275 gallon oil tank RF - planning stage

[nootay]

Hey guys!

Been reading the forum for a while.  Finally got an oil tank and I'm starting my plans.  This build is almost exactly what I am looking to do:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/164928/275-gallon-rf-flame-smoker-completed

I plan on using this calculator:

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

I have a few questions that the calculator or the above mentioned build doesn't answer:

1.  Why does the end of the RF plate need to be shaped like a half circle?

2.  How do I calculate how far in to the CC the RF plate needs to extend?

3.  How do I calculate how deep in to the CC the heat plate should be?

4.  How thick do the RF and heat plate need to be?

5.  I don't understand the purpose of a plenum.  How do you calculate the size?  Is the cutout on the inside of the CC the same size as the plenum?

6.  Instead of a flat RF plate, should it be slightly angled on both side towards the center for draining purposes?

Sorry for so many questions!!  Thanks for the help.

 

[akdutchguy]

Hopefully Dave Omack will be on shortly to answer your calculation questions. He is the resident expert on most things smoker. The round end helps the flow of smoke make the transition back across the meat with less friction. The gap at the end of the rf plate I believe should be as big as the opening from the fb.
Jason

 

[nootay]

Great!  Thanks for the info!