braunfel reverse flow modification

boykjo · Aug 11, 2011

Got busy this morning and decided to turn my braunfel into a reverse flow. Not happy with the way its hot at one end and cold at the other..... so I found some free plate steel and went to work.....

removed the smoke stack and cut out the stack holder and cut a new hole for holder

prepped the stack holder for installation

welded in place

patch the hole

fabricated a side plate to devert flow under the base plate, it is not welded in, just bolted to the side. Want to see how it works before I weld it in...

with everything in place

will be giving it a try-out tomorrow to see how it runs........probabley some chicken thighs.......

Boom.......Thats what she's supposed to look like....

Thanks for looking

Joe

solaryellow · Aug 11, 2011

Looks good Joe!

oldschoolbbq · Aug 11, 2011

Joe, that looks like a RedRiver model,if so,I have the same unit and have reversed it a long time ago. It works very well and holds temp good across the grill.

However,might I suggest that as for welding it in place, you leave it so you can get it out. The reason is, a lot of junk from the SFB gets in under the plate and cleaning is a bummer.By leaving it so you can rermove it,the soot,ash,wood pieces and so-forth can be removed.

I made mine of SS and created a slight"V" in the middle ,so juices can run to the drain(where I have an old funnel placed to catch it all.).I goes into my drip bucket or I can (after cleaning) I can catch and use to juices for Aujus or to use in my sauce.

It looks great and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do

.

One thing I noticed is you have only one Therm. placed at the hottest part of the cooker;IMHO, I would get another thermometer or two for truer readings at cooking level.And remember to raise the fire grate to 4" or so above the intake for easier oxygenation of the fuel.

Now, I use all wood in mine and it does just fine;thought you might want to try that and do away with the other smelly fuels

.

Have fun with iot and...

raptor700 · Aug 11, 2011

Great mod Joe

Looking forward to the thighs

boykjo · Aug 12, 2011

oldschoolbbq said:
     Joe, that looks like a RedRiver model,if so,I have the same unit and have reversed it a long time ago. It works very well and holds temp good across the grill.

However,might I suggest that as for welding it in place, you leave it so you can get it out. The reason is, a lot of junk from the SFB gets in under the plate and cleaning is a bummer.By leaving it so you can rermove it,the soot,ash,wood pieces and so-forth can be removed.

      I made mine of SS and created a slight"V" in the middle ,so juices can run to the drain(where I have an old funnel placed to catch it all.).I goes into my drip bucket or I can (after cleaning) I can catch and use to juices for Aujus or to use in my sauce.

     It looks great and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do

.

     One thing I noticed is you have only one Therm. placed at the hottest part of the cooker;IMHO, I would get another thermometer or two for truer readings at cooking level.And remember to raise the fire grate to 4" or so above the intake for easier oxygenation of the fuel.

      Now, I use all wood in mine and it does just fine;thought you might want to try that and do away with the other smelly fuels

.

Have fun with iot and...

Thanks for the info oldschool.... I was more apt to not welding it in.... I was thinking about the v groove but was lazy... I will definatley have it in my big build. Also thanks for the heads up on the firebox. I have noticed the fuel not burning evenly. I bet the 4 inches will take care of that........

Thanks Rap.. I wont forget the q-veiw..............

Joe

hdflame · Aug 12, 2011

Joe, that's a great mod. Good looking welding too!

I have that model without the side firebox that somebody gave me. I also have the Charbroiler with the side firebox and it's not near as thick or heavy! My firebox is rusting like crazy. I need to wire brush and paint it.

I'm thinking of adding the side firebox to the Braunfel, that would be a lot better unit then.

I started converting my Charbroiler over to a RF and instead of removing the smoke stack, I just added a second. Didn't know if I might want it there when I use charcoal directly under the cooking area?? Anyhow, I can just close it off when I don't need it.

Since mine has a lighter gauge metal than yours, I have a pretty good gap between the firebox and cooking chamber where they're bolted together. I think it's from warping from heat. I'm thinking of putting a weld around there too in order to better control air intake. I like the size and the way the Charbroiler cooks, but it was just a cheap solution until I can build a REAL RF on a trailer! They used way too thin gauge of metal, but what can I expect for $150 at Wallyworld?

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braunfel reverse flow modification

boykjo

Renowned Sausage Maker

solaryellow

Master of the Pit

oldschoolbbq

Legendary Pitmaster

raptor700

Master of the Pit

boykjo

Renowned Sausage Maker

hdflame

Meat Mopper

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