Design Question/Input

All I run is tuning plates as I prefer it over a reverse flow. I prefer my plates to be 6" below my grate so that the heat/smoke can dissipate some before reaching the meat causing hot spots. With that being said often times based on firebox placement a deflector is needed to reach that height but I do not go over about 25° on the angle and will adjust the plates accordingly. The deflector is welded in and I prefer it to be no wider than 6".

As far as bells and whistles I like my digital probe tees that I put on mine as well as stands for my digital transmitters to rest on to get them out of my way. I like my drop down rain cap as well. Pull out grates with recessed handles are nice. Most of the things I do are not really bells and whistles but more creature comforts I have designed over the years for me lol.

If you have an upper air inlet, along with a lower air inlet, in the FB, there should be no need for a deflector plate....    The plate, IMO, was installed because the FB got waaaay to hot...    The upper air inlet lowers the FB temp and moves heat into the CC...  That increased air flow, moving the heat, allows for the lower air inlet to JUST control the fire... 

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I have no problems with heat issues on my firebox side Dave. My Cookers run quite well and as I stated the deflector is strictly there to help reach my desired plate height. I'm not a big fan of the upper intake as I've never needed it on one of my builds.

kam59 said:

I have no problems with heat issues on my firebox side Dave. My Cookers run quite well and as I stated the deflector is strictly there to help reach my desired plate height. I'm not a big fan of the upper intake as I've never needed it on one of my builds.

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If you haven't cooked with one on a smoker, how would you know what value they provide ??

I put the upper vent on my RF, and have found it to be of little use. In fact it cools my CC. The only time I open it now is it's a good way to look at how the fire is doing without opening the door. I've tried it in every combination with the lower vents and my smoker just works better with that top vent closed.

Kyle

kam59 said:

I have no problems with heat issues on my firebox side Dave. My Cookers run quite well and as I stated the deflector is strictly there to help reach my desired plate height. I'm not a big fan of the upper intake as I've never needed it on one of my builds.

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I have been around cookers most my adult life Dave. I have helped more folks fix problem cookers than I can remember. I have seen and been around plenty of cookers that have the upper intake and also looked at their total design and and have always found reasons why they added the intake rather than fix the problem. If the cooker is properly built with intake amount, firebox to cooker chamber opening and exhaust the cooker will perform as needed. I will say this a lot this has to do with the owner learning good fire management. Often times that is all that is really needed.