Well... I was a bit confused about insulating the smoker. As far as how to do it efficiently without adding a ton of weight to it due to multiple layers of steel enclosing the insulation. I'm trying to stick around the 115 lb mark like the Chubby is and I'm getting close to 100 lbs if I were to guess so far. What I have left is the coal pan, firebox vents, rack guides, racks and then sheeting the outside. I used 10ga steel for the cooking compartment and the bottom sheet that holds the coal tray. 2x1 tubing on the face and then 1x1 tubing for the rest of it. I don't know if that was overkill or not. I used my best judgement in picking the materials. Also my budget had a little to do with the selection of materials.
As far as insulating the smoker:
I would assume that the insulation needs to be enclosed between sheeting and seperated from both the fire box and the cooking box?
I would also assume that the insulation would be "sandwiched" by steel and mounted on the outside of the frame I have.
One solution I can come up with is to form 2 end caps 1/2 inch deep. 1 of the caps would be 1/8th inch smaller so that one fits inside the other and put insulation between them and then install this sort of cap to each side of the smoker.
The other is taking 1 end cap, 1/2inch deep and mounting it pan side out, filling with insulation, and then sheeting the outside. Either way it's adding 2 layers of sheeting to the smoker.
Are either of these ideas the right way?
Also does insulation (with the way I'm doing this build) matter a lot?
I used to be a sheet metal worker and I have access to all the tools needed to do whatever but I was just confused since I don't have a Chubby Smoker to examine in person.
Thanks in advance!