Vertical propane smoker hotter at the top

[wakeboarder141]

I built an upright propane smoker, and I am trying to figure out a way to even out the temps. It currently runs about 15 degrees hotter on the top rack as the bottom. Would some type of baffle plate placed below the bottom rack help even it out, or is there another generally accepted method to help this? Thanks.

[Pete Mazz]

Above my burner I first have a cast iron skillet for wood chunks then a water pan. I personally wouldn't worry about a 15 degree difference but not knowing how yours is set up I can't offer any more specific ideas or advice. Can you post a pic of the interior?

[wakeboarder141]

Mine is a homemade unit. Basically the same setup as yours, just a larger scale.

[Pete Mazz]

Nice!

The only change I might have made was adding a throat plate between the chambers. This would redirect the heat and smoke back into the middle of the smoker and would aid with drippings flowing into the pan. I don't know if it would help much with your heat differential tho.

[Rodcrafter]

I can't see the stack where is the outlet for the heat? I say that because if the outlet is not at the top the top will be hotter just because heat rises.

jm2cw

[wakeboarder141]

It hadn't been added yet in this picture. There is a piece of 3" square tubing in the top right corner for exhaust. I thought about having a perforated plate between the chambers, but I was concerned the smoke wouldn't flow up properly as my water pan is pretty close to the top of the cook chamber.