Question on Reverse Flow Plate thickness?

[gent]

Pardon me if I missed this as I did a quick search on the forum.

Is there some guideline to the thickness of the RF Plate?  The rest of my tank/firebox is 1/4 walls.  I assumed the RF plate did nothing more but help shuttle the smoke to the other end and provide some radiant heat/drip pan etc. But after some browsing someone posted use thicker RF plate for more mass.    I have a piece of sheetmetal but want to say it's pretty thin maybe 3/16.  

Any feedback on this department would be much appreciated.  (Doing this on a budget aka few dollars every few weeks paycheck, but want to do it right)

 

[solaryellow]

3/16 will work, but 1/4 would be better if you can afford it. Like you said, it provides more thermal mass. Too thin and your temps won't be even.

 

[boykjo]

Isnt your rf plate 3/8ths Joel.......Talk about thermo nuclear..I have a 3/8 rf plate planned for my build. Hopefully I will get to the build soon....one more payment on the cycle and I'll have some cash freed up to get started

Joe

 

[ribwizzard]

I went with 1/4 inch becouse thats what I had. I think 3/16 would be fine and save a lot of weight. My plate is 4ft x 2 ft and is HEAVY.

 

[gent]

thanks guys,  Just wanted to get some opinions before I dove in on that portion,.

 

[solaryellow]

Isnt your rf plate 3/8ths Joel.......Talk about thermo nuclear..I have a 3/8 rf plate planned for my build. Hopefully I will get to the build soon....one more payment on the cycle and I'll have some cash freed up to get started

Joe

It is either 3/8 or 5/16. I would have to go back to the build thread and look it up. Works great too. :biggrin:

Looking forward to seeing yours get done Joe!