Wondering about heat loss

[PalmettoSmoke]

If you find a good deal on the parts, please share

Will do. I'm going to try to get the smoker to the welder today or tomorrow.

 

[PalmettoSmoke]

I just spoke to a guy at Metal Supermarket (not sure if you have one there). He said that he could sell me 20" of 6" Schedule 40 pipe for a little over $28.00. I've never bought pipe before, so I don't really know if that's a good deal or not (or even what schedule 40 means)!

 

[BBQ Bandit]

I just spoke to a guy at Metal Supermarket (not sure if you have one there). He said that he could sell me 20" of 6" Schedule 40 pipe for a little over $28.00. I've never bought pipe before, so I don't really know if that's a good deal or not (or even what schedule 40 means)!

Schedule 40 defines a particular pipe wall thickness based on diameter = .28" thick.

Ref: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/nominal-wall-thickness-pipe-d_1337.html

 

[ButtBurner]

what is the thickness of the metal the smoke chamber is made of?

 

[PalmettoSmoke]

Schedule 40 defines a particular pipe wall thickness based on diameter = .28" thick.

Ref: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/nominal-wall-thickness-pipe-d_1337.html

Cool. Thanks. I think that should be good enough for a smokestack. Don't you think?

 

[PalmettoSmoke]

They are. He didn't seem happy to talk to me. That's why I've decided to just procure the parts elsewhere.

Also, look at this site below (measurements may not be exact). According to this, we need a 6" pipe at 20" long (I'll get exact measurements when I get home).

Link to BBQ Pit Calculator

Question for you all: Since there are 2 stacks, could that one 20" piece be cut in to two 10" stacks and achieve the same results? I would cook with one stack closed most of the time (since it is a reverse flow design).

 

[BBQ Bandit]

Question for you all: Since there are 2 stacks, could that one 20" piece be cut in to two 10" stacks and achieve the same results? I would cook with one stack closed most of the time (since it is a reverse flow design).

As a R/f smoker - you need plenty of airflow... accomplished with a tall exhaust (known as draft).
Keep the 20" intact.

 

[DownHomeQue]

I have 2 6 inch exhaust on my 250 gallon cooker.. it does good.. would definitely reccomend doing the same on yours to big is better than not enough.. because you can always close her down.. and i would do it!

 

[PalmettoSmoke]

As a R/f smoker - you need plenty of airflow... accomplished with a tall exhaust (known as draft).
Keep the 20" intact.

That's what I thought. I'll make both stacks 20". Like I said, the one on the end is usually closed when I'm cooking. It would look funny with 2 different sized stacks.

 

[DownHomeQue]

get a 40 inch pipe and make 2 20" 6" exhaust!

 

[PalmettoSmoke]

get a 40 inch pipe and make 2 20" 6" exhaust!

Metal Supermarket will cut them any length I want. I'll get them to cut two 20" pipes. Then, hopefully the welder won't charge me an arm and a leg to put them on (I really need to learn to weld)!

 

[ButtBurner]

Metal Supermarket will cut them any length I want. I'll get them to cut two 20" pipes. Then, hopefully the welder won't charge me an arm and a leg to put them on (I really need to learn to weld)!

how thick is the smoke chamber metal???

 

[PalmettoSmoke]

how thick is the smoke chamber metal???

I'm not sure. I'm not at home right now. Does this make a difference in what I can use for the stacks?

 

[ButtBurner]

I'm not sure. I'm not at home right now. Does this make a difference in what I can use for the stacks?

it might

I would try to get stacks that are close to the chamber in thickness since its a lot easier to weld the 2 together than 2 that are quite different. I would try to match the thickness of the stacks you already have.

A good welder will be able to do it but it would be good to know before you order stack material.

I just figured you would know, thats all.

 

[PalmettoSmoke]

No problem. If I had to guess, I'd say 1/4" thick. Like I said earlier, I have no experience welding. I had no idea that it was easier to weld 2 things the same thickness together.

I may just take the smoker to the welder, and ask what he recommends.

 

[ButtBurner]

No problem. If I had to guess, I'd say 1/4" thick. Like I said earlier, I have no experience welding. I had no idea that it was easier to weld 2 things the same thickness together.

I may just take the smoker to the welder, and ask what he recommends.

I think that would the best idea. You may take him something and then he suggests something else, might as well get his recommendation.

 

[BBQ Bandit]

I think that would the best idea. You may take him something and then he suggests something else, might as well get his recommendation.

To add to that...if you develop a business relationship with a local welder/fabricator, try to barter BBQ with future welding jobs, yielding a win-win scenario.

 

[ButtBurner]

To add to that...if you develop a business relationship with a local welder/fabricator, try to barter BBQ with future welding jobs, yielding a win-win scenario.

Oh yeah! welders (and mechanics) are good to know

glad I do both LOL ( I am a retired mechanic by trade)

 

[jonboy]

What is the box on top of the firebox?
Is it a warmer? Does it have an exhaust?
jon

 

[dwfisk]

Hey guys, just another option if you have any trouble sourcing tubing. I'm assuming all the discussion about 6 inch refers to round tubing. If round is OK, custom exhausts for big rigs are often made of 6 inch but it will be thinner wall, plenty for a smoker exhaust but whoever does the welding needs to be careful - it's not difficult just need to know what you are doing. I used exhaust tubing welded to my 1/4 thick tank and it works fine, its also comparatively cheap. Developing a relationship with the shop that will do the welding and listening to their recommendation is really solid advice.