Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

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Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:33 pm

Thanks for allowing me to join. I am a fabricator and building a quality smoker is not out of the question. The smoker will be for our backyard use. I have gotten my hands on a 60 gallon vertical 24 inches in diameter air compressor tank of which I could make a vertical smoker with a fire box off to one side or build a horizontal reverse flow smoker. Looking on Youtube and do not see many vertical built smokers from either air tanks or propane tanks.

My question for the pros is the vertical due to the legs already in place would be easier to get built. What are the pros and cons of both the vertical & horizontal smoker?

As I said I am a fabricator and build custom gold mining gear so building this smoker is not a problem, but I am in over my head on building a smoker. Have watched many videos on reverse flow smoker.

12 inch Trommel

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Last edited by AzViper on Thu Apr 20, 2017 6:18 am, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby k.a.m. » Mon Apr 10, 2017 10:13 am

Some folks like vertical smokers because their foot print is less. I prefer horizontal offsets because I like the options of meat placement at any given time. While I have built quite a few reverse flow cookers I prefer a cooker with tuning plates. My big competition cooker is a Hybrid that I designed it can cook either way but I never use the reverse flow option. My smaller competition cooker is a 24" x 55" and it is straight tuning plates.
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:18 pm

K.A.M.

Thank you for the reply. During some research I came across Feldon's BBQ Pit/Smoker Build Calculator. This appears to be very helpful as I had many questions in regards to the fire box.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby k.a.m. » Mon Apr 10, 2017 8:31 pm

AzViper wrote:K.A.M.

Thank you for the reply. During some research I came across Feldon's BBQ Pit/Smoker Build Calculator. This appears to be very helpful as I had many questions in regards to the fire box.

You are very welcome Sir. :D
If you have questions about the calculator you can use the email at the bottom my email is attached to the calculator I helped design it.
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:08 pm

After reading more I am going to build a horizontal reverse flow smoker. Hopefully I will have the tank this weekend. I have to remove the motor and compressor head from the tank. Its an Ingersoll Rand compressor that the head is shot and has not been in use for over 10 years. Had a dryer attached to it to remove any moisture so the tank should be in great condition. I had a horizontal Ingersoll Rand screw compressor that sat for years, it ended up in a salvage yard.
Last edited by AzViper on Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby Boots » Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:14 pm

Might just want to do a good initial burnout in it in case there's a spray sealant or rust inhibitor. Just food get thought. Not galvanized right?
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Tue Apr 11, 2017 6:39 am

Its painted on the outside of the original paint from the factory. Will not know until I clean and cut into it. I doubt that its galvanized.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Tue Apr 11, 2017 1:49 pm

I am curious as to what elevation will do to these calculated numbers from the calculator for the Chimney Size, Air Inlet Size, and Airbox To Cooking Camber Size.

Where I am located it's 2300 feet above sea level.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:44 am

In this drawing I show the cutout in the firebox into the cooking chamber. I am allowing the bottom of the cutout to be just over 1 inch above the bottom of the chamber as a grease stop. Is this correct so grease does not flow back into the firebox?

Image
Last edited by AzViper on Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby k.a.m. » Wed Apr 12, 2017 2:04 pm

AzViper wrote:I am curious as to what elevation will do to these calculated numbers from the calculator for the Chimney Size, Air Inlet Size, and Airbox To Cooking Camber Size.

Where I am located it's 2300 feet above sea level.

There have been many a cooker built using the calculator. The 1/3 rule it is based on works in upper altitudes just fine. The 1" bridge is a good idea.
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:11 pm

k.a.m. wrote:
AzViper wrote:I am curious as to what elevation will do to these calculated numbers from the calculator for the Chimney Size, Air Inlet Size, and Airbox To Cooking Camber Size.

Where I am located it's 2300 feet above sea level.

There have been many a cooker built using the calculator. The 1/3 rule it is based on works in upper altitudes just fine. The 1" bridge is a good idea.


Kevin, Thank you for the reply. I am sure I will have questions as the build begins. Not sure when that will be as I am trying to finish up a 44'x 18' porch and the surrounding areas. Here are the number I arrived with the current tank. Any suggestions?

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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Wed Apr 12, 2017 7:17 pm

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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby k.a.m. » Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:14 pm

I would increase the firebox size.
Look at these numbers.
Link to BBQ Pit Calculator
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Thu Apr 13, 2017 7:28 pm

Going to cut out the plates with a CNC waterjet, this eliminating any issues in keeping the plates flat and true to within .005.

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Re: Vertical or Horizontal Smoker

Postby AzViper » Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:13 pm

Boots wrote:Might just want to do a good initial burnout in it in case there's a spray sealant or rust inhibitor. Just food get thought. Not galvanized right?


Once I have the tank in hand will check the inside of the tank.
I am a UAV pilot keeping a watchful eye below.
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