Added pic My first reverse flow smoker build

[irvin78787884]

Here’s my thoughts. In the exhaust plenum. Cut out the entire inside of the tape if u zoom in u should be able to see the lines drawn for the tops of the top and bottom grates.

 

[seenred]

Here’s my thoughts. In the exhaust plenum. Cut out the entire inside of the tape if u zoom in u should be able to see the lines drawn for the tops of the top and bottom grates.

Looks about right to me. Looks like the bottom edge of the collector (plenum) is just above the level of the bottom cooking grate? I'd say it doesn't need to be any lower than that.

Red

 

[seenred]

And actually, I'm not sure it needs to be that tall. There may be some formulas for that...but I don't know for sure where. The area and/or volume of the collector - what you're calling the plenum - is probably supposed to be a certain percentage of the CC volume...but again if there's a formula for that, I don't know what it is.

Maybe someone else will chime in.

Red

 

[irvin78787884]

Looks about right to me. Looks like the bottom edge of the collector (plenum) is just above the level of the bottom cooking grate? I'd say it doesn't need to be any lower than that.

Red

It’s 1&3/8” above the grate it’s the same above to top grate. Thanks kinda my thought.

And actually, I'm not sure it needs to be that tall. There may be some formulas for that...but I don't know for sure where. The area and/or volume of the collector - what you're calling the plenum - is probably supposed to be a certain percentage of the CC volume...but again if there's a formula for that, I don't know what it is.

Maybe someone else will chime in.

Red

I have no clue I really haven’t seen a formula there just a few different drawings I seen Dave do and a few other folks and idk if or what they are based off of.

 

[seenred]

It’s 1&3/8” above the grate it’s the same above to top grate. Thanks kinda my thought.

I have no clue I really haven’t seen a formula there just a few different drawings I seen Dave do and a few other folks and idk if or what they are based off of.

Yeah me neither. I know a guy who is a professional pit builder - if I get the chance I'll ask him.

Red

 

[irvin78787884]

Yeah me neither. I know a guy who is a professional pit builder - if I get the chance I'll ask him.

Red

That would be awesome thank you. In the mean time I will start prepping the pipe for the exhaust

 

[irvin78787884]

I seen this one in a build. I can’t seem to find the other that had 2 grates in it. I will keep looking.

 

[irvin78787884]

Yeah me neither. I know a guy who is a professional pit builder - if I get the chance I'll ask him.

Red

I found this one in Dave’s calculation thread about building one but now word as to dimensions. So this and the 2 pics I added a min ago is what I was going off of.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Mine is kinda like @daveomak drawing... Even with bottom grate.. Little above top grate... 45 degree angle on the bottom... I didn't mean for the 45 to go all the way to the top... It was suppose to look like Daves... But it still works...

 

[irvin78787884]

Mine is kinda like @daveomak drawing... Even with bottom grate.. Little above top grate... 45 degree angle on the bottom... I didn't mean for the 45 to go all the way to the top... It was suppose to look like Daves... But it still works...

View attachment 694511

Ok cool. Your collector/plentum isn’t huge like some I have seen. so it must not matter then?? Just a few inches bigger than the pipe on all sides and call it good? So like say 12” to 12.5” wide since I am using 8”ID which I just realized is 3/8” think I thought it was 1/4” wall. So it’s 8.75” wide total

 

[irvin78787884]

Mine is kinda like @daveomak drawing... Even with bottom grate.. Little above top grate... 45 degree angle on the bottom... I didn't mean for the 45 to go all the way to the top... It was suppose to look like Daves... But it still works...

View attachment 694511

I guess this is what I am kinda thinking then. What do u think????

 

[seenred]

Ok cool. Your collector/plentum isn’t huge like some I have seen. so it must not matter then?? Just a few inches bigger than the pipe on all sides and call it good? So like say 12” to 12.5” wide since I am using 8”ID which I just realized is 3/8” think I thought it was 1/4” wall. So it’s 8.75” wide total

Like Keith's, on the RF smoker I built, my collector was not huge - only slightly larger on the top than the stack...although I put the opening for mine slightly higher - closer to the upper rack that the lower one. And exactly the same shape as Keith's.

