My Smoker Assembly

RHNewfie · 06-27-2013, 10:09 AM

Hey All,

This year I got a horizontal offset smoker for Fathers Day. Very excited!

I know that there are many other models that are less hassle than the OS but it just appeals to me for some reason and I was willing to put in the work to make it great!

So I did a ton of research on all of the best modifications to help it reach appropriate temperatures and hold them.

Here it is in the box (Total cost was $208)

Built a wire charcoal basket

Lined the bottom of the firebox

Heat baffle

RHNewfie · 06-27-2013, 10:09 AM

Extended the stack to the grate

Stove gasket cement between the firebox and the cooking chamber

RHNewfie · 06-27-2013, 10:10 AM

Sealed the door with high temp silicone

The seal

No chamber leaks

You can see the foil wrapped fire bricks in the bottom. Also have a metal plate that goes over them.

RHNewfie · 06-27-2013, 10:14 AM

Sealed the smoke stack

Thin blue smoke (hard to see!)

EricF · 06-27-2013, 10:23 AM

Looks good Jeff! Have you done anything on it yet?

RHNewfie · 06-27-2013, 10:43 AM

Not yet, putting a chicken in brine this afternoon that I am going to cook Saturday. (Brine for 24, dry in the fridge for 24, and rub for a few hours.

Stevez · 06-27-2013, 10:51 AM

Looks great; if this is a new hobby to you, it will become addicting quickly. Congratulations and enjoy. Steve

jledou · 06-27-2013, 01:23 PM

Looks like you are heading down the hill at a good pace. Enjoy the ride Jeff!

OLS · 06-27-2013, 02:29 PM

Somebodies been trolling through the smoker mod threads at other forums...........
EXCELLENT reading comprehension and physical....doing of...stuff.
That's the fancy charcoal, too...Charbon du bois franc. I don't think we HAVE that in the US.

pektel · 06-27-2013, 03:13 PM

Wow, When I got my now dilapidated horizontal grill/smoker, I didn't even buy the smoker box. I bet things would've went MUCH more smoothly had I done the proper research and modifications like this. That being said, I've learned how to keep 225-250 on a horizontal style unit on which the intakes are rusted almost completely open.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLS

That's the fancy charcoal, too...Charbon du bois franc. I don't think we HAVE that in the US.

Nope. I believe that's what Canadians do with all the broken hockey sticks.

RHNewfie · 06-28-2013, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLS

Somebodies been trolling through the smoker mod threads at other forums...........
EXCELLENT reading comprehension and physical....doing of...stuff.
That's the fancy charcoal, too...Charbon du bois franc. I don't think we HAVE that in the US.

Yeah, just a little bit of research.

Other than briquet (which I have some of as well) that was the only lump I could get. Price is crazy though, like a buck a pound or more....

First smoke is happening tomorrow, rain or shine. Chicken will have been in brine 24 hours as of 1 today and then it will sit in the fridge and dry until tomorrow.

OLS · 06-28-2013, 07:09 AM

hehehe, ooh, Peter, you are always fun to have around, especially on a rainy Friday
in the hottest place in the US, or so it would seem. I am sort of in the same boat,
my grill is oriented pretty medium-long, and it doesn't even offer a firebox, but outside
of cooking for a party, I can indirect-heat some great smoked meat. After my experience,
I almost consider the firebox a hassle. I am sure (espec. with the mods.) that it is gonna
be PERFECT (with some experience). I can't wait to see what a meat sale is gonna bring
us picture-wise.

RHNewfie · 06-28-2013, 07:20 AM

Oh, and my Maverick ET73 is supposed to arrive today but I have serious doubts about that....

jjirons69 · 06-28-2013, 01:41 PM

Great job, Jeff!! A man after my own heart - I love to mod grills to be what they were suppose to be to start with. You've got a great setup now and that Maverick will only top the cake. Many years of good smoking/grilling ahead. Again, most excellent!

Expanded metal makes me happy.

Steve · 06-28-2013, 02:44 PM

RHNewfie · 06-29-2013, 08:49 AM

Well, first snag LOL. My digital thermometer was supposed to arrive on Thursday but it is nowhere in sight! I will have to wing it with the two old-school probes that I have... One is at least semi-reliable!

GWN · 06-29-2013, 10:07 AM

Awesome mods! Did you see that the big bags of Royal Oak lump are half price at Lowes today? Grabbed 3.

RHNewfie · 06-29-2013, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWN

Awesome mods! Did you see that the big bags of Royal Oak lump are half price at Lowes today? Grabbed 3.

Thanks for the heads up! I headed over and grabbed a few bags!

The first run on the smoker went 'meh...'

Food tasted good, chicken was a tad dry. Had temperature issues and couldn't tell how hot the grill was since I had no real thermometer so I finished the chicken on the gas grill after about 5 hours on the smoker. I did figure out how to get the temp cranked after the fact though by playing with the vents after the chicken came off. Pictures when I can get to it!

GWN · 06-30-2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHNewfie

Thanks for the heads up! I headed over and grabbed a few bags!

The first run on the smoker went 'meh...'

