Smokers come in all shapes and sizes and are made from many different types of materials. The proper sizing of the various components is critical to ensure proper air flow, a clean-burning fire, and stable temperatures. SmokerBuilder® is committed to helping pit builders construct the highest quality grills and smokers that produce the best BBQ. Our pit-sizing calculator allows builders to construct their own designs using SmokerBuilder’s proven design principles.

Start by selecting the shape of the cook chamber you’d like to build then enter the appropriate dimensions. This will be the basis for all the other calculations for your build. Once the information for your cook chamber is entered, you will see a recommended volume for your firebox. A properly sized firebox is key to building a smoker that is fuel efficient and reliable. An undersized firebox will require frequent fueling, will not produce a clean fire for cooking, and may not provide enough heat for the cook chamber.

Once your firebox information is entered, you will see recommended volumes for the chimney, the air intakes, and the throat. The chimney is the work horse of the smoker, drawing smoke and hot air from the firebox into the cook chamber. The air intakes are critical factors to providing the fire with enough air. The throat is the connection point between the firebox and the cook chamber. These three components need to be sized in accordance with on another to ensure proper airflow through the smoker and smooth, worry-free operation.

As you are planning your build, we invite you to check out our full line of parts to help you on your way. Please visit SmokerPlans.net For advice, recipes, events, and a helpful community of other builders at all levels of experience, check out SmokerBuilder® U.