Size matters...right?

[Ads1080]

Hello.

Please could anyone help me out with my smoker that ive recently finished. Im now thinking my smoke stack is to long and the CC is collecting too much smoke?

Currently my smoke stack is 4" dia x 39" length. Is this to long or what should it be?

The CC is a 42"x14.5" propane tank (biggest i could get in the UK) FB is 19"x14.5.

FB to CC opening is 9" x 3.5"
FB air intake is 7" x 3.5"

Many thanks for any help. I appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks
Adam

 

[daveomak]

What is your smoker doing or not doing, that makes you think there's a problem...

 

[Ads1080]

Im not really certain, this is all new to me. Ive only smoked one pork shoulder in it so far using well seasoned oak and it tasted bad, really thick smoke taste. I did struggle to maintain a completely clean fire with thin blue smoke but also it wasnt billowing thick white smoke either.
I first thought longer the better but now after running a few calculators and searching through threads im totally lost.

 

[Ads1080]

Would it be beneficial if i chopped 15"off and shortened it to two feet long which would still keep the stack just above my eye level so any smoke exiting wont be smacking me right in the face?

Thanks for any help
Adam

 

[daveomak]

Sounds like an upper air inlet will solve most of your problems....

 

[Ads1080]

What will an additional upper air inlet do?

Thanks for your help
Adam

 

[daveomak]

It will move heat from the FB to the CC and the additional fresh air will help consume the creosote... It will allow for even temps across the cooking grate...
It does take some time to learn the adjustments.. I suggest the hole directly across from the CC opening...
The lower opening adjust air to the fire to adjust the primary heat...

 

[AllTuckerdOut]

From what I have researched a longer stack will pull air up into the stack BUT it will cool down as it gets to the top of the stack this that air will become heavier and not escape the stack.

I would suggest what daveomak said about the vent across the firebox cook chamber opening.

You could also try cutting a inch off the stack at a time and see if it draws a bit better (that is if it really is too long). From what I am seeing on feldons calculator it should be about 16.37" above the cook chamber for your 4" stack. From daveomak numbers the stack should be 12.1" above the cook chamber. I would bet that the stack is too long. If it were me, so take this for what you will, I would cut that stack to about 20" above the cook chamber to see if it does any better. You could always weld it back together if need be..

Just my $0.02