My first smoker build

[Dirtytires]

My guess is the file is too big.....check out the tutorial on the main page, it may help.

[Rodcrafter]

Yep, and there is a short cut to that instruction on Frank Cox's signature


Making memories.

[AussieSmoker84]

With the RF plate do you just have it level or run it up hill away from the firebox so heat and smoke can move a bit more easily?
I'm about to cut out the door and intakes on the firebox, any opinions on placement for them? My box is 15x13x15

[TexasSmoke]

All the advice I've received has been against slanting the plate. I can only assume once the platform is equally heated the plate to meat distance supersedes grease drainage

[TexasSmoke]

My intake is at 100% on one side below the lob basket. I'm still debating on whether to put a smaller intake on the door more or less to help push/direct smoke to the CC

On pick size Google online jpeg optomizer

[Rodcrafter]

Yep, level the plate heat doesn't need help rising. As for the grease there really isn't that much. I like air intakes on at least 2 sides, because you never know what direction the wind will blow.


Making memories.

[AussieSmoker84]

I'm going with 1inch round intake holes and its says I need 11 of them, so I was thinking 6 down the bottom at fire level and 5 up the top opposite the throat cut in the tank. Hoping that'll help push the heat and smoke through.

[TexasSmoke]

Just a small thought 11 1" holes lot of fabrication. Why not same surface area less holes in same location?

[AussieSmoker84]

Yeah it is a bit, I guess I didn't know how far up I can put my fire try from the bottom of the box. Would 2-3 inch be ok? Or should I go more?

[AussieSmoker84]

If I can get the fire tray up a bit I'll put some meatier sized holes in instead of keeping it low with smaller holes

[Big T]

I would keep the intake holes low on the FB, if you get them too high it can suck cold air into the CC and lower your temps.

[AussieSmoker84]

Alright, I've got a hole saw that's 32mm=1.26inches and the calculator says I'll need 7 intakes.
I'm now thinking 5 as low as possible and 2 in the upper middle area, what do you think? Should also add that the firebox door and intakes will be on the end, inline with the cook chamber.

[Big T]

As long as the air has to go through the fire you should be good. I agree with RC on having intakes on more than one side so I can adjust them depending on wind direction. I prefer to have them flow inline with the CC but if you get a strong wind blowing in the intakes it can really be a pain to maintain a constant temp. jm2c

[AussieSmoker84]

Yeah fair call, maybe I'll go 4 on the side and 3 on the end with the door with them all being at or below fire level. Cheers guys.
Should I keep the fire tray 2-3 inches from the base of the firebox?

[Rodcrafter]

I would say that is a good elevation for the fire rack or basket. I like putting an ash pan under it about 2" tall so that would be great.

[AussieSmoker84]

I would say that is a good elevation for the fire rack or basket. I like putting an ash pan under it about 2" tall so that would be great.

How do you do your ash pan? I might try and put one in

[AussieSmoker84]

I've marked out my intakes, have them on two different sides and had a thought just as I was about to cut them out.
All the intakes are below the fire tray and I started to think that I should supply the fire with air at or just above fire level.
Or am I over thinking it? Didn't want the wood on top smoulder to much

[Rodcrafter]

This is my Backyard cooker, with fire basket and ash pan;



I guess I never have taken a picture of my trailer rig's ash pan. But it did happen. so I better get a picture.

[AussieSmoker84]

Where have you got your air intakes on your firebox?

[forty_creek]

My cooker called for 5.2 intakes. I put 4 on the FB door which are direct flow to the CC. I put 2 on each side so I could be versatile with the wind. So I have 8 total.
Height wise they are located so the lowest part of the intake will allow air underneath the fire rack.
Mine are square.
The rule of thumb I've learned on this site is that to high you can lose fresh air over the fire into your CC. Therefore your temps are going fluctuate.
RC explained the whole theory to me like this. "Picture your cooker upside down now picture water running thru it" that's your air flow pattern.
IMO you really can't have to many intakes. You can always close them.
jm2cw


Drankin, Smokin and Dreamin

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rodcrafter]

On this one they are only on both sides. I didn't put any on the door. But I do agree lowest is best and you can't have too many as long as they really will close.



Making memories.

[AussieSmoker84]

As I was I bed I was thinking I can put more intakes on, just have them shut. At least that way I can play around with air flow and see what works. The smoker builder calculator is for RF smokers yes? Just looking at my throat cutout and it looks smal comparedl to what I've seen on other people builds.

[AussieSmoker84]

I've been informed elsewhere that my cut out height should be about 3.5 inches, if that's right my 2.6inch cut is way off. Did I stuff up in the calculator?

[Pete Mazz]

I've been informed elsewhere that my cut out height should be about 3.5 inches, if that's right my 2.6inch cut is way off. Did I stuff up in the calculator?

Where did you hear that? The calcs are proven to make good cookers so anyone telling you otherwise is blowing smoke (IMO, no pun intended ) So, you're fine. If the throats look larger on other builds it's probably due to the length of the CC being longer.

[Rodcrafter]

Look at the picture of my Backyard cooker, see how low the FB is in relation to the CC? That is an 20" diameter pipe CC, it works like a dream.