CtTradArcher
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- May 20, 2013
- Location
- West...
I have a New Braunfels Black Diamond offset that I have recently resurrected. I am thinking of modifying the firebox by simply moving it down.
A little about the smoker and my reasoning:
Smoker:
Cooking chamber is 16" diameter by 34" long. Firebox is the same diameter, 17" long, so about half the size of the cooking chamber.
The firebox is bolted on and is located such that the top is half way down the cooking chamber. The opening into the cooking chamber is approximately 10" wide x 6.5" tall.
Reasoning:
Smoker runs very hot at the firebox end and according to Feldman's pit calculator, the opening is twice as big as it needs to be.
By moving the firebow down 3.25", I will decrease the opening by about half, which according to Feldman's still just a bit bigger than needed.
It will also move a lot of the radiant heat below the cooking chamber, which I hope lowers the temp at the firebox end of the cooking chamber.
Lastly, it will lower where the heat enters the cooking chamber to below grate level.
The mod should be pretty easy to do and not permanent if it doesn't work. My plan is to just make a plate to bolt to both sides using the existing holes.
Does anyone see any shortcomings with the idea? Or agree with the reasoning?
Thanks!
A little about the smoker and my reasoning:
Smoker:
Cooking chamber is 16" diameter by 34" long. Firebox is the same diameter, 17" long, so about half the size of the cooking chamber.
The firebox is bolted on and is located such that the top is half way down the cooking chamber. The opening into the cooking chamber is approximately 10" wide x 6.5" tall.
Reasoning:
Smoker runs very hot at the firebox end and according to Feldman's pit calculator, the opening is twice as big as it needs to be.
By moving the firebow down 3.25", I will decrease the opening by about half, which according to Feldman's still just a bit bigger than needed.
It will also move a lot of the radiant heat below the cooking chamber, which I hope lowers the temp at the firebox end of the cooking chamber.
Lastly, it will lower where the heat enters the cooking chamber to below grate level.
The mod should be pretty easy to do and not permanent if it doesn't work. My plan is to just make a plate to bolt to both sides using the existing holes.
Does anyone see any shortcomings with the idea? Or agree with the reasoning?
Thanks!