Food tasted good, chicken was a tad dry. Had temperature issues and couldn't tell how hot the grill was since I had no real thermometer so I finished the chicken on the gas grill after about 5 hours on the smoker. I did figure out how to get the temp cranked after the fact though by playing with the vents after the chicken came off. Pictures when I can get to it!

You're a brave man doing poultry as your first smoke. You'll find pork shoulder or baby backs much easier. I like deboning a chicken and then stuffing it and rolling it as I find it holds the moisture better, thanks to all the good stuff inside.

Fordman4ever · 06-29-2013, 12:26 PM

Looks awesome. I wish I had done the same thing with my smoker.

06-27-2013, 10:09 AM	#1
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	My Smoker Assembly Hey All, This year I got a horizontal offset smoker for Fathers Day. Very excited! I know that there are many other models that are less hassle than the OS but it just appeals to me for some reason and I was willing to put in the work to make it great! So I did a ton of research on all of the best modifications to help it reach appropriate temperatures and hold them. Here it is in the box (Total cost was $208) Built a wire charcoal basket Lined the bottom of the firebox Heat baffle __________________ σπένδομαι

06-27-2013, 10:09 AM	#2
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Extended the stack to the grate Stove gasket cement between the firebox and the cooking chamber __________________ σπένδομαι

06-27-2013, 10:10 AM	#3
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Sealed the door with high temp silicone The seal No chamber leaks You can see the foil wrapped fire bricks in the bottom. Also have a metal plate that goes over them. __________________ σπένδομαι

06-27-2013, 10:14 AM	#4
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Sealed the smoke stack Thin blue smoke (hard to see!) __________________ σπένδομαι

06-27-2013, 10:23 AM	#5
EricF Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Eric Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,004 Trading: (116)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Looks good Jeff! Have you done anything on it yet? __________________ It might taste crummy, but at least it's huge.

06-27-2013, 10:43 AM	#6
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Not yet, putting a chicken in brine this afternoon that I am going to cook Saturday. (Brine for 24, dry in the fridge for 24, and rub for a few hours. __________________ σπένδομαι

06-27-2013, 10:51 AM	#7
Stevez Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Steve Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 487 Trading: (7)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Looks great; if this is a new hobby to you, it will become addicting quickly. Congratulations and enjoy. Steve

06-27-2013, 01:23 PM	#8
jledou Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jay Location: Kansas Posts: 2,225 Trading: (27)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Looks like you are heading down the hill at a good pace. Enjoy the ride Jeff!

06-27-2013, 02:29 PM	#9
OLS Suck It Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Brad Location: TN Posts: 7,912 Trading: (19)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Somebodies been trolling through the smoker mod threads at other forums........... EXCELLENT reading comprehension and physical....doing of...stuff. That's the fancy charcoal, too...Charbon du bois franc. I don't think we HAVE that in the US.

06-28-2013, 07:09 AM	#12
OLS Suck It Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Brad Location: TN Posts: 7,912 Trading: (19)	Re: My Smoker Assembly hehehe, ooh, Peter, you are always fun to have around, especially on a rainy Friday in the hottest place in the US, or so it would seem. I am sort of in the same boat, my grill is oriented pretty medium-long, and it doesn't even offer a firebox, but outside of cooking for a party, I can indirect-heat some great smoked meat. After my experience, I almost consider the firebox a hassle. I am sure (espec. with the mods.) that it is gonna be PERFECT (with some experience). I can't wait to see what a meat sale is gonna bring us picture-wise.

06-28-2013, 07:20 AM	#13
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Oh, and my Maverick ET73 is supposed to arrive today but I have serious doubts about that.... __________________ σπένδομαι

06-28-2013, 01:41 PM	#14
jjirons69 Haberdasher Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jamie Location: Chucktown, SC Posts: 4,120 Trading: (94)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Great job, Jeff!! A man after my own heart - I love to mod grills to be what they were suppose to be to start with. You've got a great setup now and that Maverick will only top the cake. Many years of good smoking/grilling ahead. Again, most excellent! Expanded metal makes me happy. __________________ Somebody has to go back and get a chitload of dimes

06-28-2013, 02:44 PM	#15
Steve Dad Jokester Supreme Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Steve Location: 17 R 435648 3354895 Posts: 7,715 Trading: (6)	Re: My Smoker Assembly __________________ ...So don't sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied, Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance that tide

06-29-2013, 08:49 AM	#16
RHNewfie Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Oooooh Canadaaaaa Posts: 2,007 Trading: (15)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Well, first snag LOL. My digital thermometer was supposed to arrive on Thursday but it is nowhere in sight! I will have to wing it with the two old-school probes that I have... One is at least semi-reliable! __________________ σπένδομαι

06-29-2013, 10:07 AM	#17
GWN Snow City Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Barrie, Ontario Posts: 898 Trading: (10)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Awesome mods! Did you see that the big bags of Royal Oak lump are half price at Lowes today? Grabbed 3. __________________

06-29-2013, 12:26 PM	#20
Fordman4ever Redneck driving a ricer!! Join Date: Dec 2010 First Name: Earl Location: A place too cold to smoke outside Posts: 2,508 Trading: (26)	Re: My Smoker Assembly Looks awesome. I wish I had done the same thing with my smoker. __________________