Howdy and a question

[Mac]

Howdy, I am new to the site and smoker building. I have a small fab shop and was hired to build a RF smoker. I have been skimming over the threads here and noticed people asking for ya'll to check their numbers. My question is how do you arrive at these calculations? I'm guessing firebox size, baffle plate placement, vents and smoke stack size and placement all depend on the size/shape of the tank. Is there a standard formula for figuring all this? I didn't realize there was so much to building a smoker but this looks like the place to find the answers.

[Gizmo]

Look on the main board page for the Pit Calculator.
From there you can enter your cook chamber size and begin to calculate your cooker from there…..

[Rodcrafter]

and Welcome

[SmokinFF]

and ya, what they said.

[Mac]

Awesome. For the tank volume on the calculator what is the unit of measure? Is it gallons or cubic feet?

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Welcome, yes in gallons

[Big T]

[Puff]

My thinking is : we'd like to see what the progress looks like with pictures

AND,

[Rev.Mike]

[The Czar]

Welcome


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[bluecatfish]

And ditto on the pictures!

[Norcalputput]

Welcome


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[Mac]

Thank y'all for the warm welcome. I'll post pictures as I go along. I'm starting with a 60 gal. Air compressor tank but I'm going to enlarge it. This is going to be a trailer mounted smoker.

[Mac]

Is there somewhere that explains what the calculations mean? For example what is the count of intake?

[Rodcrafter]

The count of intakes, mean how many openings into the firebox the builder is going to use to feed the fire air. There is a list of definitions, I'll have to post it from my computer.


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[Big T]

Here's a link to some of the terms used on the site viewtopic.php?f=70&t=2649 if there's something you can't figure out just ask and someone will help you out.

[Mo Smoke]

I couldn't calculate the actual volume of my tank in gallons, at least not accurately. It was an old propane tank and I could only guess. What I did was measure my tank length from end to end, and the diameter, using a couple of drywall squares and a framing square. Then I put those length and diameter dimensions into the calculator under the cylinder category. You can use the information the calculator gives you to estimate the volume in gallons if you end up using a propane tank or compressor. But if you have a cylinder type tank, rectangle or square, then you don't have to make any adjustments for accuracy, the numbers will be dead on. It will walk you thru pretty much every number you need. Welcome aboard. Can't wait to see you showcase your fabricating skills.

[Pete Mazz]

Count of intakes is sort of like the FB size. You have to adjust the intake size to get to the number of intakes you intend to have. Eg: If you entered a 2" x 3" intake, it might tell you that you'll need 3 of that size. Increase the intake size and eventually you'll get to the number of intakes you want to use. Rule of thumb seems to be to make the intakes larger than needed as they can always be closed off.