good looking design...
One thing to consider is placing rails in the cabinet for grates every 3.5 inches while you are building it.
Rails are very difficult to add later but don't cost that much when you're doing the initial build.
This allows you to hit 7 inch spacing -OR- close up ranks on the grates (you can build extra grates anytime) when you want to load it up with chicken thighs, ribs, - thinner stuff ... fwiw
And on the eighth day God created barbecue …. because he DOES love us and he wants us to be happy.
Current smokers: Egor (trailered RF) and Easybake (tabletop pellet drive)
looks like it will be a great smoker!
I would recommend changing the openings on each side of the firebox tho. you will have some serious hot spots there.
I would prolly install a baffle plate or diffuser plate over your waterpan or make false walls inside the cook chamber and do a vertical RF design.
Great ideas on the 3 1/2.. as far as reverse flow.. might be out of my budget but I will see. The hotspot idea is concerning though. Any examples of how the baffle plate or diffuser would look?
was checking out the different types of diffuser plats.. if we made one as a 4.5'x5' slide in diffuser.. how big do you think the holes should be? Larger in the middle over the pan and then decrease in size as I get to the sides? maybe 1/2" holes on sides and 3/4 - 1" in the middle?
I agree with 3.5" spacing that's what I am going with and I should be able to fit 11 racks in mine. You can always remove some to fit larger cuts or a hog.
Having a liberal along is like losing two good men.