Reverse flow?

Mo-Dave · 01-01-2009, 05:22 PM

Anyone here ever use a reverse flow cooker? If so did you/do you like it or not and why? It would seem to be an ideal set up but if so why don't more of us have them?
Dave

garyk1398 · 01-01-2009, 05:26 PM

Can't say that I have one Dave, plenty of Brethren here do and hang on for a few and the posts should be forth coming. Haven't heard or seen any reverse flow owners that didn't love theirs!

chad · 01-01-2009, 05:32 PM

I haven't owned one but have cometed against Lang 84 and Lang 60 models. HomeBBQ.com (Kevin) used an 84 for several years with great success. I was thinking of buying one but never could get an answer by phone or email - so I ordered my Kingfisher.

The reverse flow "technology" is sound.

tjus77 · 01-01-2009, 06:21 PM

I used one last year at a cookoff when my pit just decided it wouldn't work (long story). We stoked the fire and filled the firebox, it ran 250 on the far side and 225 at the firebox for 5 hours without being touched. We stirred the coals and added about 3 splits and it ran for another 4 hours. I try to get my hands on it anytime I cook bigger than my pit can hold.

nmayeux · 01-01-2009, 07:12 PM

I love my little Lang, and the reverse flow design is perfect for this sized cooker. However, for the really large cookers, I think that the traditional offset works just as well.

TN_BBQ · 01-01-2009, 09:37 PM

Do you consider the Backwoods Smokers to be reverse flow? Smoke enters the top and leaves from the bottom.

I like it.

kickassbbq · 01-02-2009, 06:24 AM

I love my Lang 84. Is a reverse flow smoker any better? NO.
Always remember, it's the cook, not the cooker.
I can smoke meat just as good on my little Brinkmann PitMaster Deluxe.
If you did a taste test between the 2, you would not be able to tell the difference.
The only thing different is that it has a steel plate running the entire lenght of the smoker and you can use that as a grill like in a restuarant. You can't do that with most other smokers that I know of. Other than that, not any better than any other style smoker.

Rightstuff · 01-02-2009, 06:30 AM

I've got a 250 gal reverse flow cooker by Bubba Grills. Yes it runs hot on one side and cooler on the other (usually about a 20 degree difference). I LOVE it. I can move meat around to different temperature zones at my leisure. You can also adjust the lower temp side by raising the neck of the trailer; you can also lower the temp by lowering the trailer neck ( go figure!). It does require a good bit of attention though! Not much walking around during comps. I didn't know if I would like mine when I first got it. I went through a little bit of a learning curve, but know I am very happy.

Desert Dweller · 01-02-2009, 07:19 AM

I am giving serious consideration to buying a reverse flow for larger cooks. I think they work good, but as has been said, it's the COOK, not the COOKER!

jestridge · 01-02-2009, 07:42 AM

I'm planning on building one . I wonder why you get a 20 degree difference!!!

QDoc · 01-02-2009, 08:19 AM

The temp differential can be minimized by slightly raising the tongue end on a lang. By doing so it allows the hotter air to settle in this end. However on the bottom shelf near the fire box it will be a little hotter there from radiant heat produced by the baffle. I like the fact that some areas cook hotter.

Mo-Dave · 01-02-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QDoc

The temp differential can be minimized by slightly raising the tongue end on a lang. By doing so it allows the hotter air to settle in this end. However on the bottom shelf near the fire box it will be a little hotter there from radiant heat produced by the baffle. I like the fact that some areas cook hotter.

What if it was designed so that the exhaust was lower than the top rack a few inches. Do you think that would help even out the temps a little?
Dave

Rightstuff · 01-02-2009, 12:25 PM

I don't necessarily want the same cooking temps across the entire cooker. It CAN be achieved by raising and lowering the tongue though, but I enjoy have different temperature zones to cook in. My 250 zone is large enough to cook anything I need. I can also smoke chicken in a 275 zone while smoking a boston butt in a 250 zone. I didn't like it at first but its nice when you don't want to smoke everything at the same temp.

safeflt1 · 01-02-2009, 12:52 PM

Mo...I bought a Lang 84 last March and have had nothing but GREAT success cooking on it. The cooker/ smoker area is huge and the smoke translates very well thruout the entire cooking grates (both upper and lower) and no matter how much I am cooking on it (I cater many events)! The smoke flavor with the reverse flow as well as the temperature remains pretty constant thru the entire chamber. I have been thrilled with the way the reverse flow operates and cannot say enough good things about it. I must admit that I was leary when I first started looking at buying one since I had no experieince using one, but Ben Lang took as much time explaining the proper way to use it before I purchased it and it is a awesome cooker. I agree with the other posts about the temp variance and how it can be controlled by raising the the tongue up or down. My cooker usually runs about 15- 20 degree different from end to end.

01-01-2009, 05:22 PM	#1
Mo-Dave Babbling Farker Join Date: 09-18-06 Location: Hurricane Deck Missouri Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Reverse flow? Anyone here ever use a reverse flow cooker? If so did you/do you like it or not and why? It would seem to be an ideal set up but if so why don't more of us have them? Dave __________________ Lg Spicewine on trailer Weber charcoal grill 2 ugly drums, semi retired Bbq toolbox, formerly Chargrill smoker My wife has gas, its a Brinkman.

