You better watch this before you build or buy a BBQ smoker
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- Опубликовано: 18 мар 2019
- Before you get out your tools to build a BBQ smoker, or if you're shopping for an offset smoker, you might want to make sure you have some critical dimensions together. We take a look at Feldon's Calculator and discuss why you should not use this calculator to judge the ability of an offset smoker.
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These are the smokers and other live fire tools we build:
Commercial Offsets by Primitive Pits: www.primitivepits.com
Backyard offsets by Workhorse Pits www.workhorsepits.com
Workhorse Pits Instagram: / workhorsepits
Primitive Pits Instagram: / primitivepits
Thumbs UP. Great job explaining everything. I am building a 500 gallon smoker. Doors are done. Starting the firebox design, then the chimney. Have a great blessed day.
Thank you for such a gracious reply, appreciate it.
When I built my 250 gallon offset the calculator told me to have a 16in smokestack based on my material measurements. I actually considered it and mocked it up and decided to extend the stack just because it looked so goofy lol wish the channel was around 2 summer's ago when I started my build! Thanks for the video brother!
It's insane how many smokers people send pics of asking if it looks right after using Feldon's that have major limitations.
@@BBQcheese my stack is 8 inches wide, I think what threw the calculator out of whack is my firebox is oversized for a 250 gallon, which I prefer because you get a few more options when the weather doesn't cooperate with a bigger firebox.
Man I wish I could come work with you building smokers. I want to build smokers so bad but nobody around me knows anything about smokers. Thanks for the videos man. I’m loving them.
come on!
Right? No one respects the art these days. I rebuilt a smoker i found on my towns curb clean up. Been in love ever since. Always wanted to actually build one.
While others binge watch fiction. I've found my binge worthy, non-fiction channel!! Thank you for all the knowledge and experience you're spilling out to us all!!!!
LOL Thanks for the kind words. I'm always saying when browsing YT "i will watch a little of this video" and then get sucked in for an hour! Ha
@@Quetorials I'm gearing up to start vending soon. For me, cooking is my favorite aspect. But the business end is going to take some research/tutoring/mentoring, etc.
“This is just barbecue. Why do we have to make it so difficult?”
Amen.
To pull off simply prepared food consistently is harder than you think.
Because we need clean fire not a white smoke :)
You should have your own show. I can't wait for more videos!
Just found your vids. New sub here. Looking forward to watching them all. I build my own pits because I love the craft and the food. Maybe I will see yo at Texas monthly BBQ fest this year.
I disagree with you analysis of the Feldon's calculator. It has been very helpful in tweaking and shaping my offset. I learned that my stack was a little too short, and my fire box inlet was too small. When I used the calculator to change according after inputting my dimensions, I noticed my pit was so much more efficient, and my bbq got better. The Feldon's calculator site states that an oversized firebox is preferable, and at the top in writing it says this is a guide to help you, kind of like you saying you need to look at every pit differently. If you take this calculator as end all be all, it's not what I got from the fine print which you might have missed. Use the calculator people, it's a GREAT guide.
Very nice video and information, I have a 8' X 3' tank and just bought a sheet of 1/2" steel for the fire box but limited to 27" X 36", I don't think now after watching this video the firebox will be large enough as I was using the Feldon's Calculator as a reference, maybe best to just use 5' of the tank and the metal I have for the fire box tks.
Excellent resource, thanks!
Wish I would of seen this before I got my friend to make cooker, don't get me wrong it Cooks great I did get a 4in smoke stack but put it about three inches above the grate and the fire box is kind of small, but like I said it works great just wish I would of seen your idea about the smoke catcher and 5 in smoke stack. I'll run it like this for a while and then see if I modify it in the future..like you that that Yoder..
I just bought the 1975t I can’t wait to get it
With all the spare time I seem to have on my hands I have been watching a lot of these videos and what I have noticed is the the fireboxes have grown in size so the wood will burn down as if you were using a burn barrel and then loading the coals in. The large space allows for the wood to get plenty of oxygen. Another thing that I am interested in is that a 1000 gallon smoker what is the flow rate over the food at the proper temperature while cooking brisket? It seems that that is a standard you could start with when calculating the stack to control draw over the meat. Then as a smoker shrinks in size you keep the same flow temperature rate and it should produce similar results. Great video's, thanks. Also have you tried a square stack? a fluid will flow through a square shape more efficiently than a round one. Seems counterproductive but it isn't.
