Insulating a Firebox on Your Offset Smoker: Is It Necessary?

[@gregal92150]

Thanks a lot Frank. Your advice are gold!

[@SmokerBuilder]

@@gregal92150 glad I could help!

[@tonysluss7008]

What's your thoughts on semi - insulated ? Two inch air gap. I really enjoy your videos, thank you.

[@TheFiremanJoe]

Thanx for this valuable information. Do you have any videos or suggestions for building an offset smoker with an oval oil tank?

[@mrthompson601]

Thanks I'm having one built and was wondering if an additional $1600 for an insulated firebox was worth it

[@DrFrankenschtein]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom and guidance with us. We appreciate you! Do you happen to sell pits of your own?

[@SmokerBuilder]

Thanks! we do sell pits! Check out Smokeslinger.com for thecurrent offering. However, we do have a new offset in the works and will launch it before the end of January 2025

[@DXT61]

I am not a "smoker" but my brother in law asked to make him one. I have the means to cut,weld or any fabrication needed. I currently have a "barrel" that is basically 1/4" plate that has been folded over and welded into a "barrel" It has a diameter of 44" on both ends and stands 5ft tall. I was going to cut it up for other projects but figured we could make the firebox in the bottom and leave it vertical. I'm just searching You tube to get an idea of how this works and smokers are built.

[@gfhfresno]

Random question...is there a reason to not use a square tube for exhaust?

[@SmokerBuilder]

@@gfhfresno nope, square tube works great! As long as it sized appropriately by volume

[@weldrup]

Any opinion on adding an insulated plate on top of the baffle on a reverse flow? Building one now and considering it.

[@SmokeCheck114]

If i insulate the firebox will it still polymeriz?

[@jarrettrix95]

On trailer mounted smokers, do you worry about the heat from the non-insulated fire boxes damaging the tires? Looking at building my first trailer mounted pit but unsure about this.

[@aaronoates1295]

Does your opinion on insulating a firebox change for pits that will be running in cold and snowy climates?

[@ebsenhouseproductions2223]

I have the same question! It’s gets cold in South Dakota! 😂

[@rc8rsracer1]

As a guy in michigan with an insulated firebox is can tell yoy they are absolutely worth it. The southern guys saying they're not needed dont experience many 20 degree days or less...

[@jacobbruns4579]

I too have the same question. I live in west central Minnesota and work road construction so my main "off season" is usually below zero temps.

[@rc8rsracer1]

@jacobbruns4579 insulate it. I'm in michigan. They are worth it for us in the north

[@TheDnlnext]

Wouldn't you just adjust the damper and air, or mix (simi-seasoned) wood with a more “efficient” pit? Hard to imagine being too efficient is bad. I been to a lot of places in TX with Centex and Moberg smokers along others pulling crazy good Q. I'm not knocking on the video, just honestly curious. Thanks for posting sir.

[@SmokerBuilder]

Totally think I should define efficiency in a smoker versus compromises in cooking style You’ll hear me say a lot of times that there’s no wrong way to build a pit The guys you mentioned build phenomenal pits, and clearly their Pitmaster’s get amazing results. The difference is is those Pitmasters a lot of times have to make compromises on certain situations with the designs of the pits Like you mentioned in your comment about throwing Greenwood in to get more smoke The way i’ve always approached smoker design is to minimize how many compromises the Pitmaster has to make so that average Pitmaster can get amazing results with Little effort The new smoker were building in cooperation with mad scientist bbq called the solution offset is a perfect example of minimizing compromises on the part of the backyard Pitmaster so that they can get maximum results

[@TheDnlnext]

@@SmokerBuilder - thanks for the input. I look forward to watching your vids and keeping that dialogue. 👍

[@bigbendyuccacompany3955]

Very informative video, and I have no doubt I will move forward in buying an offset smoker with an uninsulated firebox. If I may, I’d like to ask about placement of the exhaust smoke pipe on a traditional offset I see most people putting the smoke collector at the level of the grill or midpoint. Some people put them on top of the smoker. do you see any issue with putting the exhaust pipe on the bottom third of the smoker? I know one builder that puts the exhaust pipe on the bottom third of the pit and would like to know your opinion concerning the exhaust pipe placement. Thank you in advance for the input you can provide

[@SmokerBuilder]

@@bigbendyuccacompany3955 thanks! I’ve only done that one time and I didn’t really notice that great of a difference between dead center and farther down when running the smoker the same way I think if the smoker was designed with a smaller firebox, she would definitely notice a negative impact and performance though It would require a lot more effort on fire management to compensate for that

[@bigbendyuccacompany3955]

@@SmokerBuilder Thank for your insight and experience. There is not much info to be found about stack placement. Maybe because it really doesn’t matter.

[@patrickbishop6296]

Is half of a 250 for a firebox to small? For a 1000 gallon

[@PitGangstastexasBBQ]

Yes. You need a 500 gallon firebox

[@closeaus88]

Frank did our phone conversation spark this topic?

[@SmokerBuilder]

Not sure actually, I have this conversation multiple times a day It seems. Also noticed it sparked quite a bit of controversy a few places I tested the content

[@Doug7153]

To much talk, not enough visual.