Another Bbq Pit Question

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Ok, I have built three stationary smokers now, but i think i am ready to build a bigger one on a trailer. I have a 24 diameter tube that is 3/8 thick. What I have planned is a five foot long cooking chamber, with a 2 foot long off-set firebox. My question is.. is two feet an adequate firebox for a five foot long tube?? Should it be bigger? Also, why do so many people spend extra money on flat metal to build square fireboxes? Are these more efficient or have some extra benefits i am missing? One more final question for all the pit builders out there. What size exhaust tube should i use and does it need to be a certain height for the smoke to properly draw through the cooking chamber? Thanks in advance, NickNick
Reply:I'm not a PRO cooker, so take this as you will.The fire Box is made Square, because most people don't want to take the time to figure out the way to do it in PIPE. I don't feel it gives any more Smoke /Flavor as to a pipe set-up. From the ones I've built. It Does However give a larger smoking area,( ie; MORE WOOD!!!)SO all I can tell you is it's BEST left up to the ONE doing the COOKING/SMOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!As to Square or Round.Brett B & B Fabrication and Welding Inc.Spalding, MI.
Reply:I have built several large cookers over the years, and square or round makes no difference. I tend to use more of a square because pipe can be tough to deal with.  Most of the cookers i built are used as a grill and a smoker.  On a 24" pipe its tough to get a charcoal rack that covers the cooking grill without getting the coals too close to the fire.  If you are just going to smoke then it won;t matter because your heat will not be coming from directly under the meat like a grill.  Two feet is plenty big for the size cooker you are talking about.  Just a thought, but i try to build mine as air tight as possible with good vents.  The better you can control the air, the better it will cook.  Do a search there is several projects like this on the forum.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Where did you get 24" diameter 3/8" thick pipe?  I need a piece for another project.PatrickLincoln 175HD
Reply:I see 24 inch pipe everywhere around here, I actualy got mine from a guy that did not need it and really didnt know what it was worth, I payed 80 bucks for it. It is a little over 7 feet. That is much less then you would pay at a scrap yard here though. A scrap yard would probaly charge somehwere around 90 dollars a foot depending on thickness and condition of the pipe.Nick