Oversized firefox?

[roushy]

Morning experts!  In the process of building a reverse flow smoker.  My original design was to have a horizontal 55 gallon barrel to a verticle 35 gallon barrel but I am thinking about using the verticle as a warmer and not piping it to the horiztonal barrel.  My firebox is already built and mounted to the main chamber and its 19x20x19.  If I remove 35 gallons from the cooking capacity I will have an oversized firebox by around 50% more firebox than what is needed.  How will that affect the burning process and what (if anything) can I do to help.    I guess worst case I can go back to my original design.

PS - Chimney is 4" x 30".

~ Roushy

 

[ribwizzard]

Just build a smaller fire, that size firebox on a 55 gallon drum should be fine,

 

[roushy]

Sounds good.  I was concerned that the additional space would mean it would not retain heat well.  The firefox is 3/8" steel so once that gets hot it should stay hot for a while... I hope.

 

[ribwizzard]

oh yeah, should be just fine, got any pics?

 

[roushy]

I will soon.  Have some more grinding and I want to get the rest welded up.  I'll post pictures of the unpainted project soon.