Grill/smoker chimney

[NickDanger]

I'm building a grill/smoker (I know the difference - this one's going to be a hot smoker with offset firebox, direct heat capacity and gas jets for grilling). Is there any real reason for a chimney or smokestack? As opposed to just a vent to help control smoke and heat?

 

[longyak]

They draw more air than vents do and thus pull the smoke and heat out of the fire box and into the pit much better.

 

[CelisHorn]

Will this smoker be a permanent fixture? If so, i'd like to see pictures as you go if you could do that.

 

[NickDanger]

This one will be almost impossible to duplicate. Not because I'm good or clever or anything, but because the starting point is a 3 foot tall metal tub that is 34" in diameter. Imagine a 1 quart round tupperware, only lots bigger and made of metal. These tubs were used to ship helicopter rotors in the late 50's or so, I think. I bought out the last of the known supply (4) at an aircraft junkyard. My father had previously used 1 of mine to replace one he had before that one. I tried to explain to him countless times that if you cut open the top, let them get rained on and then use them to store wet ashes, they won't last very long. They lasted about 12 years each. I built one with a rain guard and built a BBQ pavilion to cover it and that one hasn't even needed to be repainted in 7 or 8 years. We bur down mesquite and oak and such out at the ranch and shovel coals into them.

I'm thinking seriously about doing an offset firebox, but down the road. Instead of a grate made out of expanded metal, I'm using cast iron.

I'll try to take some pics, but if you or anyone else wants to see them on a thread I'll need some coaching on how to post them.