Newbie 80 gal reverse flow build

[pettybilt]

IMG_20140318_161937.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 20, 2014

Ok, for here go nothing.. With you guys help I decided to go with the 80 gal tank.
I probably jumped the gun a little by cutting the door first. I couldn't stand, I had to cut something or else I wasn't going to sleep.
Here's were I'm at so far.
I got the door cut and the hinges on, and also cut off the legs and compressor mount.
I'm ready to cut the firebox opening.
Pit calculator says 54 sq in opening to cc. If I laid this out correctly I should come up 6" to make my horizontal cut on the tank, do that sound correct for a 24 diameter tank?
Thanks guys

IMG_20140319_164301.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 20, 2014

 

[lendecatural]

http://www.1728.org/circsect.htm

I'm showing that 6" yields 88 sq-in, but that will allow you to put in a baffle plate with 1" gap and still keep you over the required 54 sq-in opening area. Double check this calculation, I'm still getting my morning coffee! 

 

[pettybilt]

I laid this out on graph paper and come up with a little over 60 sq in. Maybe I'm doing something wrong

IMG_20140320_084802.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 20, 2014

 

[lendecatural]

I may be reading your graph incorrectly, but it looks like you counted up 5" and not the 6" you posted above. That could account for the difference I saw with I plugged the numbers into the calculator.

 

[pettybilt]

Yeah I believe your right.. So going 6" up and using the drop as an adjustable damper, is that the right way to do it?
If I go up 6 that will put my lower cooking grate about 6" above the reverse flow plate. Will that be okay?
Thanks for the help

 

[lendecatural]

Take a look at Rib's excellent post on reverse flow. A baffle plate located at A in the picture is what I was talking about. It will help to even out the heat on the fire box end of the cook chamber by keeping the worst of the heat from hitting the RF plate. You should be fine with 6" above the RF plate putting your racks on the CC center line.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/144092/reverse-flow-theory

 

[alaska]

Welcome to the forum. I understand not being able to sleep since I went through the same thing with I started my build. Im also using an 80gal air tank. Keep posting photos - Jerome

 

[pettybilt]

Got some done after work on the smoker. With steel i had my firebox worked out to be 21x23x14. I tacked 4 sides together, seems kinda long .My cut in the cc is 21 wide .i had plate that was 23 so i just went with it. 



I was wanting to put my door to the firebox on  the same side as the door  to the cc. I noticed most people put them on the end, does it matter?  



Does this look funny? 





Thanks, Doug 

IMG_20140320_161015.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 20, 2014

IMG_20140320_161225.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 20, 2014

 

[ribwizzard]

STOP!! Don't weld another bead until you stand that firebox up on end!!!

 

[pettybilt]

Ok, will do. It's just hanging there. I was hoping someone would say something.. That was fast. Lol
It looked funny to me. Just wasn't sure.. Would have rather had the box more semectrical, but this is a buget build. Just trying to use what I have to work the best

 

[ribwizzard]

No, I think the firebox will look good, you just need to stand it up. Most people make the firebox too short and the fire can't breath good, ..you stand that thing up and it's going to be just about perfect. I get what your saying about wanting the door to be to the front, but I think it's going to be too narrow for that. I'd just go ahead and put it to the end.

 

[pettybilt]

Well thanks for the help. Really appreciate it.
Doug

 

[pettybilt]

Got a little done this weekend, starting to look like something. Firebox about done, did a burnout. Now i need to get the reverse flow plate in and a drain. Hopefully it want be long before I can do a trail run.


.

IMG_20140321_142404.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 23, 2014

IMG_20140321_154015.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 23, 2014

IMG_20140322_141658.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 23, 2014

IMG_20140322_143208.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 23, 2014

IMG_20140323_103447.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 23, 2014

 

[pettybilt]

With some help of some friends i got a lot done on the smoker this weekend. Scored an exhaust pipe from the scrapyard for free. I robbed the axle and tires off a junk mortar mixer for free, turned out to be a good width. Had  the wire mesh in the shop, not expanded metal, but i kinda like it better. Its different.

IMG_20140326_184607.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140326_184751.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140327_184433.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140327_184438.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140329_123557.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140330_111450.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140330_111454.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140330_125054.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140330_125255.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140330_130158.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140330_164141.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

IMG_20140330_164204.jpg

• pettybilt
• Mar 30, 2014

 

[pettybilt]

IMG_20140405_072737.jpg

• pettybilt
• Apr 5, 2014

Test run on schedule. All systems are go. An 8lb butt as the test subject. Hope for the best.

 

[gary s]

Good luck. keep us posted 

Gary S