Damper Styles

[TopWaterFrogs]

Thanks for all the help so far. Just have a few more questions.
1) Does the style of FB damper matter?
2) What are the differences between round, square and butterfly?

The picture below shows a butterfly pattern. I saw that if I have one hole at the fire and one hole to push the air inside of cook chamber.
3) Is this for only RF smokers?
Problem is top hole does not line up with my choke, so I'm not sure. The two round holes make up the air intake size from pit calculator.
4) Does the top hole matter that much?
5) is it better to go with a V shape for splits or just lay them opposite on bottom of fire box?

Thanks everyone

[Big T]

I've used just about every shape of intake possible and I haven't noticed any difference between them. I try to keep them as low as possible so that any air that enters the FB has to cross the coal bed. The basket in the FB is a personal preference in my opinion. The V shaped baskets make it a little easier to keep the coal bed together but I like the option of being able to move my coal bed around in the FB.

[Dirtytires]

You really want the air intake as low as possible on the firebox....below the fire grate if possible.

I agree shape is really irrelevant but I went with a rectangle opening with a slider so that it could be low on the firebox. For the record, I have had a pit with a butterfly and I was always cleaning rust and soot out from between the pieces to get it to rotate freely...it turned out to be a pain.

[hogaboomer]

Are you planning on cutting that on the line you have drawn? Is that top hole leaving enough room to get your door flange on?

I didn't have room to put a sideways slider on my door vents, that's why I went with the vertical slide. This version is a lot of knick knacky work, but it works really well. Chain gets a little warm.

[TopWaterFrogs]

Are you planning on cutting that on the line you have drawn? Is that top hole leaving enough room to get your door flange on?

I didn't have room to put a sideways slider on my door vents, that's why I went with the vertical slide. This version is a lot of knick knacky work, but it works really well. Chain gets a little warm.

Never even looked or thought about the door flange. Thank you for pointing that out. Sometimes I miss things.
I like your idea of making the slide. I did make a slide on the old door, but the old door is wrapped to crap. It looks like crap too! I can make the slide on the outside like your picture.

[hogaboomer]

It would be easier to put a hinge on the top and just have it open from the bottom, and prop it open somehow. I guess that might get in the way of the handle, though. That slide was a pain in the butt, because I cut them down from 1 inch angle.

[TopWaterFrogs]

Update: Damper style that Geezer and I figured out. I should be seasoning it by tomorrow afternoon. Dry run then some Back Ribs sandmiches on Sunday. Busy Saturday BOO!

[dacolson]

Cool. How are you going to keep it open? Balance it?


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[TopWaterFrogs]

Cool. How are you going to keep it open? Balance it?


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LOL I welded a nut on the inside and threaded the hole. it tightens up just fine. If the heat makes it loose then I will figure that out when the time comes. Probably just a lock washer.