Smoker

Johnny · April 27, 2016, 06:30:02 PM

Dumb question. Is there anything between the metal can of the smoker and the bellows?
Mine is open between the two so I don't know if I lost something or not.
I used it for the first time Monday and didn't notice the open space until I was empting it out.
thanks

Michael Bush · April 27, 2016, 06:30:47 PM

Just a gap...

Psparr · April 27, 2016, 07:09:20 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on April 27, 2016, 06:30:47 PM
Just a gap...

Actually air.

iddee · April 27, 2016, 07:13:18 PM

The fire has to have oxygen when the bellows isn't being pumped. It draws the air from that space.

Acebird · April 27, 2016, 08:45:44 PM

You may not realize that a bellows blows air when you squeeze it and sucks in air when you let it go. If there was not an (air)(gap) it would suck the flame and sparks into the bellows. So as simple as the design is the (air)(gap) prevents the bellows from bursting into flames and destroying the bellows or burning you hand. Some of the simplest designs have the positive outcomes. Don't attempt to improve the design, it works.

little john · April 28, 2016, 05:56:21 AM

Quote from: Acebird on April 27, 2016, 08:45:44 PM
Don't attempt to improve the design, it works.

It can be improved - quite simply - by attaching a small cone to the outlet of the bellows. This directs the pumped air more efficiently into the can. Details can be found on the Dave Cushman site.
LJ

Michael Bush · April 28, 2016, 09:39:54 AM

>It can be improved - quite simply - by attaching a small cone to the outlet of the bellows.

Quite a few of them have a cone on the smoker body for that purpose.

Jim134 · May 01, 2016, 03:25:12 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on April 28, 2016, 09:39:54 AM
>It can be improved - quite simply - by attaching a small cone to the outlet of the bellows.

Quite a few of them have a cone on the smoker body for that purpose.

It has been my experience if you buy a good quality smoker and not a knock off. This cone will already be installed
If you look closely at the smoker this tube is installed on the smoker side into the Firebox below the fire grate

https://www.kelleybees.com/Shop/11/Smokers-Tools/Smokers/4735/Blast-Tube

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Michael Bush · May 02, 2016, 10:08:49 AM

>Actually air.

Yes. The optimist thinks the glass is half full. The pessimist thinks it half empty. The physicist knows it is completely full. It's just half full of air and half full of water.

BeeMaster2 · May 02, 2016, 12:54:22 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 02, 2016, 10:08:49 AM
>Actually air.

Yes. The optimist thinks the glass is half full. The pessimist thinks it half empty. The physicist knows it is completely full. It's just half full of air and half full of water.

Hops Brewster · May 03, 2016, 12:23:39 PM

I think it depends on whether we are pouring or drinking.

Michael Bush · May 03, 2016, 01:39:30 PM

>I think it depends on whether we are pouring or drinking.

Good point.