Awesome videos and channel. Subscribed
Hi I'm building a smoker out of a 80 gallon propane tank, its going to be 19×48 with a 20x25 fire box how do determan where to cut your holes for smoker and fire box to connect and how big?
How should i determine the size of opening i need in between the fire box and cooking chamber? Using 24" x 48" C.C. and 20" x 27" F.B, both cylindrical. Thank you!
Heres a queation why not put the firebox directly underneath the smoking chamber with a baffle of heat deflection plate with 2 smaller stacks at either end on the smoker chamber. What do you guys think?? My theory is more even heat/smoke distribution and withbthe baffle plate it will stip the heat of flames being directly under the meat....
You at correct, following the feldon's calculation's seemed to complicated. Just build your pit and everything else will fall into place!
Well for me... it’s been what I scrounged for free.. first one was two old bbqs..... too much air contamination... it does work. New one is 60x20, with a 12x30 firebox, 7”x30” stack...From a Kenworth, no collector, grill height. Just about to fire it up. Thanks.
How many times do you Have to burn you new barbecue pitIt's It's a brand new still
so how do you size a smoker build?
Boy a long time getting going
Man, new sub here and I am loving your theories ! You’re making BBQ simple again , the way it started !
The Red Box reverse flow smoker takes patience to get it to work for you. Expensive and can be frustrating to use.
Thank you for a great video Sir! Liked and subscribed.👈
Thanks for the sub!
Love your channel was looking and the babe smoker !! Are you working with workhorse pits ?
King Kielbasa yes. I sure do
Awesome is the new babe model going to be released this moth in May?
I used Feldons on my 250 gallon RF... Seems to struggle for air.. Always have to leave door open too.. Does not seem to pull proper draft.
dragonz868 try adding a 2 foot to the exhaust flue. You can do temporary fix with coffee cans or metal ductwork. That should help increase the draw when running the flue wide open and control heat with dampener. You can add to the flue until you like the amount of draw and then decide on the length for a permanent fix.
What are my best resources to configure a beast cooker?
I am looking at 72" length, 48" Diameter for the main cooker area.
Since looking at the Feldons Calc and now watching this with a Firebox 48" Length and 48" Diameter?
48” diameter? That is pretty massive mass. Do you need that much diameter? No. What is the average amount of people you will cook for?
Thanks, I'm about to start my first build from a water heater
You can do it!
I'm just about to cut into my smoker tank its 30 x 78 and I found that calculator it tells me my firebox is to small I have an old wood stove thats 19 w 17 t 33 deep I have never built a pit but I thought shoot if I add a larger stack and create more draw and insulate it it would preform okay it seems to me if you can keep heat you don't need as big of a fire and you can always be burning clean am I missing something?
I'd shoot for 24" min on firebox. That size smoker would be great with a 6" stack
Is there a calculation you use as a general rule for firebox size? Feldon’s says 1/3 and you go bigger. How much bigger?
1/2 🤷
I'm so confused now. I think I'll buy me a store bought smoker.
why are there no 2drum upright smokers? i just want to know if this is possible and effective? thanks in advance
Rey David Lim Can you explain 2 drum?
@@Quetorials thanks for your reply. by 2 upright drums. i mean another 55gal drum ontop of an ugly drum smoker upright and vertically. it would look like a long cylindrical tube.
What about throat opening? Can it be to big? I know I can be to small. Just wondering your thoughts on this. Thanks for all the videos.
I'm beginning to feel like my idea of using an old 100 lb propane tank as the grill, and a 30lb tank as a fire box, is a bad idea lol Arg. I just secured free tanks too. The 30lb tank is 24 inches long but only 12.5 diameter. 100lb is a nice 48 inches long, but only 14.5 wide. Maybe cut up another 100lb tank and weld on sides for a firebox?
use what you got
Great video, even now in the year 2022, I have people ask why, as a pit builder, do I not use feldons calculator. My response is always the same, you can't pigeon hole pit building with such a calculator because there are other variables to take into account. And as mentioned in this video, I use a collector at grate level on all my pits, and size of collectors then come into play. But take any professionally built pit and plug the measurements into the calculator and it always spits out a smaller firebox then what's in use. I don't know about Feldon, but Aaron Franklin is someone I would say knows a TON about BBQ and his pits don't line up with the calculator either so................🙄
If you were to line your cook chamber and firebox with firebrick do you have to take into account the volume displacement of the bricks or no?
