self build question

[xxredmaxx]

Hi All

I am having a go a building a smoker. Considering the type of super duper machines i have seen my 1st effort will be fairly rudimentary but I want to learn as I go and foresee a mk2 and mk 3 in the future.

I have used an old fuel drum and as you can see form pictures have created a hinged lid.

[img][IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/xxredmaxx/Smoker%20Project/20140727_150458_zps7937ac8f.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/xxredmaxx/Smoker%20Project/20140727_150503_zps08d0ac53.jpg[/img][/img]

I will be placing a mild steel plate in the bottom with holes drilled in it and this is mainly to take up some space at the bottom and create a place for hot cinders to drop on to rather then the skin of the drum.

I will then place some wire mesh to hold the fuel (wood and charcoal) and then about 100mm above and level with the opening will be the cooking grill.

My main issue at the moment is creating a nice seal for the lid. As you can see after grinding the lid out I have a fair size gap on sides and bottom.
My idea is to get some thin gauge stainless steel strips and rivet them to the outside of the lid to create a nice flange the overlaps on to the drum.

I was then thinking a heat proof seal would be good and that's where i need some advice. I could put a seal on the underside of the stainless steel flange so when the lid shuts its nice and air tight.

I will be placing some controllable vents each end and on top to control temp and smoke.

Can anyone point me to what to use and somewhere in the UK. I was thinking of the seals around log burners unless you have a better idea?

Any advice appreciated.

many thanks

[JEC]

I've used this to seal a register plate above a wood burner, I should think it would be OK for the temperatures involved, the higher temperature material is a lot harder so won't make a seal

http://shop.vitcas.com/heat-resistant-silicone-sealant-310ml-vitcas-15-p.asp

It's listed as being suitable for ovens so should be safe in near contact with food. If you put tape around the opening and then apply this to the stainless plate it will create a perfect seal to the shape of the drum, once cured remove the tape and you should have a functional seal.

Alternatively you could use something like this and rivet in place

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stove-Thermal-Tape-Black-Adhesive/dp/B0049NEE5Q/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1406488314&sr=8-9&keywords=stove+rope+seal

[xxredmaxx]

Thanks that is very helpful

Both ideas have their merits but I like the silicone one and would like to try that first but just to clarify method...

Are you saying put tape (what kind? ) on the drum opening where the flange from the lid will meet?
I then pump the silicone bead on the underside of the the flange and then let the lid close whilst the silicone is curing?
What stops the silicone sticking to the tape?

Sorry if I've misunderstood.

Baby steps and all that

[xxredmaxx]

Update...

I found some aluminium strips at B&Q and rivetted them to the edges.

[img][IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/xxredmaxx/Smoker%20Project/20140803_174426_zpskkdkvked.jpg[/img][/img]

I then added the silicone after placing decorators tape around the opening and it worked a treat!

As you can see from the photos I now have a nice rubber seal which should keep heat and smoke inside more efficiently.

[img][IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/xxredmaxx/Smoker%20Project/20140803_174452_zpsga7kmdzr.jpg[/img][/img]

[img][IMG]http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e22/xxredmaxx/Smoker%20Project/20140803_174444_zpserekpzj7.jpg[/img][/img]

[JEC]

Excellent, glad you sorted it.