Cant get the heat

[joesmokes]

Hello all ive recently built my own smoker for the first time. Im having some issues with it though.. i cant tell weather my chimney is too small, fire box is too small or weather i just have it all completely wrong and need to start again?!
Ive got it upto 100 degrees but simply cant get it any hotter.. before i start again with it or i start cutting and drilling more wholes for air circulation can anyone give me any ideas or what to do please?

Thanks Joe

 

[gmc2003]

daveomak tx smoker

Dave is a knowledgeable builder on site, and I'm pretty sure Robert has built or has a smoker similar to yours. Maybe one will chime in and help ya out.

...and welcome to the forums.

Chris

 

[SmokinEdge]

For sure a plenum and minimum of 4” stack to start but here is the calculator for working all the details out.

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t...eady-to-use-rev5-6-19-15.172425/#post_1264161

 

[daveomak]

Start with a 3" exhaust with a 90 deg. sweep elbow... and make it about 24-36" tall above the cook chamber....
How to connect the exhaust to the smoker....

 

[xbubblehead]

Why did you put the stack directly above the fire box?

 

[joesmokes]

daveomak tx smoker

Dave is a knowledgeable builder on site, and I'm pretty sure Robert has built or has a smoker similar to yours. Maybe one will chime in and help ya out.

...and welcome to the forums.

Chris

Thank you Chris
Very new to all this but also very keen to learn thank you for the help

Joe

 

[joesmokes]

Why did you put the stack directly above the fire box?

Reverse offset design. Like i said the first one ive made so far.

 

[joesmokes]

Start with a 3" exhaust with a 90 deg. sweep elbow... and make it about 24-36" tall above the cook chamber....
How to connect the exhaust to the smoker....

View attachment 633399



View attachment 633400

Thank you dave ill get rid of that stack then and start again with it. Much appreciated for the advice

Joe

 

[joesmokes]

For sure a plenum and minimum of 4” stack to start but here is the calculator for working all the details out.

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t...eady-to-use-rev5-6-19-15.172425/#post_1264161

Thanks for the reply, ive tried this calculator out already and to be honest i couldn’t understand it. Hense why im asking for further help to understand what im doing wrong or what the problem is. Ill try the bigger stack and try again from there.
Thank you for the help
Joe

 

[daveomak]

Check the distance at the end of the reverse flow plate.. Without calculating it, I think 3" would be adequate...

 

[SmokinEdge]

Also interested in a picture of your intake on the fire box.

 

[joesmokes]

Also interested in a picture of your intake on the fire box.

I havnt got a picture of my intake at the moment as im away but its roughly the size of the palm of your hand. Then the intake between fire box and in to the cook chamber is roughly 14 inch x 4 inch an oval shape.

 

[joesmokes]

Check the distance at the end of the reverse flow plate.. Without calculating it, I think 3" would be adequate...

The distance between the reverse flow plate and the end is 5 maybe 6 inches

 

[bellarozes]

Check the heater? Is the pilot light on? It's unlikely to be an issue with the thermostat if the AC is still working and you've but needed with the wiring.

Kodi nox​

 

[JckDanls 07]

Also the firebox is looking a little small...

If you can give us the dimensions of the barrel (cook chamber)... We can run them through the calculator and help ya out ...

Also interested in a picture of your intake on the fire box.

This too ^^^

 

[joesmokes]

Ive changed the stack and put 3.5inch tube on with 24 inch of length on there. That has made a huge difference i can now get the cook chamber to temperature and im ready to cook! Thanks all for your comments advice and tips. It has all worked, i have now got a fully working smoker that i can regulate the heat with. I can get more heat in it than the picture shows also, i just havnt got a picture of it at the higher temp.