About the Water

[jabbo]

Hey guys.  I am planning my first RF build and was thinking of using the convection plate as a water pan.  This should help even out the heat even better.  The question is about the angle it will need to be at for drainage.  Too much and I'm afraid it will interfere with the heat and smoke flow, while too little will not drain well.  Any thoughts on this would be great.

 

[daveomak]

Kevin, evening and welcome to the forum....  Think about building it level to the grates and everything else.....  Lower or raise the smoker to drain the RF plate using the tongue jack......  Dave

 

[jabbo]

That is actually what I was thinking at first, but after seeing a few of the others that were slanted slightly, I thought there might be a specific reason.  Thanks for the advise.  I am still in the early planning phase and have several questions, mostly about dimensions of racks and such.  I hope to have this project done by late spring, though.

 

[oldschoolbbq]

As Dave said, lower the tongue,or you could build a slight declination in you legs . I have a slight "V" in the plate in my N.B. and all the stuff goes there and into a bucket. Works like a charm

.

Just sayin',

Stan

 

[ribwizzard]

I believe a slight declination toward the opposite end from the firebox helps distribute the heat evenly along the bottom of the reverse flow plate, this will also allow the drain to be at that end as well, when you do not want to use water, the drain can be open during the cooking cycle and excess grease/fat can drain off.

Your only talking 1" slope per 4' of plate, so effect on airflow should be mininum, but those are the two fundimentals of the reverse flow design that to me, make it an appealing design.

A good place to see an example and pics of a well designed reverse flow is to look at the Meadow Creek smokers sight, brose through the gallery of thier smoker's and you will see an awsome design for the reverse flow drain pan.

Good luck, and post some pics as you build.

 

[jabbo]

Thanks guys.  Ribwizzard, I have viewed Meadow Creek's smokers before.  That is what actually turned me on to RF in the first place.  I have been almost obsessed ever since.  I must not have paid very close attention the first time, though, because I went back yesterday and got a lot more out of it.  They do really good work.  I just wish I could afford one of theirs.

 

[ribwizzard]

Take your time , no shortcuts or make due with 2nd best materials, and you can build one just as good or better than theirs!  Thats the thing about building something, somebody can always come along and take your ideal and make it better!!

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Jabbo, I made mine removable so I could get the trash out of the bottom. I took a box and made a pattern of it , took it to a shop and cut it out went home and ground to fit real close and compleatly covered my FB opening(you could bolt yours,however I just layed it in and it works great).

I couldn't afford the 1/4" plate I wanted so I went to the Scrap Yard and found a piece of SS 1/4" for $5.

I've got some Pic on photoshop  I'll try to load...

The Mod made my NB a great little Smoker

Have fun and...

 

[oldschoolbbq]

bbq shots 003.JPG

• oldschoolbbq
• Oct 22, 2012

 not a real good shot ,but how I placed it in the Smoke Chamber.

Just an idea...

 

[jabbo]

Thanks guys.  I am planning on building my own.  My main objective is to build a full catering trailer with dual 500 gallon RF smokers, matching hot grills, 2 cabinet fridges with prep tables on top, and a 4 tub sink.  Of course I will work up to that gradually.  In fact, just yesterday I found out that my own mother still has a 125 gallon propane tank from many years ago.  I don't know how I have missed it so many times and for so many years.  Naturally, she said I could have it, so I will be starting my first RF build sooner than I thought.  It should make a great smoker for family events and holidays.  I can't wait.