My first RF smoker build

aussiesmoker84 · Feb 22, 2016

Hi all
So I'm attempting a smoker build and to say I'm not totally grasping the maths behind it would be an understatement.
The tank I'm using has an overall length of 33inches and a diameter of 18.5inches, if my math is correct it would be about 33 gallons and that's with allowing less volume because of the end tanks. Is this to small to make a smoker out of?

image.jpeg

aussiesmoker84
Feb 22, 2016

image.jpeg

aussiesmoker84
Feb 22, 2016

I was thinking of starting with the FB/CC half moon opening first so I could work out door placement from there. I've put in a FB dimension in Feldon's bbq calculator and it's given me a half moon opening size of 7.2 inches, now I might sound stupid here haha but do I mark a line from edge to edge that's 7.2inches long? Like this

image.jpeg

aussiesmoker84
Feb 22, 2016

Would anyone have an opinion of what FB dimensions I should use?

Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance

daveomak · Feb 22, 2016

The tutorial below will build you a better RF smoker than Feldon's..... They are basically the same except for the FB/CC opening and related openings....

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...others-ready-to-use-rev5-6-19-15#post_1264161

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 5, 2016

So I haven't been on here for awhile, had stuff going on. Anyway I'm slowly getting along with my build and need some advice on my firebox intakes. I've marked on the box where I'm thinking of putting the door and intakes but started think having all the intakes under the fire level might not be a great idea. Here's some pics

Any help or opinion would be greatly appreciated
Cheers guys

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 5, 2016

Messing about with different intake positions. Dotted line is the fire tray and the 4 circles are different intake heights I'm thinking.

image.jpg

aussiesmoker84
Apr 5, 2016

Still have some intakes on the other side that are below the fire tray.

daveomak · Apr 6, 2016

This set-up has been working for years..... I'd follow it....

5f0d0167_firebox-5.gif

daveomak
Mar 29, 2016

.. ..

Smoker Exh and Intakes 2.jpg

daveomak
Mar 10, 2016

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 6, 2016

I'm assuming with most of the air intake on the bottom vents?

daveomak · Apr 6, 2016

AussieSmoker84 said:
I'm assuming with most of the air intake on the bottom vents?

About 80 %.... .http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/reverse-flow-smoker-how-to-calculate-build-tutorial

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 6, 2016

Cheers Dave. I should ask before I go welding the FB to the CC, I worked out the my throat cut out height was 2.6 inches. Does that sound about right?

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aussiesmoker84
Apr 6, 2016

daveomak · Apr 6, 2016

4.25" tall cut out.... + probably 1/4" for FB metal thickness..

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 6, 2016

Oh wow! I was way off haha

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 6, 2016

Like I said not great at maths. How did you work that out? Sorry for all the hassle

daveomak · Apr 6, 2016

My mistake... 3.5" tall..... +

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 6, 2016

Well 3.5 is better than 4.5 haha. I don't know how I missed by so much. I know it's not on you to work everything out for newbies on their builds but that 3.5 is spot on? Thanks so much I really appreciate it. You've saved me a lot of heartache and anger haha

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 6, 2016

I went off this when I originally worked everything out months ago

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aussiesmoker84
Apr 6, 2016

daveomak · Apr 6, 2016

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/reverse-flow-smoker-how-to-calculate-build-tutorial

This is the third time I have posted this on your thread.... Use it if you want a great operating smoker....

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 6, 2016

My apologies, I didn't fully grasp it before but now I understand it(I hope)

The calculator gave me a FB-CC opening of 23.40

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aussiesmoker84
Apr 6, 2016

And this is what I got from the segment calculator

image.jpeg

aussiesmoker84
Apr 6, 2016

Then I'm assuming I add 1/4inch on top of that for the thickness of the firebox

Am I in the ball park?

Again I'm sorry for being annoying but I do appreciate the help you're giving me

Cheers

daveomak · Apr 7, 2016

You've got it...... NOW, using Feldon's numbers is NOT the way I would go....   Use my calculations....   Feldon's will cause you an overheated Firebox and poor heat/smoke flows through the smoker....   Have you opened that link and read it ???

Your CC volume X 0.004 will be the area between the FB and CC....   area under the RF plate and area at the end of the RF plate...

Diam. 18.5 X 33" length....   18.5 x 18.5 X .7854 X 33 = 8870 cu. in. X 0.004 = 35 sq. in. FB/CC opening

Using the circle calculator, click on radius and segment height box...   put 9" in radius box.... 3.5" in segment height box....

NOW...   ED is the height of the cut.....   AB is the width of the cut...   ED is how high from the bottom of the CC is where the RF plate goes...   ED is how far from the end of the CC is where the RF p[late ends....

8870 CC volume X 0.022 = 195 cu. in for the exhaust

195 / .7854 X 3 x 3 = 27" high stack BUT I would use a 3" exhaust stack 34" tall....

I'm just trying to help you understand where the numbers come from....   read the tutorial I have put together... It explains a bunch... Once you understand why I built a new tutorial and promote it over Feldon's, this krap should make sense....

aussiesmoker84 · Apr 7, 2016

That's a relief, thanks for that.
I'll run through those calculations you gave me tomorrow after a good sleep.
Yep I did open it up and have a read, I think somewhere in that thread or maybe another one you made a post about hoods bending when cutting out. I was cutting out mine and it started bending out so I stopped and welded it back down. Any tips on stopping it doing that?

daveomak · Apr 7, 2016

Any tips on stopping it doing that?

Not that I know of... It's from stress during the rolling process... Maybe, install the FB and exhaust, and build a really hot fire to relieve the stress in the CC tank..... don't know really......

My first RF smoker build

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