How to Build a Barbecue Smoker Firebox
- 1). Secure each of the steel plates, one at a time, with the C-clamp onto the work bench. Any material will work for a work bench as long as it's metal (to prevent accidents) and not wood. Grind the edges of each steel plate with the grinder. This will dull the edges a bit and make the welding process go smoother.
- 2). Place the bottom steel plate (18 by 17 1/2 inches) on the work bench, laying it down flat. Position one of the side plates (17 1/2 by 17 1/2 inches) on the side of the bottom plate, standing it up vertically to act as a wall. Hold it in place.
- 3). Turn on the arc welder to the highest possible setting. Move the tip of the arc welder from one end of the other, both inside and outside of the two steel plates, welding the two pieces together. You now have the bottom and one wall of the firebox.
- 4). Repeat the previous step with the second side plate (17 1/2 by 17 1/2 inches) on the other side of the bottom plate. Weld both the inside and outside together.
- 5). Weld the end steel plate to the firebox (18 by 18 inches) from both inside and outside. This gives you two sides, the bottom and the end piece. The open areas of the firebox are where you will place your fire source. Keeping it open will also make cleanup a lot easier. Let the firebox sit untouched for 24 hours before using it with your smoker.
