Ideal diameter for a cooking chamber?

[Ramblin2Day]

This may be a nonsense question but if there was a real answer, I thought I'd like to know. Is there an ideal diameter for the cooking chamber of a backyard offset smoker? I am thinking that to be able to reach the back, i probably do not want it more than 30" (plus when you roll a 30" diameter into a circle it take 94.2" of metal so can be made out of one 4x8 sheet). I am also thinking you want it large enough so the height of the available cooking area (= the radius = 15" in the above case) is high enough to easily get hands into the cooking area to move food around so that means max it out so 30" is good. But that is all hypothetical thinking. is there a diameter that would optimize airflow and be best for the cooking chamber?

 

[reynys]

Your thinking about a 30" diameter for the cooking chamber of a backyard offset smoker is quite practical. Generally, a diameter of around 24" to 30" is ideal for a backyard smoker. This range balances ease of access with effective heat distribution. A 30" diameter is large enough to provide ample cooking space while still being manageable for reaching into the chamber. For airflow optimization, ensure that the diameter allows for good air circulation, which helps maintain consistent temperatures and even cooking. Your approach is solid; just make sure to include proper airflow and ventilation.

 

[Ramblin2Day]

Your thinking about a 30" diameter for the cooking chamber of a backyard offset smoker is quite practical. Generally, a diameter of around 24" to 30" is ideal for a backyard smoker. This range balances ease of access with effective heat distribution. A 30" diameter is large enough to provide ample cooking space while still being manageable for reaching into the chamber. For airflow optimization, ensure that the diameter allows for good air circulation, which helps maintain consistent temperatures and even cooking. Your approach is solid; just make sure to include proper airflow and ventilation.

Thank you for the feedback; now on to the real work ... :-)

 

[DougE]

I don't think there is an ideal cooking chamber diameter. It's more like a ratio between cooking chamber volume and the firebox being big enough to support the volume of the cook chamber.

 

[Ramblin2Day]

I don't think there is an ideal cooking chamber diameter. It's more like a ratio between cooking chamber volume and the firebox being big enough to support the volume of the cook chamber.

Yes, I am using the calculators to make sure I have good ratios and adding adjustable baffles to allow fine tuning