After using the smoker a few times and monitoring end to end temps with meat in it, it has become apparent that some tuning is necessary. Ideally what I would like is to be able to load up the smoker from end to end with ribs and not have to rotate food to keeps things cooking evenly. While I am optimistic, I am also realistic and realize that that may not be possible. My plan is to add a baffle and tuning plates and would like some feedback on the direction I am heading.
I have made a baffle template out of cardboard and an aluminum oven liner.
The top of the firebox opening is about 5-3/4" from the bottom of the chamber. The baffle starts above the opening and extends into the cook chamber about 10" at a 45 degree angle. The height of the end of the baffle is about 2-3/4" from the bottom of the chamber. Is this high enough or will it restrict the airflow too much?
If I put rails to hold up the tuning plates using the screws that hold the legs on and use plates of about 14" wide, it will put the tuning plate height at 3-1/2" from the bottom of the chamber.
I tried to shoot for about the middle of the firebox opening with the plate height.
With this configuration there will be about 30" side to side that the tuning plates will span. What would be a good plate to gap ratio? I figure I would want at least 3 plates and maybe 4. Once I determine the plate to gap relationship and how many plates I want to use, I can decide how wide to make the plates.
I don't have a welder or metal cutting tools (or skills) so as I move through the project, it will require many trips to the local welding shop. I would like get as much of your input as possible and hopefully get 'er pretty close then start fine tuning it.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Dave
I have made a baffle template out of cardboard and an aluminum oven liner.
The top of the firebox opening is about 5-3/4" from the bottom of the chamber. The baffle starts above the opening and extends into the cook chamber about 10" at a 45 degree angle. The height of the end of the baffle is about 2-3/4" from the bottom of the chamber. Is this high enough or will it restrict the airflow too much?
If I put rails to hold up the tuning plates using the screws that hold the legs on and use plates of about 14" wide, it will put the tuning plate height at 3-1/2" from the bottom of the chamber.
I tried to shoot for about the middle of the firebox opening with the plate height.
With this configuration there will be about 30" side to side that the tuning plates will span. What would be a good plate to gap ratio? I figure I would want at least 3 plates and maybe 4. Once I determine the plate to gap relationship and how many plates I want to use, I can decide how wide to make the plates.
I don't have a welder or metal cutting tools (or skills) so as I move through the project, it will require many trips to the local welding shop. I would like get as much of your input as possible and hopefully get 'er pretty close then start fine tuning it.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Dave