Silo Gazebo - Smoke Problem

Little Red Tractor · Nov 19, 2021

I'd talk to someone who builds fireplaces for a living. They generally understand the dynamics of draft better than the rest of us. Also, using dry hardwood is a big help. The punky stuff that most of burn in bonfires don't do well is open fires.

Handloader109 · Nov 23, 2021

Vent cover in top is way too low. Need 6 to 8 inches gap. if it is wide open, it would vent, IF the fire is big enough. That is the other issue, small fire would not carry heat high enough unless it is really cold.

NCAlaskan · Nov 23, 2021

Wow...lots of good ideas here.
The top hole is wide open to the stars.
I tried a box fan on the top and it seemed to help in round one.
I am also working toward the smokeless idea and looking for a quiet exhaust or inline fan that can handle some heat.

NormL · Nov 24, 2021

NCAlaskan said:
Wow...lots of good ideas here.
The top hole is wide open to the stars.
I tried a box fan on the top and it seemed to help in round one.
I am also working toward the smokeless idea and looking for a quiet exhaust or inline fan that can handle some heat.

When the smoke is hovering under the roof without exiting the two foot(?) hole I have to wonder just how hot is it anymore and is it really an issue for a fan, be it a box fan or a ceiling fan. Before rejecting those two options, NCAlaskan, I suggest hanging a wireless temperature sensor from the opening to get the real-time proof. My guess is that the smoke has cooled significantly due to proximity to the metal roof material which is exposed to cooler air on the outside. Granted, Once the smoke is forced to exit via the opening, the smoke temperature will not cool quite as much since it is not spending the time hovering, but it will still cool due to the lack of a confining effect of a flue such as a stove pipe or chimney. Just my 2cents + tax

Don1958 · Nov 26, 2021

open the manhole cover as well also put holes along the top of the wall steel to vent the smoke

DGZRT · Dec 2, 2021

Simple build a gas fire place . I took a wood burning pit with a table around it . Got it at Menards for 70$ I had a Turkey fryer I never used . Took the big burner out of the fryer and placed it in the bottom of the pan then laid Lava rock around the burner and cheap ceramic logs I found on clearance. I had to add a small cover over the air inlet and adjust it so it went from blue flame to blazing fire . This took me all of an hour to build and a 20# tank last for about 30 hours or more . No smoke and you can just turn it off put cover on and not worry about it . If the 8” burner out of the fryer is too small for you buy a gas fireplace burner off EBay

NCAlaskan · Feb 21, 2022

Update:
Test one: Father-in-law built me a smokeless firepit that works smokeless. That helps and dry wood helps but the problem remains. A little smoke and you are hacking smoke.
Test two: [Now to try your other ideas...]

Egon · Feb 22, 2022

As mentioned, a cupola.

Or, a fan set up with an inductor. Fan blows ambient temperature air.

Instead of the air starved fire pit build up a platform for the fire to sit on. Makes for better air flow and ambiance.

Somewhere, in the deep recesses of the mind, I recall something about “coreolis effect” Which might be happening with the design in question. Central core of rotating rising air that spreads at the roof forming an exterior core of descending rotating air that follows the walls downward. ??? Well above my pay grade!

ovrszd · Feb 22, 2022

First I would say, Indians didn't have chimneys.....

My Binzebo has similar lid system. On mine the lid can be fastened tightly shut or fastened in a vent position to allow stored grain to vent without letting in moisture. Mine is fastened in the vent position. We've never had an open pit fire but we've used a wood burning "stove" a few times. No smoke problem at all.

In your case, the top lid is not venting at all.

I don't have any closeup pics of my lid and the weather sucks right now so not going to go get any.