250 gallon offset smoker
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- Pilgrim
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250 gallon offset smoker
I built a 250 gallon offset smoker using the feldon pit calculator. It seems to work but the temperature variation is pretty big I can't really get the temperature on the end of the smokestack over 200 F. The temperature varies up to a 100 degrees from one side to the other and the top grates run hotter then the bottom. Can anyone give me advice why this happens or how to correct the problem? How much should the variation be?
- GRailsback
- Chuck Wagon
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
You may need to add tuning plates. And the top grate is always going to be hotter. There is a guy on here that will be able to help you more than I can. He will see this and ask the right questions from you and provide accurate answers. His name is KAM.
- k.a.m.
- Chuck Wagon
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
Pics and dimensions would help.
Reverse flow or standard offset
Firebox size
Exhaust size and length
Firebox opening into the cook chamber
Fire grate yes/no
Intake sizes
Reverse flow or standard offset
Firebox size
Exhaust size and length
Firebox opening into the cook chamber
Fire grate yes/no
Intake sizes
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- Pilgrim
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
Try using our Perfect draft Blower it will reduce your wood and it provides a 124 cfms of airflow to get the temperatures the same across the pit
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- Pilgrim
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
It's a standard offset. Tank length is 30"x96", FB 30x25x27, smokestack inside measures 5.75"x 48" long. The FB to CC opening is a half-moon 25x8. I have no intake on the FB because I was told that I could just leave the door open. I'll attach a few pictures. Thx.
- Rambo
- Deputy
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
That’s really nice
- k.a.m.
- Chuck Wagon
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
Your firebox is undersized by about 10%
Your firebox opening calls for 20" Wide x 10" Tall. Yours is 25" Wide x 8" Tall so that may equate.
My biggest concern is no intakes. You see you have a huge chamber to heat and the heat smoke is taking the course of least resistance in my opinion and that is Right outside your door.
Now if you had an 8" exhaust on the cooker and could preheat the chamber I would say she could draft.
I would add a fire grate about 6" tall and add three intakes on the door 3" wide and 8" tall.
Like this.
Your firebox opening calls for 20" Wide x 10" Tall. Yours is 25" Wide x 8" Tall so that may equate.
My biggest concern is no intakes. You see you have a huge chamber to heat and the heat smoke is taking the course of least resistance in my opinion and that is Right outside your door.
Now if you had an 8" exhaust on the cooker and could preheat the chamber I would say she could draft.
I would add a fire grate about 6" tall and add three intakes on the door 3" wide and 8" tall.
Like this.
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- Pilgrim
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
Thx for the advice. I had installed an 8" smokestack already but didn't seem to really make a difference. I'll try if it works better if I make air inlets. I don't really understand what you mean with fire grate. Can you explain that?
- GRailsback
- Chuck Wagon
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
The fire grate he is talking about sits on the bottom of your fire box. It appears from your picture you have your fire built on the bottom of the box. That’s not what you want to do. You elevate the fire and the ashes fall and the bed of coals stay on the grate and keep plenty of air moving around them.
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- Pilgrim
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
Thanks!
- GRailsback
- Chuck Wagon
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
You can search around on the pit build section and find plenty of examples of the fire grates get mentions.
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- Pilgrim
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
I have another question. Is my smokestack to small? Or what would you all recommend?
- hogaboomer
- Rustler
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
It might be a little long, but not sure how much difference it makes. I had better luck with my smokers when I added door vents, instead of just leaving the door cracked open.
I'm also a tuning plates fan. Makes it much easier to control the heat horizontally.
I'm also a tuning plates fan. Makes it much easier to control the heat horizontally.
- k.a.m.
- Chuck Wagon
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
Artur wrote:I have another question. Is my smokestack to small? Or what would you all recommend?
I would have gone with 6" ID minimum or 8" max.
I am also not a fan of having my exhaust below grate level like you've done. I would have placed it slightly above the grate or at the top.
But my first alteration would be the fire grate and door intakes then go from there.
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- Pilgrim
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Re: 250 gallon offset smoker
It's my first ever offset. It perfectly makes sense that the exhaust would work better if higher. I'll install a slightly larger smokestack and make the modifications you all advised me to. I'll get back after test running the pit after the modifications.
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