Grill on firebox

[Chriz]

More questions…..


Do you have an opinion on round or square FB?
I’m thinking of doing round and then square around that.
For a number of reasons.
- I like the round as the box for wood placement, coals also come down to the center.
- round feels better for fire……based on absolutely no facts, hahaha
- gives me some isolation for easier fire management
- provides option of building grill on top.
- kind a looks cool


Any of you have a grill on top?
Seems easy for reverse searing. I love to do that.
Any other ideas on that?

Curious for your insights

[Big T]

Round vs square FB, there aren't any differences in performance if built correctly. A square FB is easier to install intakes, fire basket, and ash pan a round FB saves some welding time. You don't want your fire resting on the floor of the FB regardless of the shape of the FB, you need a basket or simple grate. You also need the intakes as low as possible on the FB, either at or below grate level. This allows the air to travel through the fire which helps in a couple of ways 1) it allows for better combustion and a smoker requires a clean burning fire. 2) It forces the incoming air through the coal bed so that all air entering the CC has been heated. There are some guys that try to make a grill on top of the FB but in my opinion it usually causes more issues with trying to seal the top of the FB when you aren't grilling. I believe that most guys on the forum would agree that it's better to build a separate unit for grilling.

[Chriz]

Thanks, I currently have 2 grill grates that vorm a V in my round FB. Allows for good airflow around the fire.
Think I’ll stick with that.
Never used an ash try before, seen some do it.
Matbe easier to dump hot coals in the tray and then insert the tray in the FB to start it up?

Any opinion on the isolation?

For the grill on top I meant somehting like what this guy built.

https://youtu.be/8MkpK_0rnsw

[dacolson]

Hey Chriz, I love Chuds BBQ. Bradley Robinson does some cool work with the direct fire pits. And he’s pretty funny. I’ll be doing the confit chicken thighs he cooks soon. I like his design with that grill he builds on top of the FB. At a bit of a crossroads myself on the next pit. It will be a round FB. 2 things FB related are on my mind.
1. Boxing it in and insulating. Keep thinking about how clean the insulated box runs on a the last pit I built. Have to really close down the vents to get any smoke on the meat.
2. Top of box grill like Chuds - no opening to the FB, runs off coals added to a coal grate on top of the pit. Maybe a small Santa Maria? Lol. Hogaboomer’s got me really noodling on that.

Regardless of the options, the interior of the FB will be set up to direct air under and through the coal bed. Big T hits all the points. I’ve got a couple with V-shaped log racks and they run like a champ. Not sure the V will be necessary in the round FB but it’s likely I will be building another. My next config will be messing around with internal baffles in the FB to restrict/direct air travel under the coal bed.

Very interested in seeing your build progress.

[Chriz]

I’m also a bit worried the insulated firebox will run to clean of a fire.
Would that also apply to just air insulated?
Then maybe I won’t box it in but just build a square FB

I have a round FB now and still like the V shape, fire runs better, sometimes to good even……

Any ideas you can share with baffles you are thinking of?

I already have your throat baffle drawn in[emoji1377][emoji56]

[dacolson]

Frank Cox did a build early on - LouAnne - https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... n&start=50
Page 3 about halfway down Frank has some pics of how they set up the air baffles. Something along these lines but for a round FB.

[dacolson]

And if you are using my throat baffle design, I would extend the lip on the front up about 6” above grate level. Even as much as it redirects, there’s still a pretty good hotspot right in front of it. The added lip helped a bit.

[Chriz]

Interesting, thanks.
Straight up or diagonal following the line of the baffle?

[Chriz]

Frank Cox did a build early on - LouAnne - https://smokerbuilder.com/forums/viewto ... n&start=50
Page 3 about halfway down Frank has some pics of how they set up the air baffles. Something along these lines but for a round FB.

Dang…….that’s one big smoker[emoji2962]

Do you mean this?
Open floor?

[dacolson]

Yup. Vent down low then the fire grate is fully enclosed around the sides to force air up through the coals.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chriz]

That’s going into the design, like it!

Now to think of an easy way to clean out the ash from the bottom.

[Chriz]

I’m thinking to put opening on side and front so depending on the wind you can choose which to open. Any thoughts on that?

[dacolson]

Interesting, thanks.
Straight up or diagonal following the line of the baffle?

Line of the baffle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dacolson]

I’m thinking to put opening on side and front so depending on the wind you can choose which to open. Any thoughts on that?

I’ve been putting my vents on the sides opposite each other. Depending on wind I shut one or the other down. Or run both semi-closed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk