Has anyone tried a similar design?

[smokestalker]

I ran across this site looking for parts.
I have a buddy looking to upgrade his smoker,
We ran across a food grade aluminum (steam box?)
Of some sort. Dimensions are roughly 5'H 2'W 3'D
We have an Iron burn box that fits decently well.
Originally we were going to insulate the exterior and just put a stack out the top but, I started thinking about baffling the top to keep heat in longer. Then this Idea came to me. I'm wondering if anyone has tried something like? Intake and exhaust are both bottom ported. Exhaust will rise above the box externally via tubing. The plates in the really rough drawing attached are a tall plate to force the air (smoke) to the top and tumble before shooting down the back side of the plate and out of the bottom ported exhaust.
The theory is if sized and baffled right we can keep the heat in longer, dissipating more internally and less externally. While having enough available airflow or draw to run a small fire box up to temp quickly and then regulating it relatively easily, with more efficiency than just spitting it all out the top. Think its worth a shot or has it been tried and flopped?
It seems y'all would have more experience than me. I know how to make them hot and efficient but holding low and smoke isn't exactly my wheel house. So it is kind of a combo of regular and reverse thinking for me. Any advice y'all might have, I'm sure I would be happy to hear it.
Thanks,

 

[normanaj]

The smoker builds forum here is a great place to take look and search for info.

Smoker Builds

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[gmc2003]

If I'm reading it correctly. I'm not sure how well the down-drafting concept will work. I think your gonna get a lot of stale smoke hanging around. At least without some type of mechanical fan to help move the smoke along.

Chris

 

[in. pred]

thats a rocket stove without a riser. the rise creates the push to shove exhaust out the bottom. no riser no shove. your not dealing with that much heat either in a smoker. i dont think it would run rite for ya.

now if you had the exhaust pipe in the flame it would get hot and draw your smoke through. go read up about rockets stoves at permies.com you have almost drawn up a "pocket rocket" stove.

 

[smokestalker]

Well, the burn box kind of kills that but, yeah the airflow could be similar. Nope, didn't draw the riser, figured it was better not to.

 

[smokestalker]

If I'm reading it correctly. I'm not sure how well the down-drafting concept will work. I think your gonna get a lot of stale smoke hanging around. At least without some type of mechanical fan to help move the smoke along.

Chris

So smoke hanging around too long, is not good? Maybe I shouldn't worry so much about trying to maximize its time in the box? That's what I was trying to balance is enough time in the box to release all the heat it could while keeping potential draw high.