Venting a smoker in a shed

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doogle

Newbie
Original poster
Dec 27, 2009
21
14


I'm finishing up my Smoke Shak and I'm undecided on how to vent the chimney. My two options are going straight up through the roof (green arrows) or running it along the ceiling out the front (red arrows). [see pictures] If I go through the roof, how far above the roof does it need to extend?

Anyone have experience or knowledge to share?

Thanks,

Doug
 
can't help you with specifics, but you want to avoid making it too long because it will take more to get a draft... i would go out the back and up above the highest point... even though you didn't mention that as an option because you can avoid cutting a hold and needing flashing and such... i would run it forward as a final option just because it seems like the longest run.. with wood stoves you likely want 2 feet above the highest point, but i'm not sure i'd get too bend out of shape being shy of that.
 
Yeah, had thought about going out the back. I may settle for the roof option. Glad you mentioned the 2 feet. I was guessing that number, but wasn't sure.
 
I cant remember the exact number for a roof  vent , but I want to say 18 " . You are trying to avoid a down draft coming over the high part of the roof . I'm not sure at what point the length of the vent affects the operation of the smoker itself . I think I would try going out the back wall with a larger diameter pipe . The larger pipe causes a lower pressure route for the smoke to seek , and keeps the original length of the factory stack .  Maybe .  Just thinkin  ,,,but some facts behind the thoughts  as well ..

Chop
 
 
can't help you with specifics, but you want to avoid making it too long because it will take more to get a draft... i would go out the back and up above the highest point... even though you didn't mention that as an option because you can avoid cutting a hold and needing flashing and such... i would run it forward as a final option just because it seems like the longest run.. with wood stoves you likely want 2 feet above the highest point, but i'm not sure i'd get too bend out of shape being shy of that.
I think you're on the right track. I would suggest an air gap around the smoker's stack, i.e. if the stack is 3", then it should go into a 4" duct. This will prevent the ducting from extending the length of the stack. Now I'm not sure if that is critical for a pellet smoker, but it would be for a normally aspirated wood burner. That sure will be nice to not only keep your smoker in tip-top shape but to be able to cook in the most inclement weather too.
 
I have a YS640 also and was looking around for the exact same set up for this winter. How do you like your shed? If you could post more picture when you get a chance, that would be great. Does your exhaust have a fan? Thanks. Lookin' good!
 
I've completed it this summer and I'm really liking it, especially in poor weather! . With my current venting situation, the smoke that comes from around the lid does linger a bit, but most goes through the chimney and vent. Right now my vent is passive, but I used 6" pipe and down the road I may add an inline fan down the road.

IMG_4905.jpg IMG_4906.jpg IMG_4907.jpg IMG_4908.jpg IMG_4909.jpg IMG_4910.jpg IMG_4911.jpg IMG_4912.jpg IMG_4913.jpg IMG_4914.jpg
 
Thank you. That looks great. Exactly what I was envisioning. I'm glad someone else had this idea as well... Everyone I brought this ideas up to thought it was overkill. I think it's a perfect way to protect your grill investment and have a winterized place to cook. Thanks again. Cheers
 
Wow that looks nice. Good job. I'm lucky that my Yoder 640 is setting inside a screened in patio so I just let the wind do what it does. Hope it works well for you. It appears you've done your research.
 
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Thank you. That looks great. Exactly what I was envisioning. I'm glad someone else had this idea as well... Everyone I brought this ideas up to thought it was overkill. I think it's a perfect way to protect your grill investment and have a winterized place to cook. Thanks again. Cheers

I can see the overkill comments...sound a bit like my wife. It's just so nice to have everything together and protected. Makes it a lot more comfortable to use, so I use it more!!
 
I can see the overkill comments...sound a bit like my wife. It's just so nice to have everything together and protected. Makes it a lot more comfortable to use, so I use it more!!

WOW. That is a great looking smoke shak. Would you be able to tell me what the dimensions are on it? Very interesting in building one now.. Thanks
 
WOW. That is a great looking smoke shak. Would you be able to tell me what the dimensions are on it? Very interesting in building one now.. Thanks

The base is 8' x 8'. The height is about 7.5' in the front and 6.5' in the back.
 
That's looking good doogie. It won't matter to you now but for the sake of others searching for info and finding this thread I'll chime in on chimney height. As a longtime builder in upstate NY the rule for most of the building inspectors/local codes I worked with was the "2 foot, 10 foot" rule. The chimney had to be 2 feet higher than any structure within 10' of the top of the flue.

Several years ago NY went off the deep end with statewide height requirements for freestanding wood fired boilers (AKA water stoves) but that wouldn't affect something like your installation.

Now what's for dinner?
 
Good looking smoke shack, I like that, We are toying with an outdoor kitchen through the walkout basement, Gives me some ideas.
 
I am building out a 10x16 shed now and this has given me some good ideas for the smoker. I will post some pics soon. Everyone keeps telling me mine is way past over kill. Pit Boss Austin XL, 36" Blackstone Griddle, Sink, Full size frig, Ice-O-Matic Ice Machine, AC/heat pump Mini Split.
 
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