adding
the flanges, then finally the bottom.

No springing. Then the exhaust.

I went with a collector, 1 because I think it draws the heat more evenly and 2 because I think it looks better. I went with a 6″ sched 40 pipe for the exhaust.

(I’m about to change it to an 8″ for better draw.)

The fire box was a 250 gal tank.

Fit up took awhile due to my inexperience im sure. A lot of fitting and grinding.

Next was the racks.

I decided on slide-out racks.
They’re about 3’x3′. Eventually, I’ll add upper racks as well.

All in all, she cooks great relatively even temps across the cook chamber.

I prefer oak and cherry mainly because I have an abundance on my property that I cut and season
my self.

Ultimately I want it trailer mounted and to get more into catering.

Tips for starting off: research, a lot of research. From welding to thermodynamics.

Find a design that best suits your needs and also what you
visually want the end product to be.

I really respect fat stack smokers, and also Aaron franklin so I based my build off of their inspiration.

All in all, just go for it(safely of course).