Gravity fed hoppers question

[jgh1204]

How does this work?

I understand the charcoal drops down as the old stuff goes to ash, but what keeps the fire from just climbing up the chute? Lack of oxygen?

 

[FatDad]

Check out this link.
It kind of explains HOW it works without creating a fire.

http://hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/hopper_fed_coal

Hope this helps

 

[vr6Cop]

Thanks Mark for the explanation, and thanks jgh for asking. I've often thought about the same question.

 

[Swinebuck]

jgh1204: The simple answer to Gravity Feed is the air tight door on the top of the coal shute does not allow any co2 to escape thereby the only place in the smoker that can burn is at the coal grate where the air intake value is located. The leader by far in gravity feed smokers is Stumps. You may wish to go to his web site and product photos will show how the coal shute is constructed. http://www.stumpssmokers.com/products1.htm I hope this helps.
Thanks
Mike
Swinebuck