20x36 Reverse Flow - First Time Build

[Kcd2016]

Thank you much for the tip, Gizmo! I've read in at least a couple other threads where those folks had better overall heat distribution with a center positioned stack. I remember one particular thread that a fella actually cut his stack off the top and moved it to center and it improved the performance of his cooker. What's your take on that?
Are you thinking that a stack placed below center creates something of a dead spot?

Honestly, I can do it either way - if it don't work right the first time it's no big deal for me to take a torch to it and try again.

[Rodcrafter]

What ever you decide to do with the stack be sure to only count the portion above the CC to calculate your length of stack to get the proper cubic inches of volume.


Making memories!

[Kcd2016]

Got my Rodcrafter inspired fire basket put together today:

[Big T]

Nice!!

[temurf]

That firebasket looks even better than the drawings. I like it a lot.

Are you planning to mount it a couple of inches above the botom of the firebox to allow the ash to build up without interfering with your air flow?

[Rodcrafter]

You're going to really like that


Making memories!

[SAFETYHARBORREDNECK]

I was thinking they would be about this proximity from jwsimpleville's build:


You still think that's too close to the fb? The thing is I was thinking casters wouldn't be great for going off roadin with this bad boy in the back yard.[/quote]

On this small of a build you could buy/make some fenders to act as a heat shield.
On my buddies 120 gal.RF hybrid we cut a 1/2 keg in half,lengthwise to act as a heat shield.
BTW-the top of the FB is a GREAT place to cook a pot of beans or whatnot while you're smoking.Might as well take advantage of the heat.
As for your smoke stack,personally I would raise it more towards the top of the CC to prevent "stale air".
All in all your lookin good so far.Good luck and keep us posted!

[jwsimpleville]

Yeah the radiant heat will be a problem, you'll have a fair bit of heat coming off the FB & pneumatic tyres don't like heat that much.

I was thinking they would be about this proximity from jwsimpleville's build:


You still think that's too close to the fb? The thing is I was thinking casters wouldn't be great for going off roadin with this bad boy in the back yard.

I've built several smokers with this very design and the casters work great for steering them through the grass and only seem to be sensitive to gravel. But then again not much rolls through gravel very easily.

Here is another one I built that has less spacing due to the larger cooler and firebox size, this was also a 20" sch 40 pipe. I haven't ever ran into heat problems as long as there's more then 6" of air space between the source of heat and the tires. My primary focus is having a comfortable height for the front shelf and typically that's somewhere around counter top height of 36" I've gone as much as 40" for a 6'4" tall customer that requested that it be taller.

[Kcd2016]

That firebasket looks even better than the drawings. I like it a lot.

Are you planning to mount it a couple of inches above the botom of the firebox to allow the ash to build up without interfering with your air flow?

Yes sir I'm going to put in some angles as slide rails for the firebasket at about 3 1/4" below the top plate, just enough so the rear plate of the fire basket clears the throat opening. I'll also rig up a slide stop to keep from pulling 45 lb of steel and fire down on my foot.

[temurf]

Awesome. This is gonna be one sweet pit.

[Squiggle]

Looks fantastic dude, very sweet design.

[Gizmo]

Higher stacks are more efficient overall and I think it helps the cooker's ability to operate...... I'm a huge fan of Center-feed/center-stack designs. They just seem better 'balanced' somehow - but it's mostly hunch work....

[Kcd2016]

Y'all convinced me, I'm moving the stack to the top edge of the cc.

Cut it to length:

[jwsimpleville]

Y'all convinced me, I'm moving the stack to the top edge of the cc.

Cut it to length:

So what is it that sold you on going with the top edge?

[Kcd2016]

So what is it that sold you on going with the top edge?

A few things, mainly I trust these guys here know the hell they're talking about! Anyone who's commented on the subject has suggested putting it at the top, no one has been in favor of leaving it at grate level. I did try and go back and find that thread where the guy originally installed his stack high and moved it to grate level and saw better performance but I just couldn't find the thread. I also did some googling and came across a thread on another forum where a guy was debating on custom ordering his Yoder with the stack at grate level. There was some explanation that essentially it's just more efficient to have the stack up high.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showt ... p?t=219092

[Rodcrafter]

That was a fun read, the boys on this site tend to disagree too on the subject. Pete made a wooden smoker with a clear front so we could see the way it really works. Where on youtube is that again Pete?

[Pete Mazz]

Still a work in progress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFnFl1R63w

[Kcd2016]

Wow that's a neat video, Pete. I guess it does look like the air/smoke flow just goes straight to the top with the middle (grate level) being relatively stagnant. Maybe that's just the right amount of flow? Have you experimented with moving the exhaust around?

[Pete Mazz]

I have it set up so I can control baffle plate gap, stack height and a diffuser at the BP gap. It's been one of my projects that I put aside to work on other projects I'll likely put aside.

[Kcd2016]

I got the door cut out, it's sprung... we'll see how bending it back goes.

[Big T]

I hate it when that happens but with a little work you should be able to get it back in shape.

[Kcd2016]

Got it bent back (mostly) I'm planning on using 2" x 1/8" strap for the outside of my door flange with some 1/8" nomex gasket, how *exact* do I need to get the lid back into shape?




I also got some other odds and ends done.

[Big T]

You've got it close enough, just don't forget to space the door for your gasket before you weld your hinges in place.

[jwsimpleville]

Yeah definitely don't forget to space the gap. Unless you just need additional welding practice. [emoji849]
I really like the design of those hinges


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[Rodcrafter]

Yeah


Making memories!