Exhaust dampers

bigboyzbbq · Posted: Oct 15 2009 Post subject: Exhaust dampers

I have been working on my offset smoker and I am in the process of installing new 5" chrome stacks, where can I get the dampers for the inside of the pipes or is this something I should just fabricate? Tom if your out there I am still plucking away at this thing.....
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Great Outdoors vertical smoker, Royal Oak offset smoker, "Big Louie" 500gal offset smoker in the final modification stage and large s/s grill w/ side burner and warming tray.

k.a.m. · Posted: Oct 15 2009 Post subject:

bigboyzbbq, I would just fabricate them. Are you going to have them to just keep out the elements? (rain and varmits)
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day_trippr · Posted: Oct 15 2009 Post subject:

If your stacks are straight cut pipes, you can fabricate rather simple "lids" that keep rain and critters from getting down into your rig. A standard pipe damper won't keep rain out.

Simplest is just a flat plate rotating on a threaded vertical stud welded to the side of the stack, but I've seen some use a captured rod to drop down to easy reach of a handle as well. Or use a hinged "flapper". Either way works fine...

Cheer
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k.a.m. · Posted: Oct 15 2009 Post subject:

day_trippr, if he welds on the stacks he ruins the new chrome. I figured drilling holes and incorporating internal wafers. But your right they aren't going to keep out the rain. You could weld a bolt to a piece of pipe and then drill the holes and do a flat top that way. Just install the lower bolt assembly before you mount the stack. That should minumize the chrome loss.
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

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day_trippr · Posted: Oct 15 2009 Post subject:

Ah, yeah, the chrome could get messed up I reckon. Could the stud be welded to the inside of the stack without screwing up the chrome?

Bolt-on hinges for "flapper" type lids could be done and look clean. 'Course, the lids and hinges probably want to be chromed, then, too. But I bet all the stuff one would need for that could be found at JCWhitney.com...

Cheers
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Save the planet: it's the only one with beer!
FrankennBrinkmann ECB
Char-Broil Commercial Gasser

k.a.m. · Posted: Oct 15 2009 Post subject:

day_trippr, I believe any welding on the stack is going to Fubar the chrome, at least that is my experience from trucking days. He could get chrome stack flappers probably the same place he bought the stacks if he is not using turn out stacks, then just tighten the pivot bolt to where just a slight pull would hold it in place.
I used to love shopping JCWhitney via the mail way before the internet. I couldn't wait for the new catalog. Very Happy

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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

bigjoe · Posted: Oct 15 2009 Post subject:

Mebbe just get a truck rain-cap and you could rig it to open in increments for the desired exhaust rate.

Cranky Buzzard · Posted: Oct 15 2009 Post subject:

Call me cheap, but the old coffee cans I drop over mine when it sits outside for any length of time work great for me! Laughing

Charlie
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PaulOinMA · Posted: Oct 15 2009 Post subject:

Vintage Griswold dampers are readily available on ebay. They are very inexpensive, too, as they are generally just ornamental pieces these days.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=Griswold+damper&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=Griswold&_osacat=0

bigboyzbbq · Posted: Oct 16 2009 Post subject: Dampers

My stacks are turn outs, and my plan is to weld them on and painting the weld area and about an inch from the bottom up w/ black grill paint, after using some tape to make it a uniform ring. My friend has done this before and it looked OK. I wasn't sure if I needed the dampers to regulate the heat, I never used the ones that were on the old stacks to often, I usually just regulate the heat with the intake. Any thoughts or pluses or minuses on needing or not needing to have an exhaust damper. Thanks for the input.
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Great Outdoors vertical smoker, Royal Oak offset smoker, "Big Louie" 500gal offset smoker in the final modification stage and large s/s grill w/ side burner and warming tray.

smoke n fyrman · Posted: Oct 16 2009 Post subject: stacks

Heres a pic of how my stacks are mounted on my rig. I made it with adjustable flanges so that the pipes could be loosened to help when cooking in different wind conditions. The damper also helps with heat control. I just cut down a 4" double flange and welded it to the damper and used a chrome clamp.

Hope this helps,

Mark

k.a.m. · Posted: Oct 16 2009 Post subject:

bigboyzbbq , you just answered my question. I would not worry about the dampers if you are using turnouts. Always control your temps by your intake and forget about the exhaust. Just get an inexpensive cover for your stacks. Smile

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

Tom C · Posted: Oct 16 2009 Post subject:

Michael B · Posted: Oct 16 2009 Post subject:

Does anyone use chimney caps?

k.a.m. · Posted: Oct 16 2009 Post subject:

Black Pearl · Newbie Joined: 20 Dec 2008 Posts: 94

I made some chimney cap type deals for mine that just drop on when I need them (rain while im cooking or for storage) My stacks are 3"x5" rectangle tubing though so it is an odd size, but they came out nice and they work perfectly as intended. I modeled mine off of the Gator Pit birdhouse type, but mine never actually close off the stack, they simply keep stuff from falling strait into it.

luckyduk · Posted: Oct 17 2009 Post subject:

Chuck · Posted: Oct 17 2009 Post subject: stacks

bigboyzbbq here are some pictures of my stacks

I would not weld your ( turn out) stacks to your pit
they look cool but the wind likes to blow down them and run
your pit back wards.

You will see smoke blowing out of your fire box damper.

You need to be able to turn them out of the wind.

dual exhaust damper

upper and lower exhaust damper doors in pit

look at the smoke coming out of the stacks

Stacks in this pictures turn the other way (out of the wind)

picture of my exhaust damper box on my big pit

picture of my little pit on the table

looking inside the little damper box

picture of little pit

picture of the stacks on the big pit

picture of exhaust damper box on the new pit

These stacks I will not need to turn, but they have clamps on
them so I can take them off.

This drawing is of the big pit, I always put my exhaust box on the
outside of the pit away from the meat.

bigboyzbbq the way I do them is a little more work but they
always work good, I hope this helps

Stilwell Chuck

NCBBQFAN · Posted: Oct 17 2009 Post subject:

Nice rig and nice metal work as well. I don't have any damper control on the stacks, only on the intake. Stack dampers really don�t do that much, kind of like the port holes on a 57� Thunderbird there more for looks than anything. As for the rain, I just have a 30 degree bent piece of flat metal and it works just fine, it looks like a barn roof, I added a pig to the top for decoration.

PaulOinMA · Posted: Oct 18 2009 Post subject:

You could probably fabricate a chimney cap like the ones that top Pitt's & Spitt's smokers.

Picture here: http://pittsandspitts.com/U2436.htm.

If you want more close-up pictures, I can take pictures of mine and post them.

Theer is a damper just below the cap. As others stated, I only close it after I'm done cooking, and all temperature adjustment is done with the intake.