I built my first drum with two 1" valves. One poster said to go to 3/4". I am of the mind of give it lots of air. I think that more air can raise the temp to a zone good for the food. And be able to close the air down to a nice 240 for easy cooking.. A lot of pictures here have had four valves. Four valves at 3/4 will deliver 3" of air. Would it be better to go to 1 1/2" valves times two?
Being an old stick burner builder. I have to re think a few things.
The attached picture, is a cooker under construction. Drums are far more fun.
IMO, only 3 intakes are needed and yes, 3/4" seems to give optimum performance.
1 with a ball valve and the other 2 with caps, plugs or magnets!
I can run from 180 to 350 with that set-up.
Rubbed, Smoked and Sauced BBQ Team sponsored by Barsleaks/Rislone
Authorized Backwoods dealer.
B.O.D. GLBBQA
Pitmaster - Lockharts BBQ of Royal Oak
Owner-Great Lakes BBQ Supply Co.
I don't know what the actual temp is, but it cooks the way I want it to, so I don't guess it really matters.
I like the valves. I don;t like having to squat down and unscrew caps. Besides that, if you use valves all the way around, you can fine tune each one.
The coldest weather I've ever cooked on my drum in was about 20° and windy, and 1-3/4" valve with one 1-3/4 " hole was plenty of intake. Not only that, but the valve wasn't even open halfway.
Personally, with the climate what it is down here, I can;t imagine ever needing two 3/4"ers all the way open.
If you're an old stickburner builder, remember, you are working with an oxygen starved fire in the drums. You don;t need or want a fraction of the draft that a stickburner would need.
Four valves at 3/4 will deliver 3" of air. Would it be better to go to 1 1/2" valves times two?
Remember you're working with round holes not square holes.
Area of a circle = 3.14 x radius x radius
Four 3/4" holes will give you 1.77 square inches of opening.
Two 1 and 1/2" holes will give you 3.53 square inches of opening.
Three 3/4" holes will give you 1.32 square inches of opening
Originally Posted by Bbq Bubba
IMO, only 3 intakes are needed and yes, 3/4" seems to give optimum performance.
1 with a ball valve and the other 2 with caps, plugs or magnets!
Remember you're working with round holes not square holes.
Area of a circle = 3.14 x radius x radius
Four 3/4" holes will give you 1.77 square inches of opening.
Two 1 and 1/2" holes will give you 3.53 square inches of opening.
Three 3/4" holes will give you 1.32 square inches of opening
You said you didn't like bending over, now you want to reach down 3 times???
Originally Posted by SmokyOkie
I really like the looks of the 4 ball valves on 90s with conduit straps. It looks like some sort of mad scientist's invention or something.
Looks great!
Works for chit!
Rubbed, Smoked and Sauced BBQ Team sponsored by Barsleaks/Rislone
Authorized Backwoods dealer.
B.O.D. GLBBQA
Pitmaster - Lockharts BBQ of Royal Oak
Owner-Great Lakes BBQ Supply Co.
I don't know what the actual temp is, but it cooks the way I want it to, so I don't guess it really matters.
I just use one 3/4" ball valve. It gives ALL the air you need and allows close control. The exhaust is important, have to have enough, I use six 1" holes evenly spaced around the lid perimeter.
If you supply a lot of air with multiple valves, plugs, whatever, to the charcoal in a drum you WILL have a FIRE. As in FLAMES.
And a good chance of nothing to eat. And no paint on a good portion of your drum. And maybe the local Fire Dept. paying a visit.
But what do I know?
Build what YOU like. You'll see.
"If you can't smell smoke it ain't a barbeque joint" peculiarmike
TQJ Plankowner
"Life's tough.....It's even tougher if you're stupid." - John Wayne
Intake valve size?
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Originally Posted by Boss Cooker