OK you have told us to take Feldon's cacl with a grain of salt. Can you clarify what we should be doing? All you have done is muddy the water.
So, with the mention of “computational fluid dynamics,” are you going to have to remove “primitive” from you name? Yes, I’m attempting to gracefully stir the pot. 😄 First video I’ve seen of yours as I look into smokers. With all facetiousness aside, I appreciate the content!
Jonathon Weathers good point lol
Great video once again. The stack on my offset is mounted on the upper half on the chamber (just like on a yoder) and im thinking of moving it down to grate level and add a collector. The air flow in the smoker is great so i think the size of the stack is just right. But do i have to consider changing the size of the stack if i move it to grate level? Does that make a difference in any way? Sry i know you dont have time to answer this type of questions but i give it a shot ;)
Anton Henriksson one thing to consider about a grate level stack... I built a reverse flow offset(video on my channel) I have two grates in mine, both are removable. The upper grate on my cooker is significantly hotter (more than 50 degrees) when cooking. This is sometimes good and sometimes bad. I guess it just depends on what your doing. If your smoker is pretty consistent throughout and you like it that way you may want to leave it alone. I am not as smart or as experienced as these guys but I think that the grate level stack is part of the reason it is so hot on top. Maybe it doesn’t matter where your stack is but it seems that all that heat may be kind of trapped up there.
What is a "collector"? Where does it go, what does it look, and what does it do?
It is the triangle catch basin surrounding the smoke stack. The function of it is to keep smoke/heat from bottling up around the exit and help a more even flow across the grates. It works pretty good. We did computation fluid dynamics on the exit to see if it did what we thought it did and it was dang close. It goes on the smoke stack side, to the right and left of the stack. Thanks!
@@Quetorials thank you for the response! Very interesting and helpful.
@@Quetorials I had a question if you don't mind. Is the size of the collector (from top to bottom) relative to the diameter of the smoke stack? Example. 5 inch smoke stack with a collector 5 inches from top plate to bottom plate.
Do you sell smokers? If so what is your company name?
I didn’t use any type of calculator when I first started building pits and they all cooked great. I learned about Feldon’s Calculator two years ago and it’s just that, a calculator. I teach high school math as well. We struggle with calculators in school. Calculators are as smart as the person using them! I find useful information on Feldon’s calculator then apply common building sense and everything turns out nice. If you are trying to use any calculator as the only source of knowledge you will be disappointed. I would suggest to use common building sense first then the calculator to check your answer. If you don’t have building sense then a calculator isn’t going to help you anyhow. Building pits is just like adding and subtracting not rocket science.
Agree on most Terry and thanks. Once we began (2017) using CFD analysis, we quickly realized that every offset built had never had any idea what was going on inside the unit. With some additional padding and a laser to fit, we began building units that burn + or - 3 to 5 degrees across 20' No every unit is near identical in performance. There is a good scale (not calculator) to use. I have a vid coming on that soon.
I have a 250 smoker how big should the fire box be on it? The one on it is hella small
how long is the 250 and what is the diameter?
82” length diameter 33”
@@rubenponcejr3801 32"-35" optimal
Ruben Ponce Jr you can go up to 42”
Quetorials thank you I will probably go 42” thank you very much for your time I appreciate it.
Call me Lazy I guess, I like my Ole Hickory CTO, my Oklahoma Joe Rider DLX, My Gateway Drum, and my reverse flow trailer, I just dont like sitting by the fire to make sure its all right. More Power to the guys who dont like sleep! Beast mode!
When you gonna go over the reverse flow smoker
I’ve watched this video 5 times. I’m still confused. Should I rely on the calculator?
Shane Bournival hey. No. Do not. The calculator is highly flawed
Thank you. I figured as much but when you were using it and manipulating it I thought you were telling us to do the same. I built an offset smoker a couple months ago for the first time I used two 100 pound propane tanks. It came out pretty good. I just acquired a 500 gallon tank. Can I use a 120 gallon tank for the firebox? Love the videos. I seen all of them and still watch them again when they come up in my suggestions.
