cooking today!

[ribwizzard]

I use the bottom vent when starting my fire, or I need a blast of hot air to make up heat if I leave it unattended too long,... or have the doors open way to long,.... or it rains, ....or dog pee's on it.....but once it gets to heat, I close it most of the way  and use the upper vent to maintain.

 

[ribwizzard]

I did not use the pit calculator on my air inlet openings, I knew that either vent would be close to correct size and that having two would allow me to get a little more air from the other one if needed.  My last smoke, I was using good size logs, and with the bottom vent completely shut off and the upper vent cracked open only 1/4 inch, I maintained 275 degrees adding only one log every two hrs. That was opening the cooking chamber a bunch as well.

 

[jarjarchef]

Thank you for the pics.

Amazing build!!!!!!!


Just so i understand the bottom vent. You do not use an ash pan? I see in other pics you have a diamond plate deck under the smoker and fire box.

Thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge. I appreciate it.

Jeramy

 

[thechuck]

Ribwizzard, great looking rig! I just joined the forums early this morning because I'm in the stages of my first build (sketched out and getting ready to put into plans and start)... which happens to look A LOT like yours but on a smaller scale. I posted in the Roll Call thread telling a little about myself and letting people know I'll be starting a thread probably on Monday about asking a few questions and some input on details of my build, which I hope you'll join in on since it's a similar shaped smoker and design (great minds must think alike, right?!).

 

[ribwizzard]

Jarjarchef:

In regards to the bottom vent and an ash pan,  by opening the bottom vent, I can allow some up the built up ash to fall out, there is a hole cut in the diamond plate on the trailer and a rack under the trailer to hold a half sheet baking pan that catches the ash so that it does not catch the ground on fire. I like this set up better becouse I do not have to open the firebox and pull out a hot ashpan to get rid of the ash. Especially when doing turkeys or brisket where you have the thing cooking for 14 hrs or better.

TheChuck;

Please take plenty of pics as you go and share them with us.

Thanks for the complements, Happy smoking.

 

[jarjarchef]

Ribwizzard,

Thank you for taking the time to answer my 100,000,000,000 questions. Like I told you before I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do as far as a look for my build. When I saw yours I was like there it is. It is compact and yet it is big!!!! So I am taking A LOT of notes to incorporate into my ideas. So when I can start again I have some good solid info to work with.

I like the air from below and across the top method. It makes too much since to not use it in some way.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Very nice smoker!



~Martin