Help and / or advice on Smoker Mods

Dr. Evil · October 25, 2009, 03:25:58 PM

Hi Guys,

I did a little work on my smoker today - with the hope of using the thing when winter comes (much too cold here to use it outside). Anyway, my plan is to use it in the garage and vent the smoke outside. Today was the trial run and Im not sure if this is going to work as there is a lot of moisture at the end of the dryer vent.

I have the vent open all the way - seems like a lot of moisture. Is this a problem with the setup (Im under the assumption that moisture buildup in the smoker isnt good).

So what do you think? Good? Bad? Real bad?

And advice/thoughts/tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

JGW · October 25, 2009, 03:45:15 PM

You definitely do not want moisture dripping back into the smoker.

Just spitballin here, but try setting a box on top, with the hose offset from the side (somewhat away from the top hole in the smoker). Might even want to mount a computer fan to blow the smoke through the hose. I would think this would allow the smoke to exit, and would eliminate moisture dripping back into the smoker. Been thinking about doing something similar so when the rain/cold comes I'm set.

HawkeyeSmokes · October 25, 2009, 04:10:47 PM

The first thing I would change is to have that vent pipe going up and exiting at a height above the top of the smoker. The natural flow of heat and smoke is to rise so that would help. Adding a duct fan into it would be a good idea also, but you would want to raise that piece that sits on the smoker up a little bit to create an air gap. That will prevent the fan from drawing the heat out of you smoker.

Hopefull Romantic · October 25, 2009, 04:23:02 PM

I agree with Hawkeye here. I would also recommend that you lessen corners in the tube and make it shorter. The longer you expose the smoke to a cold surface the higher would be the possibility for condensation.

HR

mikeradio · October 25, 2009, 08:55:15 PM

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=11554.msg127689#msg127689

Heres a link to my setup , it is working very well, once I added the fan in line. It is great having the smoker setup all time in the garage.

Mike

classicrockgriller · October 25, 2009, 11:11:17 PM

Dr E....just remeber, moisture is heavier than air. treak the vent tube

Dr. Evil · October 26, 2009, 07:46:57 AM

Yeah, Ive come to the conclusion this isnt the best design - it was an experiment and Im very much a novice. I would like to vent the smoker out the garage wall but for a few months more were in a rental.

Looks like I should have tried ABS pipe instead of aluminum.

Thanks everyone. ;D

HawkeyeSmokes · October 26, 2009, 02:08:14 PM

Quote from: Dr. Evil on October 26, 2009, 07:46:57 AM
Looks like I should have tried ABS pipe instead of aluminum.

Thanks everyone. ;D

The aluminum should be fine. Here's an easy fan that you could add to it.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xkk/R-100073963/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I was at Menard's today and they carry them in 4, 6 and 8 inch size. Price was less also.

Dr. Evil · October 26, 2009, 02:18:24 PM

Wouldnt that suck heat out of the smoker? I havent seen it run but I would think that would move a lot more air than is necessary.

Im not questioning you - just thinking out loud.

Thanks.

HawkeyeSmokes · October 26, 2009, 02:23:35 PM

That's why I would raise the piece on top of your smoker and create an air gap. You might have to use some trial and error to get it right. That should prevent it from pulling the heat out of the smoker.

Habanero Smoker · October 27, 2009, 03:00:24 AM

Or maybe use a rheostat or heavy duty light dimmer to regulate the speed of the motor.

watchdog56 · October 27, 2009, 04:23:15 AM

Is there a window in the garage you can set it next to?

HawkeyeSmokes · October 27, 2009, 05:34:29 AM

Quote from: Habanero Smoker on October 27, 2009, 03:00:24 AM
Or maybe use a rheostat or heavy duty light dimmer to regulate the speed of the motor.

Good suggestion Habs. Just make sure that it's a variable speed switch rated to control an AC motor. A light dimmer switch won't work for it. Here's a link to one. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015S1U82

Dr. Evil · October 27, 2009, 08:21:16 AM

Quote from: watchdog56 on October 27, 2009, 04:23:15 AM
Is there a window in the garage you can set it next to?

Negative.

Our new garage wont have a window either, unfortunately. So it looks like I will have no choice but to cut a hole on the garage wall when we get into our new house.

Tenpoint5 · October 27, 2009, 08:49:19 AM

I might not be the brightest crayon in the box, but from the looks of things the moisture is traveling down and away from the vent. One would think that this setup would work. Might make a mess in the driveway but it would work. Myself I just crack open the garage door and let the smoke fly makes the garage smell real good during the winter, as long as there is air oving around and it doesnt get too smokey in there.