vertical smoker question

[golfpro2301]

I have a question for vertical insulated smokers. Lets say you have a vault style cooker with water pan. If you wanted 250* in cooking chamber roughly how hot is the firebox. Is there a rule of thumb ratio like 2:1

 

[themule69]

No rule of thumb. You just do what it takes to make it happen.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[brownpeter335]

I want to wish you the same "Happy smoke".

 

[mdboatbum]

Sounds like you need to relocate your thermometer from the firebox to the cook chamber.

 

[golfpro2301]

I finally finished building my smoker and decided a good time to use it for first time would be at a competition. I know not the smartest idea. I had planned on using it as a stick burner in the bottom due to size of firebox. After getting everything all setup I found out my guru wouldnt work. I only have a ball valve on the side to control air flow and it wouldnt let enough air in to keep a flame burning. I cooked all night with firebox door open and the flame still had problems staying lit. I am looking at doing more of a minion method but wanted to know how close to the bottom of the water pan should the top of the charcoal basket be. I plan on making the basket bigger to hold roughly 40lbs of charcoal but as it is right now the top of the basket is roughly 9 inches from bottom of pan. thinking of moving it to within about 4. What are your thoughts.

 

[carlo olivares]

 
I finally finished building my smoker and decided a good time to use it for first time would be at a competition. I know not the smartest idea. I had planned on using it as a stick burner in the bottom due to size of firebox. After getting everything all setup I found out my guru wouldnt work. I only have a ball valve on the side to control air flow and it wouldnt let enough air in to keep a flame burning. I cooked all night with firebox door open and the flame still had problems staying lit. I am looking at doing more of a minion method but wanted to know how close to the bottom of the water pan should the top of the charcoal basket be. I plan on making the basket bigger to hold roughly 40lbs of charcoal but as it is right now the top of the basket is roughly 9 inches from bottom of pan. thinking of moving it to within about 4. What are your thoughts.

Well on the WSM, my waterpan usually touches the top of my coals when it is full. So 9 inches sounds plenty.