Smoker Terminology
- Pete Mazz
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Smoker Terminology
I thought putting together some simple drawings of different smoker designs would help new builders with the terminology used here on the site, as well as the Pit Calculator.
Take a look at the Site Slang Database as well.
Reverse Flow ( RF ) Smoker The heat and smoke travel from the FB thru the throat area, under the BP, up thru the baffle plate gap, into and across the CC and out the chimney.
Offset Smoker The heat and smoke travel from the FB thru the throat area, up thru the tuning plate gaps, into the CC and out the chimney. The tuning plates are adjustable to even out the temps across the CC.
Center Feed Smoker ( CF ) The heat and smoke travel from the FB thru the throat area, under the BP, up thru the baffle plate gaps, into and across the CC and out the chimney.
Vertical Smoker The heat and smoke travel up thru the throat area into the CC and up thru the chimney. There is usually a water or drip pan above the throat that deflects the direct heat from the FB. The chimney does not have to be any certain length, more like just an exhaust. Typically insulated, they are very efficient.
Gravity Feed Smoker ( GF ) Fuel is added to the smoker thru an air tight door at the top of the chute. Gravity (hence the name), moves the fuel into the FB which acts as a furnace of sorts, and the heat and smoke move into the CC and up out of the chimney. Some folks use a controller with a blower but others have found that adjusting a simple ball valve is all it takes to maintain a steady temperature. Being airtight, the charcoal in the chute doesn't burn until it moves down into the FB as the used charcoal turns to ash. Typically insulated, they are very efficient and can be run for many hours without adding fuel.
More to come....
Take a look at the Site Slang Database as well.
Reverse Flow ( RF ) Smoker The heat and smoke travel from the FB thru the throat area, under the BP, up thru the baffle plate gap, into and across the CC and out the chimney.
Offset Smoker The heat and smoke travel from the FB thru the throat area, up thru the tuning plate gaps, into the CC and out the chimney. The tuning plates are adjustable to even out the temps across the CC.
Center Feed Smoker ( CF ) The heat and smoke travel from the FB thru the throat area, under the BP, up thru the baffle plate gaps, into and across the CC and out the chimney.
Vertical Smoker The heat and smoke travel up thru the throat area into the CC and up thru the chimney. There is usually a water or drip pan above the throat that deflects the direct heat from the FB. The chimney does not have to be any certain length, more like just an exhaust. Typically insulated, they are very efficient.
Gravity Feed Smoker ( GF ) Fuel is added to the smoker thru an air tight door at the top of the chute. Gravity (hence the name), moves the fuel into the FB which acts as a furnace of sorts, and the heat and smoke move into the CC and up out of the chimney. Some folks use a controller with a blower but others have found that adjusting a simple ball valve is all it takes to maintain a steady temperature. Being airtight, the charcoal in the chute doesn't burn until it moves down into the FB as the used charcoal turns to ash. Typically insulated, they are very efficient and can be run for many hours without adding fuel.
More to come....
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Last edited by Pete Mazz on January 17th, 2016, 5:18 am, edited 6 times in total.
If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?
Don't speak the language? Try this: Smoker Terminology
Try my SmokerBuilder Calculators
Don't speak the language? Try this: Smoker Terminology
Try my SmokerBuilder Calculators
- Rodcrafter
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Great job Pete!!!!!! This stuff will be a sticky and should be along side the pit calc too. You're right many people don't understand the terms until they're almost done building their first smoker.
Making memories.
Making memories.
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Yes Pete, I was not sure on some of the terms and read many posts to figure it out. Will help new guys for sure!
- Pete Mazz
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Thanks guys!
Added a Vertical and Gravity Feed smoker to the mix.
Added a Vertical and Gravity Feed smoker to the mix.
If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?
Don't speak the language? Try this: Smoker Terminology
Try my SmokerBuilder Calculators
Don't speak the language? Try this: Smoker Terminology
Try my SmokerBuilder Calculators
- SAFETYHARBORREDNECK
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- Frank_Cox
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Awesome job! Thanks for doing this!
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- forty_creek
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Strong Work Pete!
Drankin, Smokin and Dreamin
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DRANKIN, SMOKIN and DREAMIN
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- Big T
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Where's the old spam hammer when you need it ?????? 

Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
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Re: Smoker Terminology

And on the eighth day God created barbecue …. because he DOES love us and he wants us to be happy.
Current smokers: Egor (trailered RF) and Easybake (tabletop pellet drive)

Current smokers: Egor (trailered RF) and Easybake (tabletop pellet drive)
- Tom_Heath
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Awesome job. Pretty cool that my favorite is at the top of the listing of pics. The center feed.
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- Frank_Cox
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Re: Smoker Terminology
I just banned that guy
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- forty_creek
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Re: Smoker Terminology
The guy from Russia, that posted all Russian talk and made some kind of a bogus virus link
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- forty_creek
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Re: Smoker Terminology
I missed that! SMOKERBUILDERS so big Putin got em hacking in to the phenom!
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DRANKIN, SMOKIN and DREAMIN
- Frank_Cox
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Hahaha!
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- Big T
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Re: Smoker Terminology
I was beginning to think that I was the only one who saw it.
Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
- Rodcrafter
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Re: Smoker Terminology
I missed it! But I didn't miss the one today. Deleted
Making memories!
Making memories!
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
- Tom_Heath
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Was it a good one. ?
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- mp4
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Thanks. Now when I use the calculators I will know what things are...not just take a SWAG at it...
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Re: Smoker Terminology
excellent post for a noob like me. now i know that the kind of smoker i want to build is a center feed smoker.
thank you!
thank you!
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Re: Smoker Terminology
Hi,
I or you could explain the shadow plate and the recommended use.
Thank you
I or you could explain the shadow plate and the recommended use.
Thank you
- towtruck
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Re: Smoker Terminology
A shadow plate is a piece of metal installed where the fire box heat enters the cook chamber to disperse the heat better to avoid a hot spot at that location.
It is used where heat enters the chamber on center fired pits and those that have a hotter fire as it enters from the end of the chamber as well.
Think of a hair dryer blowing on your hand and how hot it would get. Now have someone hold a pie plate between the hair dryer and your hand....same principal it's just a diffuser (sp)
- MrsSmokerBuilder
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