tuning plates or diffuser plate

austin buckeye

Smoke Blower

Original poster

May 29, 2014

102

33

Austin TX

• Jun 24, 2014

• #1

I have an Old Country Pecos smoker with uneven heating zones. It comes with a firebox baffle which aids in heating, however the chimney side, opposite the firebox, is cooler.

My question for the experienced smokers is should I use a diffuser plate or tuning plates?

what works best?

 

daveomak

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Nov 12, 2010

27,123

4,979

Omak,Washington,U.S.A.

• Jun 24, 2014

• #2

Tuning plates..... preferably above the opening between the FB and CC.... that is the only place they work well.... Then adjust the spacing to your desired temp zones.....

 

austin buckeye

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

May 29, 2014

102

33

Austin TX

• Jun 25, 2014

• #3

Would 1 or 2 5 inch tuning plates at the firebox and then a 22" diffuser plate work? Has anyone configured this type of setup? I'm sure the only way to know for certain is to just try it. I'm wondering if it has been done before with some success. Thanks all

 

daveomak

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Nov 12, 2010

27,123

4,979

Omak,Washington,U.S.A.

• Jun 25, 2014

• #4

Using tuning plates makes the heat totally adjustable..... a diffuser plate is not adjustable.... take your pick.....

 

austin buckeye

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

May 29, 2014

102

33

Austin TX

• Jun 25, 2014

• #5

DaveOmak said:

Using tuning plates makes the heat totally adjustable..... a diffuser plate is not adjustable.... take your pick.....

Click to expand...

sounds good Dave. Thank you

 

kwandtke

Newbie

May 18, 2014

16

15

• Jul 22, 2014

• #6

DaveOmak said:

Using tuning plates makes the heat totally adjustable..... a diffuser plate is not adjustable.... take your pick.....

Click to expand...

so for tuning plates .. I'm assuming steel plates .. what kind of gauge and where do you find them?

 

daveomak

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Nov 12, 2010

27,123

4,979

Omak,Washington,U.S.A.

• Jul 22, 2014

• #7

kwandtke said:

so for tuning plates .. I'm assuming steel plates .. what kind of gauge and where do you find them?

Click to expand...

You have them made at a steel shop.... cut to fit your smoker.... usually about 1/4" thick....

 

grillmonkey

Smoking Fanatic

Jun 15, 2014

850

80

Twin City, GA

• Jul 22, 2014

• #8

I have 3/8" aluminum plates that seem to work good and the overall weight is lower than steel (if that matters to you). I had the aluminum which I cut into plates to the desired widths using a circular saw with a metal cutting blade I got from Ace for $5. It makes a clean cut and looks professional. I don't think the metal cutting blade I used would cut steel that thick (I know my saw wouldn't), so unless you have a plasma cutter or something, you will need to go to a steel working shop.

 

Last edited: Jul 22, 2014