The calculator called for a 30x30x24, But I made it 24x24x24 because I would need another sheet of ¼" steel to make it larger.what are the dimensions on your firebox?
Thanks portside, And yes I love the two doors with the through access and would do it again. It works great and I strongly recommend it.Raptor, I been looking at your build, and have to admit, you have changed my mind about my new and FIRST build. I too have gotten a 250 propane tank and was going to make it with 2 side by side access doors. In looking at your build, you made 2 doors, but one on each side for through acccess. I like this concept, but wonder, do you still like this and would do it again, or are you wishing you went with the side by side method. I think I know the answer. The only question I have for you PLEASE. Can you tell me what the measurments are for your doors, length and with. I have not made my first cut yet, and want to start marking off the doors. Thanks, and any other tidbits you can share would greatly help the NOOB, but eager builder I am. Thanks, Ken... Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Yes you are seeing it correctly.Thanks, that really helps. Last note for now, Ill stop bugging you if I can help it. As I look at your doors, it appears you have 2 inch strips around the edges on the sides and the bottom of the doors. I understand why. What I'm trying to see is, it appears on the top of the doors, underneath the hinges, you have welded the strip on the inside of the tank so the door closes on top to create the seal on the top portion of the door. Am I seeing this correctly? I have been wondering about how to cleanly make the seal around the doors, and this seems to work well instead of having the strip on the outside of the top and working around the hinges. Thanks, Ken
Raptor,Yes you are seeing it correctly.
I found that if you try to seal the door from the top you can only get about a 1/8" overlap to seal the door. If you overlap the seal more than that you cannot open the door.
You could weld a strip on top of the door for cosmetic purposes but it's not a good seal.
PS............Your not bugging me, that's what were here for
Raptor,
Great build! I too, have a 250 that I want to do a RF build with. Couple of questions for you please.
I really like the idea of the one long single door instead of the two with a middle divider. It gives you room for a whole hog if you want to.
Did you have any problems with warping because of no support in the middle?
I have had no problem with warping, although it is ¼"
Do you really find a need to have the door on both sides, especially since you made the full slide outs? I'm just trying to figure out when you'd need access to both sides on a 250 with the pull out shelves? The bottom racks are 30" across, it's quite a reach for a short guy.
Plus when you apply sauce or just putting meat in or removing it.It's a lot easier.
I have cooked several events and no matter which direction I have to park, I always have a door on the curb side.
OK, I understand about making the top cuts, and welding the hinges on before finishing the rest of them, great idea. Here's what I'm thinking. If you cut across the top and at least partially down the sides...why couldn't you go ahead and weld your 2" strips across the top, then weld your hinges on "TOP" of the strips? Wouldn't that give you the seal you need, but still allow it to open?
You could But, you can only get about an 1/8" overlap and the door still be able to open.
And I'm not sure the weight of the door would be supported very well with the hinges on top of the 2" strips.
Again, I really appreciate you documenting your build. I'll be stealing some of your ideas!
Hope this helps
Thanks,
Bobby
I think I get what your saying, but with the type hinges i used i couldn't extend them.As far as strength, just extend the hinges past the overlap and weld to the door itself. I can see it in my head, it's trying to put it on paper without drawing that's hard!
Thanks buddyThat is one real nice smoker !!!!!!! GREAT JOB ! I just saw this..