I’m releasing a video with a calculator or formula very soon. Thanks
Quetorials can’t wait!! Thank you for your time!!
@@Quetorials cant wait for your version of calculator....i made a couple of pits using your guesstimations more or less and manifold exhaust grill level, of corse...i could see smoke draw even with lid open....unbelievable...thanks for all your help....new sub!
Do you sell smokers? If so what is your company's name?
We own Primitive Pits and Workhorse Pits
are those JBL's!
Lowerhaightstreet I might be the only one who understood your question! Haha 😂
Coin operated gadgetry 😆! So true
I was about to give you a thumbs down, but then I started reading the comments.
My wife bought me an old irrigation sand filter. I'll take measurements, use Feldon's, then consult you!
Woodglut has a very large project base.
I enjoyed and appreciated the content of the video, but it stopped just when it started to get interesting. I felt like I only saw part 1. Essentially you told us why you feel the Feldon Calc is outdated but not what to do instead. This certainly won't help any of those people asking for your advice.
I used that same calculator and built it within 25% of the recommended sizes with a 16in square FB . So far I’m 135lb of pork into its use & couldn’t be happier. I don’t understand your beef with said resource.
Jeremy Kastrup the firebox ratio will never be big enough and I am going on a limb to say not a single offset smoker builder in the industry spent the resources we did on computational fluid dynamics testing. That process solidified my philosophy. You building within 25% of the recommended size or 25% scaled?
I seriously thought this was going to be about the fact that smoked and charred meats cause cancer, not about building a smoker :P
lol coin operated, hope my pellet smoker didnt hear yah gonna have to go givem a hug just in case
How on earth did you manage to turn a smoker into rocket science???
Christine Mickelson lol because it is
Because it basically is rocket science lol.
1:20, Dope Intro....
Watching after, see how many mistakes I made.... back when the vid is over........
This video was extremely slow to get to a point and i likely missed a lot due to not being able to get through half the video. Here's a real easy, tried and true rule to building an off set. 11 minute video in a couple seconds. Fire box should be ⅓ the volume/size of cook chamber. And stack should be ⅓ the length of cook chamber. Done.
I've built 15,000 offsets. I own two of the most in demand offset companies on earth. I was trying to help but comments liked this made me realize this is a waste of time.
Hahahahah he make it hard I think he is the only one how build smokers
He build a great one.
Why not just slap some steel together weld it up put a fire at one end burn some meat and see how it Cooks/ smokes🤭 that's what I did.. great pork ribs I'll tell you.
Christopher Sanchez go for it. To get the offset to burn + or - 5 degrees and cook at super high performance then it’s a little more scientific
We achieve this with every smoker we build. Even 20’ long offsets
🤦♂️
This was a joke riddle. Right?
What the heck did I just watch man you were all over the place,🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
@@Quetorials I don't have to explain go back and watch it yourself it's self explanatory in my opinion which my opinion means nothing but just saying
14 videos buddy and you’ve cooked nothing lol come on man, you got an amazing rig out there, hurry up and show us how it cooks
hkmp5s doesn’t count
yea! I smoked biscuits! Nah my reason is there are 4 million cook vids and i just don't want to upload one unless i feel it has value. Oh, i've filmed at least 20. ha! @@hkmp5s
Quetorials at the time this comment was written it was 14.. you’re over twenty videos and haven’t done anything
I wanna see that 250 gallon smoker, and your excuse is shit, just cook on it, who cares if there’s millions of vids out there, I want to see YOUR smoker.
That was the worst video, you said that you have to follow the equation then you totally went your own way, ? What the !!
Michael Kerr over 500 commercial offsets built by our company for the some biggest names in bbq. I guess I should release our ratios. Very good point.
He used his own equation to build the best offset smoker in the world according to the social media groups i am a member of
Lost me with the calculator.
just buy a big green egg
Not the same results
@@Quetorials in your dreams lol
You obviously don't do your homework. Do you have any idea who uses his smokers? Green Egg? Wow. That's just funny right there.
@@darrenc3895 lol i guess you dont know what your talking about or can afford a bge
@@BBQcheese im not here to argue or insult--ive had good luck with my bge
Just get to the point man, a third of the video is just fluff. I want to get get to the goods!!
ok