Old Country Gravity Intake upgrade?

[HogJaw&PossumGrits]

Thinking about getting an old country gravity and making a couple mods that will cost very little but wondering what others think first.

First....either adding another 2 inch ball valve for a total of two intakes in the same area, or possibly upgrading the original single 2 inch ball valve to a 4 inch ball valve for the intake to double the airflow.

Also thinking about redoing the air entrance from the firebox to the cooking chamber by modifying those two tight 90 degree turns that the air has to make in such a tight space before exiting under the diffuser plate. I think I will make that a lot less harsh angle. Probably not 45 degree, but close. This will cause me to have to redo the bottom rack, but I will never use the bottom rack anyways.

Last I may install a larger diameter exhaust and make it a total of about 3 feet long.

I had one of these smokers before and made some amazing BBQ. I left it with a house we sold, and didn't buy a new one due to the poor airflow and the new price of them now that they have went up. However, we have moved again, and I just don't have room for a stick burner, and this gravity smoker was the closest cooker I've had to producing that stick burner flavor. I love my Big Joe, but the flavor is just not as good as the old country gravity in my opinion.

Just thought I would see what some of you guys think? I can get these changes doe by a friend for like a couple hundred bucks in material, and case of beer for labor.....So all in I would be in for like 2k cheaper than an Assassin 17 after you figure in shipping. Thought

 

[JIMSMOKES]

I'd add a pid controlled fan and let it roll.

 

[1MoreFord]

Going to a 4" intake will not double the size...............It will quadruple the size.
Pi x radius squared
3.14 x 1 x 1 = 3.14 sq/in
3.14 x 2 x 2 = 12.56
If you want to double the intake with only 1 valve, got to a 3" intake for 7.065 sq/in of area.

 

[bill1]

Airflow is related to how fast you're burning fuel. That's related to temperature. So are you wanting a hotter cook? That's pretty much all these mods will do. If that's what you want, I'd go slow and implement one idea at a time. Extending the exhaust chimney in height is where I'd start. Some rolled-and-seamed single-wall exhaust ducting is simple to add at various heights and can be un-done easily.