I should say - that design was not mine, but from a set of plans I got from the pit builder I was taking about earlier.

Here's a pic that shows where my smoke collector was in relation to the cooking racks:

I only built a fire in it twice before it was sold...but ran great and held pretty consistent temps across the CC. It's now owned by @Brokenhandle. He'd probably be happy to tell you how it performs if you asked.

Red

 

[irvin78787884]

Like Keith's, on the RF smoker I built, my collector was not huge - only slightly larger on the top than the stack...although I put the opening for mine slightly higher - closer to the upper rack that the lower one. And exactly the same shape as Keith's.

I should say - that design was not mine, but from a set of plans I got from the pit builder I was taking about earlier.

Here's a pic that shows where my smoke collector was in relation to the cooking racks:

View attachment 694513

I only built a fire in it twice before it was sold...but ran great and held pretty consistent temps across the CC. It's now owned by @Brokenhandle. He'd probably be happy to tell you how it performs if you asked.

Red

Ok
Sounds great I think I am going to model mine after both of yours. the basic shape will be the same. my measurements would make it 2” wider side to side than the pipe and the pipe will sit about 2.75” from the end of the tank and ride as little above the bottom grate and stop at the top. Like Keith’s. Unless u get ahold of your pit builder buddy and he says different. Thanks guys much appreciated.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Haven't used mine a whole lot so not sure if I can be of much help but I sure do like it!

Ryan

 

[irvin78787884]

Haven't used mine a whole lot so not sure if I can be of much help but I sure do like it!

Ryan

All good thanks if u like it then it works good even tho u haven’t used it a lot. Still a help.

 

[irvin78787884]

Well I got the collector fully built and welded in. The only real bummer it the bottom under the collector had a weird arch to it that left a big gap under it and was a pita to get both curves right . I unfortunately had to use smaller strips and make multiple weld passes to make it look ok. Remember I am no professional welder by any means so be nice lol. I am getting better from where I started tho. The first section of pipe is just sitting there for a test. The second section needs cleaned and prepared as close to bare metal as I can. I don’t want to have to do it later on the smoker. The other pic is the plates and hinges I made for the 2 sections of pipe to connect them and allow the top one to fold down. Once its folded I will have 10” of space under the pipe to top of CC. That should give me plenty of room to build the counter weight for the door. It will probably rarely be folded down but I made it this way just incase.

 

[seenred]

Well I got the collector fully built and welded in. The only real bummer it the bottom under the collector had a weird arch to it that left a big gap under it and was a pita to get both curves right . I unfortunately had to use smaller strips and make multiple weld passes to make it look ok. Remember I am no professional welder by any means so be nice lol. I am getting better from where I started tho. The first section of pipe is just sitting there for a test. The second section needs cleaned and prepared as close to bare metal as I can. I don’t want to have to do it later on the smoker. The other pic is the plates and hinges I made for the 2 sections of pipe to connect them and allow the top one to fold down. Once it’s ooks folded I will have 10” of space under the pipe to top of CC. That should give me plenty of room to build the counter weight for the door. It will probably rarely be folded down but I made it this way just incase.

Looks pretty good from here! I don’t see why that won’t work real good.

One more step down!

Red

 

[irvin78787884]

Looks pretty good from here! I don’t see why that won’t work real good.

One more step down!

Red

Thanks I sure hope so lol getting closer by the day. Actually starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[irvin78787884]

Test fit on the second part of the exhaust. Also once it was tacked in. I tested the folding operation worked really good and lined up better than expecting. lol Now to triple bead weld it and I get to practice my upside down welds. Yay!!! If it looks crappy I always have the eraser/grinder.

 

[seenred]

Test fit on the second part of the exhaust. Also once it was tacked in. I tested the folding operation worked really good and lined up better than expecting. lol Now to triple bead weld it and I get to practice my upside down welds. Yay!!! If it looks crappy I always have the eraser/grinder.

That folding stack looks like it turned out real nice - great job! And yeah - running overhead welds can definitely be a challenge for me too. I always try to run some practice beads on scrap first, in the same position, before laying a bead on a real work piece - which helps some.

Red