RF Design Decision Help

Woodstone Griller · Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 5

I'm designing a reverse flow for my back yard. The smoking chamber will be square so I can insulate it. I'm having a difficult time committing to size. Most of my smoking is for family get togethers with 12 or so in attendance. At least once a year I cook a butt, brisket and ribs for my football tailgate party serving between 28 and 45.

I can't decide whether to go 60 in. wide with 2 cooking grates or 48 in wide with 2 cooking grates or 48 in wide with 3 cooking grates. Grates would be spaced 8 in. apart.

Is there a draw back to having a cooking chamber tall enough to accommodate the three cooking grates? Would this be too top heavy?

Also, I assume when using the calculator that the area under the RF plate is not considered cooking chamber?

SoEzzy · Posted: Apr 08 2014 Post subject: Re: RF Design Decision Help

Woodstone Griller · Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 5

Thanks SoEzzy. My concern is would 48 X 24 with 2 cooking grates be sufficient for the bigger size cook? I am assuming 6 inches below the RF plate and 6 inches above to the lower cooking grate. 8 inches between grates and assuming 8 inches above the top grate to the top of the chamber. 2 grates would be an overall inside height of 28 inches, for three that would be 36 inches. I'm leaning towards the 48 X 24 with 2 grates, but if I am going to expend this amount of $ and time I want it to be adequate for my needs. Sometimes I do more than one butt and a whole brisket and cut back on the ribs a bit.

I guess another option would be to add additional supports to allow doubling up on grates when doing a large number of ribs and that would probably make the smaller cooker work out.

Another concern is whether it would be too top heavy since it isn't a trailer build.

Woodstone Griller · Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 5

Sorry SoEzzy. After reading your post again more carefully I gleaned the necessary information. I will work out the details and post the design to see if anyone has additional input for improvements.

Greasyfingers · Newbie Joined: 31 Jan 2014 Posts: 88

I design all my smokers around what is the most efficient use and easiest to cut out of a sheet or plate.
Then build the rest according to that

k.a.m. · Posted: Apr 09 2014 Post subject:

Welcome to the ring Woodstone Griller, looking forward to seeing some pics of your cooks and following your cooker project. Smile

In my opinion a 24" x 24" x 48" square cooker will be more than enough to feed a group of 12 folks. Heck you could feed twice that many folks.
You can lower the R/F plate to between 1" and 5" in my opinion.
Using a 22" firebox you would need about 85 Sq. in on your Fb/Cc opening. A hole 5" tall and 17" wide will work. This will allow you to have two grates about 7" apart.
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Hybrid Cooker