Fire box inlet damper modification ?s

[Jasonadams1979]

How's it going bbq brothers new to the forum and need some advice/expertise with my smoker I'm build. Got a set of plans from smokerbuilder.com for 20x48 reverse flow square 15x18 FB. I was tossing around an idea of building a different style door and moving the damper inlets from the sides of the FB to a larger single inlet to the door of the FB. The inlets are 2 x 5.75 one on either side of the FB. So my ? is would I just double the dimension for a larger single inlet damper? Not sure If this would affect the efficiency of the smoker in a negative way by doing this so any advice would be appreciated! Or I could stick to the plans that the pros made and just finish building the damn thing and make some bbq! LOL

[bluecatfish]

My advice is to stick to the plans. In my experience the two inlets work better especially in windy conditions. Jm2cw.

[temurf]

It might not negatively affect the efficiency, but the reasoning is that if you have intakes on both sides of the firebox, then you could close off one intake or the other depending on which way the wind is blowing. My patio sized reverse flow only has one intake, it's in the door. I did it that way only because I didn't know any better at the time.

If you decide to go with one intake, then yes you would double the dimensions to have the same amount of area for the intake.

Just make sure the top of the intake is at or lower than the the fire grate so the air is drawn through the fire.

[Big T]

[ajfoxy]

[Jasonadams1979]

Thanks for the welcomes and the advice guys! Makes complete sense to keep them on either side now that I think about it. Leaves you with better fire control options depending on wind airflow direction like y'all mentioned. I mean that's how my ol cheapo verticle works.....guess there's a reason I have newbie under my name lol. Anyways been reading the forum for the last few hrs reading about other builds and everyone seems to be quick to help others out! Digging the vibe already time for late night coffee and more researching haha. Hopefully by the weekend ill gets some pics posted of .y progress.....thanks again guys

[Pete Mazz]

[Rodcrafter]

Welcome to the crew!


Making memories!

[temurf]

Just make sure to post those pics.

[Welder10]

Welcome!

[Squiggle]