NEED ADVICE ON BUILDING COOKER

Jgry97 · Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 4

Hello everybody, great site here.

A little history first:

My BBQ team purchased a 10' long X 36" diameter round tank for our new cooker. We decided to weld a 1/4" thick steel plate inside the cooker . This separated the cooker into two sections; one measuring 6' long and the other measuring 4' long.

My questions is in regards to the fireboxes:

Our plan is to build a firebox for each cooking chamber. These fireboxes will be located at the back of the cooker, and will run parallel with the cooking chambers. I have noticed that many people on this site prefer to build their fireboxes set off to one side or the other, instead of running parallel with the cooking chamber. Could someone please give me advantages and disadvantages of one method over the other. It seems to me that building a firebox that runs parallel to the cooking chamber, as opposed to "on the side", would deliver more even heat to the whole cooking chamber. Is this thinking wrong?

Also, I have seen the "calculation page" that Alien Barbeque posted and it is very helpful. However, is there any specific formula for determining the size of the firebox itself in relation to the cooking chamber? This is what we are struggling with right now. How big do our fireboxes need to be?

Thank you all in advance.

Reggae Q · Posted: Mar 27 2008 Post subject:

You'll have to have a builder or someone who knows more chime in but with having an offset firebox, you'll be able to maintain even heat throughout the whole chamber by using tuning plates.

I would imagine something that large would give you in excess of 50* varience from left to right but tuning plates should solve that fine.

Like I said though, others will chime in regarding the firebox running parallel

mds2 · Posted: Mar 27 2008 Post subject:

Here is my pit that i built a few years back that is similar in design to what you are talking about:

Side to side there is no temp difference at all, but it is hotter in the back near the firebox. If i were to build another one of these i would leave the firebox where it is but use tuning plates inside. Right now it has a heat deflector that extends about 20" from the back to the front of the cooking chamber.
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The Saucy Lads BBQ Team

bates · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 99 Location: humble, tx

take a look at my 3696t or the tsc , that will give a good idea
let me know if i can help
steve(bates)
lonestarcustompits.com
batespitts.com