01-01-2009, 05:26 PM	#2
garyk1398 Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-05-08 Location: South O, Omaha, NE Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Can't say that I have one Dave, plenty of Brethren here do and hang on for a few and the posts should be forth coming. Haven't heard or seen any reverse flow owners that didn't love theirs! __________________ Cookshack sm055, UDS, Smokey Joe, Southwest Pit, couple of Weber kettles, an old gasser, and a weed burner. Gary, KCBS -CBJ Certified Nebraska MOINK Baller, KCBS - CBJ Semper Fi, when in doubt empty the magazine

01-01-2009, 05:32 PM	#3
chad somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-13-03 Location: Clearwater, FL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I haven't owned one but have cometed against Lang 84 and Lang 60 models. HomeBBQ.com (Kevin) used an 84 for several years with great success. I was thinking of buying one but never could get an answer by phone or email - so I ordered my Kingfisher. The reverse flow "technology" is sound. __________________ Dave Southern Brethren BBQ Competition Team "It's all about getting paid!" - Myron Mixon "I love being hated in my hometown!" - David Hair KingFisher Gator Rotisserie cooker, WSM, Stainless 5 burner with IR gas grill, Turkey Fryer, Weber JD Commemorative grill, slightly used Bandera chamber for future use as a cold smoker, Masterbuilt 40" insulated ELECTRIC smoker

01-01-2009, 06:21 PM	#4
tjus77 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-19-06 Location: Tomball, TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I used one last year at a cookoff when my pit just decided it wouldn't work (long story). We stoked the fire and filled the firebox, it ran 250 on the far side and 225 at the firebox for 5 hours without being touched. We stirred the coals and added about 3 splits and it ran for another 4 hours. I try to get my hands on it anytime I cook bigger than my pit can hold. __________________ *Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted!* Lyfe Tyme Smoker Campfire Cookset, Dutch Oven Cooking Table Variety of Cast Iron DO's Char-Griller Gas Grill, Weber Kettle Cajuns make better lovers cause we'll eat ANYTHING.

01-01-2009, 07:12 PM	#5
nmayeux Babbling Farker Join Date: 04-03-05 Location: Marietta, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I love my little Lang, and the reverse flow design is perfect for this sized cooker. However, for the really large cookers, I think that the traditional offset works just as well. __________________ Noah \#/ Nauti-Que BBQ Team Pitmaster and KCBS CBJ & CTC

01-01-2009, 09:37 PM	#6
TN_BBQ is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-02-08 Location: Knoxville, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Do you consider the Backwoods Smokers to be reverse flow? Smoke enters the top and leaves from the bottom. I like it. __________________ Life's a party with a Backwoods Party!

01-02-2009, 06:24 AM	#7
kickassbbq is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-20-05 Location: mn Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I love my Lang 84. Is a reverse flow smoker any better? NO. Always remember, it's the cook, not the cooker. I can smoke meat just as good on my little Brinkmann PitMaster Deluxe. If you did a taste test between the 2, you would not be able to tell the difference. The only thing different is that it has a steel plate running the entire lenght of the smoker and you can use that as a grill like in a restuarant. You can't do that with most other smokers that I know of. Other than that, not any better than any other style smoker. __________________ Smoke On!!!!!! www.kickassbbq.com

01-02-2009, 06:30 AM	#8
Rightstuff is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-20-08 Location: Griffin, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've got a 250 gal reverse flow cooker by Bubba Grills. Yes it runs hot on one side and cooler on the other (usually about a 20 degree difference). I LOVE it. I can move meat around to different temperature zones at my leisure. You can also adjust the lower temp side by raising the neck of the trailer; you can also lower the temp by lowering the trailer neck ( go figure!). It does require a good bit of attention though! Not much walking around during comps. I didn't know if I would like mine when I first got it. I went through a little bit of a learning curve, but know I am very happy.

01-02-2009, 07:19 AM	#9
Desert Dweller Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-03-08 Location: Mesa, AZ Not exactly hell, but the zip code is very close... Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I am giving serious consideration to buying a reverse flow for larger cooks. I think they work good, but as has been said, it's the COOK, not the COOKER! __________________ Bo Compton in Mesa, AZ, KCBS CBJ Weber Ranch Kettle, BDS Mega, OTS, Weber Platinum WSM w/Stacker from ProQ LFSA RED Thermapen, And 1 2010 Victor brand Hot Dog Cart

01-02-2009, 07:42 AM	#10
jestridge somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 12-28-07 Location: annville ky Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm planning on building one . I wonder why you get a 20 degree difference!!!

01-02-2009, 08:19 AM	#11
QDoc Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 03-02-07 Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The temp differential can be minimized by slightly raising the tongue end on a lang. By doing so it allows the hotter air to settle in this end. However on the bottom shelf near the fire box it will be a little hotter there from radiant heat produced by the baffle. I like the fact that some areas cook hotter.

01-02-2009, 12:25 PM	#13
Rightstuff is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 07-20-08 Location: Griffin, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I don't necessarily want the same cooking temps across the entire cooker. It CAN be achieved by raising and lowering the tongue though, but I enjoy have different temperature zones to cook in. My 250 zone is large enough to cook anything I need. I can also smoke chicken in a 275 zone while smoking a boston butt in a 250 zone. I didn't like it at first but its nice when you don't want to smoke everything at the same temp.

01-02-2009, 12:52 PM	#14
safeflt1 Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 05-23-05 Location: Greensboro NC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Reverse Flow cooker Mo...I bought a Lang 84 last March and have had nothing but GREAT success cooking on it. The cooker/ smoker area is huge and the smoke translates very well thruout the entire cooking grates (both upper and lower) and no matter how much I am cooking on it (I cater many events)! The smoke flavor with the reverse flow as well as the temperature remains pretty constant thru the entire chamber. I have been thrilled with the way the reverse flow operates and cannot say enough good things about it. I must admit that I was leary when I first started looking at buying one since I had no experieince using one, but Ben Lang took as much time explaining the proper way to use it before I purchased it and it is a awesome cooker. I agree with the other posts about the temp variance and how it can be controlled by raising the the tongue up or down. My cooker usually runs about 15- 20 degree different from end to end. __________________ Terry Charbroil offset Lang 84

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