Is a high temp grill on a reverse flow smoker possible?

[Toptrader]

I am in the process of building my first reverse airflow smoker. My build uses concepts from Lang and horizon smokers. I went to lonestargrillz.com. Lonestar has a removable topplate on the firebox, where the high heat can travel into a warmer box-like structure for grilling at high Temps. This remove able topplate also as two round air-vents for a warming cabinet. I realize if I removed the firebox topplate for grilling I would not be able.to use the reverse flow function at.the same time. With all the time and money spent my biggest priority is the reverse flow function to work properly. So, with all that being said, my question is if I have a removeable topplate on the firebox would this affect the reverse flow function of air flow when the topplate of the firebox is on the firebox. Main concern will I loose heat and air through this.closed topplate? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Pete Mazz]

Short answer is "probably". There is so much heat acting on the top of the FB I'd be concerned about it warping. Another option for an offset is to make up a charcoal basket that sits under a cooking grate in the main chamber.

And... Welcome!

[Rodcrafter]

To the crew!


Since you can have a WC above the FB and allowing air directly into it, without that effecting the main CC, the small amount of air you loose when the plate is in place should not effect the function at all. As Pete said the plate may warp if it isn't 1/2" or reinforced.

jm2cw

[bluecatfish]

[Dirtytires]

I have 12 cast iron pans, a few griddles, some stainless saucepans, some Pyrex and a handful of cookie sheets.

My point? To get a desired effect it is most efficient to use the proper pan. Your smoker is similar. You can do a lot with it but make it do too many things and the comrromises leave you with an "ok" smoker and and "ok" hot grill. I would rather have an awesome smoker and an awesome grill. Mine are separate units and each one performs perfectly.

My shop teacher, long ago, gave us one rule in our design so school projects: keep it simple.

[Squiggle]

My metal tech teacher used an extra S & called it K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid!)

[Toptrader]

Thanks all for your thoughts. My goal is to have a great reverse flow smoker. I like to grill my burgers and steak with a high heat wood fire . Just wanted to maximize the wood from fire box. Steel prices got me over budget . But I want it to be as perfect as possible, so guess I need to build a separate unit for the high temp grill on the trailer. Originally was thinking the firebox is 3/8" thick, the warming/grill box would be 1/4" thick and separate the firebox from the warming box with a 2" tube frame to prevent warping. If there is a better way I am all ears. Thanks all.

[Rodcrafter]

The steel plate should be plenty, what are you going to do with the 2" tube?

[bluecatfish]

If you posted pictures or a drawing of your smoker it would help understand your concept.

[Dirtytires]

3/8 for a firebox is awesome but you could get by with 1/4. You will most likely use a fire basket which keeps fire away from direct contact with the walls. Keep the ash cleaned out and it will last for a lifetime. Thicker would hold heat a bit better but is, for me at least, a bear to work with.

Mine is all 1/4 inch (cook chamber, warmer box and firebox) and warping has never been an issue. I did insulate my firebox and skin it with 12g however.

[Toptrader]

Rod crafter, thanks for you reply. About the 2" tube go to lonestargrillz warming oven video. When the wb is opened, the bottom rack is removed to access the removal of the lid into the fb. That area looks recessed. Like either angle iron or a tube frame to separate the top of fb from the bottom of wb. Of course it is totally sealed with a weld.

[Toptrader]

Blue catfish, thx for your interest. Go to lonestargrillz warming oven video. Same idea as that set-up, except the main cook chamber would be reverse flow.

[Toptrader]

Dirty tires what is 12g? Thanks for your input.

[Rodcrafter]

He was talking about 12 gauge steel it is thin like 1/8"


Making memories.

[Mo Smoke]

When I set out to build my cooker One of the most important features to me was to able to use it for grilling purposes as well. I decided to make my baffle plate removable, and built a coal rack that I place inside whenever I want to grill. It sits about 3 inches off the bottom so I get good airflow underneath the fire. I used some thin gauge sheet metal to make an ash pan that sits on the bottom.Then I just place meat on the upper level racks to keep it from burning. I ended up with a hybrid smoker / grill that works great no matter what I'm doing. The only thing is that I can't run both modes at the same time. I had to choose my poison..2 cookers for different modes at the same time or 1 cooker for different modes at different times.


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[bluecatfish]

Thanks, Mo Smoke, I checked it out. Looks good. I didn't see a stop on the sliding racks, I think I would have one just in case I got carried away sliding them out.

[Mo Smoke]

True.. No stops... But there are some tip guards close to the edge that keep the racks from falling when I pull them out to the end so I always have the chance to stop before I make a mistake and pull the racks all the way out.


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[Toptrader]

Thanks for the post MoSmoke. I like your idea of a removable baffle plate. It was my understanding from research that the baffle should be sealed airtight to prevent smoke and heat from escaping from the sides to go straight out the exhaust . Has that ever been an issue for you when doing low and slow smoking?

[Toptrader]

Rod crafter, duh, your right thx

[Toptrader]

Hey rod crafter. I saw the picture of your setup. Really nice. I can't make the red handles on your doors. What did you make the handles from?

[Rodcrafter]

I just buy the spring part, then use 1/2" round stock and either bend it to the shape and size or use it straight and put plates on each end. That's really easier than it looks.


Making memories.

[Mo Smoke]

Top.. I never have problems with low and slow cooking. Having the baffle plate sealed tight along with insulation around the doors probably makes for the most efficient setup possible. But mine drafts very well and maintains temps with no problem. You have to work hard to screw up the reverse flow concept.


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