Discussion about Reverse Flow Smokers
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 25th, 2019, 3:17 pm
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ajfoxy
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by ajfoxy » March 25th, 2019, 6:09 pm
Nice. I like it, a nice compact unit.
Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
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Big T
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by Big T » March 25th, 2019, 8:08 pm
Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
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towtruck
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by towtruck » March 26th, 2019, 11:31 am
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Dirtytires
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by Dirtytires » March 26th, 2019, 6:43 pm
Look like you could easily cut off 20-30 inches on that tongue and make it even more compact if you wanted. Nice job.
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 26th, 2019, 6:45 pm
Funny you mention that. I actually planned on cutitng it down and then adding more support to it as well. Thinking 18-24" shorter. Maybe more, just have to see what looks right.
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Dirtytires
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by Dirtytires » March 26th, 2019, 6:48 pm
It only has to be long enough to allow the trailer to turn....right?
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 26th, 2019, 6:51 pm
Sure! Lol! Honestly I like it long just for backing purposes, but I think a little tongue weight will help me some also. Plus it will look better overall too I think. Speaking of looks, kinda want to do something under the CC, kinda looks weird being so open...
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ajfoxy
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by ajfoxy » March 26th, 2019, 6:57 pm
Storage! Or a pull out fridge for the beer

Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
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Dirtytires
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by Dirtytires » March 26th, 2019, 7:03 pm
I would have stacked my logs under there...
Agree that backing up a trailer with a longer tongue is more forgiving. On a smoker tho, I would want it as absolutely short as possible. It will spend the majority of is time in the garage or out in the yard cooking. The number of people (mostly you) who have to walk around it greatly out number the number drivability factor.
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 27th, 2019, 8:14 am
Dirtytires wrote:I would have stacked my logs under there...
Agree that backing up a trailer with a longer tongue is more forgiving. On a smoker tho, I would want it as absolutely short as possible. It will spend the majority of is time in the garage or out in the yard cooking. The number of people (mostly you) who have to walk around it greatly out number the number drivability factor.
I considered that as I was building the log rack. It's still an option but I figured it would be a pain dragging logs out. Conveniently my cheapo Walmart cooler fits under there perfect. May have to grab a couple to just leave with it. Kinda thinking a grill/cowboy cooker type thing in the gap between the wood rack and tool box. Really want a pizza oven but I think it's more project and weight than I want to deal with right now.
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 27th, 2019, 8:14 am
ajfoxy wrote:Storage! Or a pull out fridge for the beer

Can never have too much storage!!!!
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Chromeski
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by Chromeski » March 27th, 2019, 3:24 pm
Looks great. Dont melt your cooler with it too close to the firebox. That's embarrassing... and smells bad too.
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 27th, 2019, 3:28 pm
Chromeski wrote:Looks great. Dont melt your cooler with it too close to the firebox. That's embarrassing... and smells bad too.
Good point. Would probably be just for transport purposes. Although the truck bed has plenty of room so not necessary even....
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 28th, 2019, 2:30 pm
So as long as the rain holds off intend to have this thing seasoned tommorow. If it falls through maybe Saturday or next weekend. It will have a seasoning through it at least before the next step.
So my question for today. Paint. I got a buddy that runs a big truck shop. Does custom paint and whatnot. So it's gonna be getting sandblasted and painted here in a couple weeks. Do I go plain ol boring black or do something a little different. I was pretty set on black with old school hot rod flames for a long time, but not sure how it will look honestly. Any ideas?
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Chromeski
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by Chromeski » March 28th, 2019, 7:03 pm
Black is good something different really make it stand out. The other option is to paint to match your tow rig... what color is your pickup?
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 28th, 2019, 7:05 pm
I say it's silver. Some says it's gold. Either way it's temporary. If I ever get my J10 done it will be synergy green, might be a bit much for a smoker lol! Black is just so normal and boring lol!
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Chromeski
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by Chromeski » March 28th, 2019, 7:07 pm
If you don't want boring then synergy green it is . Can also paint trailer different than the smoker give out that two tone look... don't let a little rain stop you from seasoning
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 28th, 2019, 7:10 pm
I wasn't sure if the rain would affect the seasoning process or not honestly.
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ajfoxy
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by ajfoxy » March 28th, 2019, 9:34 pm
Not unless you get some monsoonal deluge. I'd season her anyway. It will take a few hours. And a synergy green smoker means you'll never loose it in the yard. Just about visible from space. But a nice colour all the same.
Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
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Big T
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by Big T » March 28th, 2019, 10:45 pm
You've done a great job!! I just noticed the location of your shelf on the front of the cooker and I speak from experience when I say that I think that you're going to wish that it was lower. I had a shelf at the same height and I had to move anything that was on the shelf before I opened the doors. I plan to make mine about 6'' - 8'' lower when I get to the next phase of my makeover. I'm certainly not criticizing your build, I just thought I'd give you something to consider before you blast and paint it.

Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 29th, 2019, 6:34 pm
Big T wrote:You've done a great job!! I just noticed the location of your shelf on the front of the cooker and I speak from experience when I say that I think that you're going to wish that it was lower. I had a shelf at the same height and I had to move anything that was on the shelf before I opened the doors. I plan to make mine about 6'' - 8'' lower when I get to the next phase of my makeover. I'm certainly not criticizing your build, I just thought I'd give you something to consider before you blast and paint it.

Thank you!!
So I screwed up big.
But first. Got the hitch shortened and braces added. No pics yet. Then decided to drag it outside and season her up. Got my first started hosed it down and everything was going great. I wanted it to be a little hot to get all the crap burnt off so I added an extra split or 2. Big mistake. Got it way to hot. Before starting my WC door was kinda tight, all the others were nice and perfect. Now the WC is perfect. The left CC door catches and the firebox door is almost unopenable. Firebox was my fault, I missed a weld on the angle inside and it warped. Should be an easy fix. Think the same issue is the CC door problem. Also my wood is crazy wet and I'm gonna have to find some different for now. On the plus side the seasoning looks nice inside. Definitely gonna be a huge learning curve with this thing! Also on the plus side, left side was only showing 10-15 degrees higher than the right side.
On the rack. I agree. I probably should be lower. Thinking about another one off the firebox that slides out. Kinda make an L. Maybe not though. Not sure yet.
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 29th, 2019, 9:10 pm
Just went back out and checked. Doors are normal now. I guess I just had it WAY to hot! It warmed up like my electric, 30min lol! Live and learn...
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Big T
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by Big T » March 29th, 2019, 9:25 pm
I'm glad to hear that it didn't warp anything. There's definitely a learning curve to using an RF but once you figure it out, there's no going back imo. Most of us that have never used an RF that is correctly built don't realize hoe small that the fire has to be to maintain cooking temps so we build a raging fire the first time out.
Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
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hutcho
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by hutcho » March 29th, 2019, 9:31 pm
Big T wrote:I'm glad to hear that it didn't warp anything. There's definitely a learning curve to using an RF but once you figure it out, there's no going back imo. Most of us that have never used an RF that is correctly built don't realize hoe small that the fire has to be to maintain cooking temps so we build a raging fire the first time out.
That's exactly what I did lol! It was still at 150 when I checked and there was barely any coals left. I'm gonna start next time with 2 baskets of charcoal still but only 1 split lol!
I'm just so used to my electric. It's up to temp in under 30min. So naturally when I watch it not move for a few minutes I get the urge to make more fire lol! I'm gonna plan on an hour warm up next time.
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