Big Baby Build Questions

[roy richardson]

I am building this bad boy and have a couple of questions.

For the exhaust chimneys, should they be 6" or can I use the smaller 4" and keep the smoke in longer?

Also, should I put the chimneys in the bottom half of the top or the upper part?

 

[noboundaries]

I really like that Big Baby design  I'm sure the builders will be along to answer your questions.  I'm curious too because my inclination would be to use the 4" and put the chimney in the bottom half to maximize smoke circulation and heat retention, plus stabilize temps better.  A high chimney exit would encourage flow through.   

 

[roy richardson]

that was my thought as well.  Dampers in the 4" and the good circulation pattern would go well with the two 6" dampers that control the flow from the firebox to the smoker surface.

 

[gary s]

One thing to keep in mind is you don't want the smoke staying inside the cook chamber to long, you want it to move through and out so you want have stale smoke and over smoke your meat. I run a reverse flow but keep my stack wide open during smokes

Gary S

 

[roy richardson]

pardon my ignorance, but what is a reverse flow?

 

[themule69]

A reverse flow is where the heat enters on one side and travels under a baffle plate in the bottom of the CC then comes back across the top of the food to exit on the same side as the FB

Happy smoken.

David

 

[noboundaries]

The advantage of a reverse flow compared to a flow thru offset (chimney opposite firebox) is more consistent heat and greater air mixing, preventing hot air from riding on top of cooler air in the cooking chamber.

You get the same advantages with the Big Baby and the added advantage of being able to create two separate temperature cooking zones if so desired.

 

[roy richardson]

I am contemplating building removable diffusers for when I want to have a cool(er) side.

 

[roy richardson]

we are close to having her done.  I'm getting excited

IMG_20140913_190537_876[1].jpg

• roy richardson
• Sep 13, 2014

 

[themule69]

Looks good so far. I see many years of great Q in your future.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[roy richardson]

IMG_20140913_195032_493[2].jpg

• roy richardson
• Sep 13, 2014

 

[themule69]

Happy smoken.

David

 

[roy richardson]

Here is the cooking rack for the Big Baby aka The Beast

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• roy richardson
• Sep 15, 2014