Tuning plates? Need side box smoker help!

[timj219]

Originally Posted by tedrodgerscpa

Took the plunge today and picked up a Char-Griller 5050 (combo grill / smoker with a firebox on the side) for a cheap price. I have done a bit of research, and see "veteran smokers" referring to the need to add "tuning plates" to even out the heat in the smoker.

I've been using a CharGriller with side firebox for about ten years without any tuning plates and I get excellent results with plenty of smoke flavor and temps that are even enough across the cooking surface to make beautiful ribs, pulled pork, brisket, bbq chicken. If I was smoking every day and cranking out large volumes of food that needed to be absolutely uniform I could see myself making mods like this. But for back yard cooking it seems strictly optional IMO.
I'll admit though I'm intrigued. I think I'll see what I can rig up with some heavy duty aluminum foil for my next bbq. Strategically draped and perforated I can see it providing the baffle and plate function. And rolled in to a cylinder to extend the chimney down near the cooking surface, the foil might increase smoke concentration at food level.