building a smoker question..

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hey guys. i'm building a big smoker and was wandering about how high the smoke exhaust should be. or how long? also, does the wood box need a air vent on it to adjust the air it can get? thanks guys! here's a couple pics of it so far. let me know if there's any additions I should make. Attached Images
Reply:Those are some questions that you should have answered before beginning fabrication.Looks like you have a nice start to a smoker though.I suggest doing a search and reading through several smoker builds.  Also search on http://www.thesmokering.com/GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:they're questions that can be fixed by simply adding length to the exhaust pipe if needed and I haven't even started on the wood box yet. thanks
Reply:Really simply, you need a pipe out the top opposite the firebox to draw the heat.  The higher is generally better although few go more than a few feet.An adjustable air vent will be nearly a necessity.  Although I usually leave mine wide open.  If you choke off the air while smoking you get a nasty creosote smokethat doesn't taste good.  Make room for a water pan or several.  My opinion is you can't have enough water in there, it moderates the temperature and keeps the meat moist.I also welded a piece of steel with angled 2" wide strips to shield the meat from direct view of the fire but letting air pass.But check out the link Gravel posted for design ideas.millermatic 130XPharbour freight 180 amp mig with added caps.hobart stickmate ac/dcpowerarc 200
Reply:Check this out.http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.htmlGravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:here's a few of the latest pics. notice there's 2 2" holes with caps on top of the door. will these help and be enough to help with air? also I have a damper made on the exhaust pipe of the main cooker. and will I need a air adjuster cut in the firebox itself when I get it built? Attached Images
Reply:also, I was told that the exhaust pipe should be put in the main cooker low instead of up high because heat and smoke rises. so this would help with keeping more smoke and heat inside the cooker
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelCheck this out.http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelCheck this out.http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html
Reply:Originally Posted by FernTJYes, do this.  I built mine using these calculations and it worked out great.
Reply:Originally Posted by FernTJYes, do this.  I built mine using these calculations and it worked out great.
Reply:nice! why did you put the exhaust pipe on the same side as the wood box though? also, you gave me a great idea for the air adjustment on the wood box. thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by hobarthenrynice! why did you put the exhaust pipe on the same side as the wood box though? also, you gave me a great idea for the air adjustment on the wood box. thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by hobarthenrynice! why did you put the exhaust pipe on the same side as the wood box though? also, you gave me a great idea for the air adjustment on the wood box. thanks!
Reply:Here are what my fire box and stack dampers look like.  The fire box dampers are the same on both sides.  The caldulator on The Smoke Ring will tell you how much inlet you need and how big to make the hole between the fire box and cooking chamber.Dan Attached ImagesManipulator Of Metal
Reply:nice!! the bottom kind of slide air adjustment is what I think i'm gonna use on my build.
Reply:Yes, I built a reverse flow smoker.  I run all wood in that one.  The green barrel is my vertical drum smoker.  It has a charcoal basket that I light and lower into the barrel with a few pieces of wood for smoke.  Then a cooking grate goes in over the basket.Here is the finished reverse flow smoker.Last edited by FernTJ; 10-08-2014 at 07:21 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelCheck this out.http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html
Reply:Originally Posted by FernTJYes, I built a reverse flow smoker.  I run all wood in that one.  The green barrel is my vertical drum smoker.  It has a charcoal basket that I light and lower into the barrel with a few pieces of wood for smoke.  Then a cooking grate goes in over the basket.Here is the finished reverse flow smoker.
Reply:Henry, find a comfy chair, a good cup of you favotite beverage and check out the smoke ring link.......make sure you have plenty of time as there is a schitt ton of great ideas and cool stuff to read and see!Fern, nice looking reverse flow.
Reply:Originally Posted by vwguy3Henry, find a comfy chair, a good cup of you favotite beverage and check out the smoke ring link.......make sure you have plenty of time as there is a schitt ton of great ideas and cool stuff to read and see!Fern, nice looking reverse flow.
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelCheck this out.http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.html