My Smoker Assembly

[RHNewfie]

Hey All,

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

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3103.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3103.jpg.html)

Built a wire charcoal basket

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3143.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3143.jpg.html)

Lined the bottom of the firebox

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3144.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3144.jpg.html)

Heat baffle

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3132.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3132.jpg.html)

[RHNewfie]

Extended the stack to the grate

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3134.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3134.jpg.html)

Stove gasket cement between the firebox and the cooking chamber

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3130.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3130.jpg.html)

[RHNewfie]

Sealed the door with high temp silicone

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3150.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3150.jpg.html)

The seal

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3154.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3154.jpg.html)

No chamber leaks

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3167.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3167.jpg.html)

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

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3147.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3147.jpg.html)

[RHNewfie]

Sealed the smoke stack

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3152.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3152.jpg.html)

Thin blue smoke (hard to see!)

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t292/rhnewfie/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3168-1.jpg (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/rhnewfie/media/Shack%20VI/Smoker/IMG_3168-1.jpg.html)

[EricF]

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

[RHNewfie]

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]

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

[jledou]

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

[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.

[pektel]

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.

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. ;)

[OLS]

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]

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.

[RHNewfie]

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

[jjirons69]

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]

:banger:banger

[RHNewfie]

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]

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

[Fordman4ever]

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

[DMK]

Do you have a Costco membership or someone who will let you tag along?
They carry the Nature's own hardwood charcoal, 8 kg bag for $12.69.
Its good stuff.

[RHNewfie]

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]

Do you have a Costco membership or someone who will let you tag along?
They carry the Nature's own hardwood charcoal, 8 kg bag for $12.69.
Its good stuff.

Agreed it's great stuff, though didn't see it when I was at Costco last weekend.
The Lowe's deal is $7.50 for 8kg. Think it was a 3-day sale so may still be on today.

[GWN]

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.

[RHNewfie]

Really? From what I read poultry was the most forgiving.

[tupacboy]

i would lean to pork being the most forgiving.... lean meats aren't that forgiving.. :)

[OLS]

Really? From what I read poultry was the most forgiving.
Oh, well, sure, in CANADA.

See if we were in France, then I would have to make YOUR bunk.
But since we're in Canada, you have to make mine.

[RHNewfie]

Oh, well, sure, in CANADA.

See if we were in France, then I would have to make YOUR bunk.
But since we're in Canada, you have to make mine.

I see you are making just as much sense as always Brad :r

[Jefft72]

Oh, well, sure, in CANADA.

See if we were in France, then I would have to make YOUR bunk.
But since we're in Canada, you have to make mine.

Movie reference me thinks. Bill Murray. Army.

[RHNewfie]

Lol, missed that.

[Jefft72]

Thanks for the pics detailing the work on your smoker. I am putting plans together to do some of the same mods to my smoker.

[RHNewfie]

I still have some others to do but the ones I have done have worked great. I really recommend the red rtv high temp silicone.

[OLS]

I am sorry that I failed to come back and respond to you, Jeff, yes that was a "Stripes"
reference. Not as good as Caddyshack, but right on the heels....John Candy says this
to a dim-witted recruit when they get to Germany. Candy is scamming and taking
advantage of the whole platoon throughout the movie, in a loveable, teachable way.

Also not to be missed.....

Russell Ziskey: You could join a monastery.
John Winger: Did you ever see a monk get wildly fu(&ed by some teenage girls?
Russell Ziskey: Never.
John Winger: So much for the monastery.

and

Captain Stillman: [spying on female soldiers taking showers] I wish I was a loofah.

[OLS]

hey Jeff, do some internet searches with the words ROYAL OAK and also STORE BRAND.
If you can find the two phrases in a paragraph, you might be onto a great generic charcoal
MADE by royal oak but for 1/3 the price....in the USA there are a number of brands that
are super-generic and made by Royal Oak. I know my usual store brand at Piggly WIggly was
Best Choice, made by Royal Oak.

http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=687.0

A quote from that page....."ways to tell if your store brand charcoal is actually made by royal oak."

" Look on the bag (usually somewhere around the Bar Code) for a product or SKU number.
If you see a number that starts with "RO..." or “ROY…” then it's made by Royal Oak."