New smoker suggestions

XIIfan · 06-29-2009, 08:44 AM

First of all, great site with lots of good info!!!

Now, I'm bulding a smoker with 250g propane tanks (I know the harm, but a friend will cut for me

). My question is do I go with a vertical or horizontal smoke box? Both will have an offset fire box. I like the idea of hanging sausage and what not in the vertical and the physics of heat rising just makes sense, but the horizontal seems to be most popular. Why? Any help would be appreciated.

moocow · 06-29-2009, 08:55 AM

Vertical would be cool because you do not see a lot like that. How tall would it be?

monty3777 · 06-29-2009, 10:25 AM

The thing I like about my horizontal off-set is that the temps are different depending one where the meat is located on the grate. For some that is an annoyance - for me it helps when I want to hold some meat while cooking others. I assume that temps on a vertical cooker will be more uniform - but my only experience with vertical cookers is my WSM so I may be way off here.

XIIfan · 06-29-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moocow

Vertical would be cool because you do not see a lot like that. How tall would it be?

The tanks are 78" long so pushing 6+ feet tall. Thats a lot of cooking area.

ZBQ · 06-29-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XIIfan

The tanks are 78" long so pushing 6+ feet tall. Thats a lot of cooking area.

Just a thought that came to mind. At 6 feet tall I would be concerened about
being able to comfortably service and use the upper portion unless it will be directly on the ground.
If it is going to be raised off the ground at all, you have to add that to your height.
Then consider the practicality of it.

I personally like verticle simply because of the reason you already listed.
Heat rises.

Hence my WSM and Spicewine.

But, That is not to say that there is anything wrong with horizontal, some of the
best Q around comes out of horizontal cookers. It's just a personal preference.

For me, vertical is less labor intesive and more forgiving with reguards to temp control.
But that depends on the design of the cooker too.
WSM's and Spicewines are pretty much set it and forget it kind of cookers.

Why not do both?
Lots of cookers are made with both a verticle and horizontal.

pbc223 · 06-30-2009, 12:58 PM

My brother and I just built a horizontal out of a 250 G propane tank. It is an offset Lange style with a pan on the bottom and a warming oven. I just put the BBQ Guru 2 on it last night. Even without the GURU the temp stayed easly at 225.

keend · 06-30-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbc223

My brother and I just built a horizontal out of a 250 G propane tank. It is an offset Lange style with a pan on the bottom and a warming oven. I just put the BBQ Guru 2 on it last night. Even without the GURU the temp stayed easly at 225.

No Pics......did not happen.

XIIfan · 06-30-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZBQ

Why not do both?
Lots of cookers are made with both a verticle and horizontal.

I'm a bit concerned about the amount of wood required to keep a verticle/horizontal combo upto temp. That's a big smoker

.

pbc223 · 07-01-2009, 05:23 PM

I did happen, I toook some pics but am having trouble uploading them.

pbc223 · 07-01-2009, 06:19 PM

Here it is. It took me longer to post this than it did to build it.

XIIfan · 07-01-2009, 08:42 PM

Ok, I've decided to build a horizontal unit. The verticle would be too tall (I'm short), and wouldn't use the trailer space well.

Next question...I see several horizontal offset units with the vent pipe on the fire box end. Why? Wouldn't the other end make for better air flow and more even heat?

Smokin Turkey · 07-01-2009, 09:13 PM

With the stack on the same side, that indicates that it is a reverse flow. There is a baffle plate to carry the heat from the fire box to the far end of the smoker to alow it to run back to the stack giving more even temps and I'm told reverse flows have more of a convection action than a straight stick burner. My mini reverse flow works very well and does not require tuning plates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XIIfan

Ok, I've decided to build a horizontal unit. The verticle would be too tall (I'm short), and wouldn't use the trailer space well.

Next question...I see several horizontal offset units with the vent pipe on the fire box end. Why? Wouldn't the other end make for better air flow and more even heat?

06-29-2009, 08:44 AM	#1
XIIfan Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 06-28-09 Location: Stillwater, OK Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	New smoker suggestions First of all, great site with lots of good info!!! Now, I'm bulding a smoker with 250g propane tanks (I know the harm, but a friend will cut for me ). My question is do I go with a vertical or horizontal smoke box? Both will have an offset fire box. I like the idea of hanging sausage and what not in the vertical and the physics of heat rising just makes sense, but the horizontal seems to be most popular. Why? Any help would be appreciated.

06-29-2009, 08:55 AM	#2
moocow is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-31-08 Location: Belton, mo Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Vertical would be cool because you do not see a lot like that. How tall would it be? __________________ -Shane Petzold- -MooCow BBQ team- -President of Operation BBQ Relief- -www.moocowbbq.com- -Home of the Make it Take it Drum Class- -kCBS/ CBJ- - Stoker powered stainless steel cabinet smoker-Mini & 3 Regular UDS-BLUE Weber OTG-Saffire ceramic grill-26" plow disc-Green mountain pellet -Haulmark Competition trailer-

06-29-2009, 10:25 AM	#3
monty3777 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-13-08 Location: Happytown, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The thing I like about my horizontal off-set is that the temps are different depending one where the meat is located on the grate. For some that is an annoyance - for me it helps when I want to hold some meat while cooking others. I assume that temps on a vertical cooker will be more uniform - but my only experience with vertical cookers is my WSM so I may be way off here. __________________ John 21:9

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06-30-2009, 12:58 PM	#6
pbc223 Found some matches. Join Date: 05-18-09 Location: Springfield, nh Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My brother and I just built a horizontal out of a 250 G propane tank. It is an offset Lange style with a pan on the bottom and a warming oven. I just put the BBQ Guru 2 on it last night. Even without the GURU the temp stayed easly at 225.

07-01-2009, 05:23 PM	#9
pbc223 Found some matches. Join Date: 05-18-09 Location: Springfield, nh Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I did happen, I toook some pics but am having trouble uploading them.

07-01-2009, 06:19 PM	#10
pbc223 Found some matches. Join Date: 05-18-09 Location: Springfield, nh Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Here it is. It took me longer to post this than it did to build it.

07-01-2009, 08:42 PM	#11
XIIfan Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 06-28-09 Location: Stillwater, OK Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Ok, I've decided to build a horizontal unit. The verticle would be too tall (I'm short), and wouldn't use the trailer space well. Next question...I see several horizontal offset units with the vent pipe on the fire box end. Why? Wouldn't the other end make for better air flow and more even heat?