Straight Stackin', Reverse Flow or both?

[triker]

Planning my first smoker build. I have a 6ft. x 30in. air tank and a couple other smaller ones to play with.

SMOKER 001.jpg

• triker
• Jan 16, 2013

Might use the mid sized tank (brown colored) for a small vertical by itself and the white one for the reverse flow attached to the big air tank.

I want to end up with something like this

SMOKER.bmp

• triker
• Jan 16, 2013

Sorry for the crude sketch, Not to scale of course but you get the idea.

There will be a sliding diverter plate that will block the upper chamber for Reverse Flow in the side chamber or it will block the side tank(reverse flow) and allow Straight Stackin' and be adjustable in between. I'm thinking a large door for the meat chamber on the vertical stack with a fire door below it. The "ash tray" will slide out for cleaning with adjustable air vents in the front of it. I have most if not all materials, now to find the time. It's all still in the "what-if" stage of planning.

Any advise or comments appreciated.

 

[Dutch]

Well, I must say that design is about as different than anything else that's been purposed here in Smoker Design Central.  The only draw back that I can think of is finding the proper balance between the air intake/firebox size/exhaust stack size when switching between reverse flow and straight stacking.

Hopefully some of our master designers and fabricators can chime in with their .02 cents worth.

 

[sqwib]

Interesting indeed.
With that arsenal of tanks I would definitely go with a horizontal reverse flow using the 2 larger tanks. I would add the littler one as a warmer.

 

[triker]

SCWIB are you saying to use the big tank horizontally for reverse flow and the mid size as a firebox on one end? Where would the small one be as a warmer? Above the firebox?  Thank's for the input. I'm not committed to any spacific design yet. I also have a couple other tanks not pictured. Portable air compressor tanks actually. Maybe 15 and 20 gallon size.

 

[sqwib]

Yes, above the firebox, look around for some other builds.

If you go horizontal, you wont have to worry about dripping from one shelf to the next.

Wold be great for jerky making and keeping stuff warm, stews chilis beans, and whatever else can fit.

 

[triker]

Yes, I can see the wisdom in that idea. So let's say I go this way. I would have enough room for 2 layers of grills. To avoid dripping  I could stagger the meats top to bottom. Hmmm..... me thinks this is sound wisdom.  Easier to transport with lower center of gravity (I plan to trailer it), more grill area at the same heat level, warming box for jerky!!!!!!!!  I loves my Venison Jerky. I'm liking this more and more even as I type this. Also, this being my first smoker build I should keep it simple. If my hair-brained idea didn't work out it would be a lot of effort and material wasted and the horizontal is a proven concept. Thank you SQWIB and the others for your input. Now to research some details.

Triker.

 

[sqwib]

Good luck and keep us posted

 

[triker]

OK........Now that I'm rethinking this, I have one question (so far). On a reverse flow, horizontal, does the exhaust stack extend down into the meat chamber to the lowest level of meat or just flush with the top. I'm thinking flush to avoid stale smoke accumulation at the top of the chamber but I'm not sure so I'm askin. I'm working on a different design for this. I'll try to get a sketch up later and get some opinions.

Triker. 

 

[sqwib]

Mixed reviews on that.
I have mine extend a couple inches, my thoughts on this was I could always extend the stack later if needed. So I use a can that can slide up and down.
Played with it a few times but don't think it matters on a smoker my size

 

[triker]

The pic's I've viewed show both ways. I'm going horizontal  RF. I'll use the big air tank and two steel box's that I have. Box's are 18" wide x 18" tall x 20" deep with hinged doors. Used to be rope box's for a 40ft. trailer.  I'm thinking one at each end. One for fire, inserted into the tank approx. 4in. with cutout for smoke and the other  saddled for the tank to sit in. This will be storage while providing support for the other end of the tank. Horizontal tank will be divided with solid wall and above fire box will be warming chamber. I'll try to work up a sketch later. My brain is tired from thinking about all the things I have to work with and how to build this thing.