Brinkman Smokin' Pit questions.

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njbill

Newbie
Original poster
Jul 4, 2010
9
10
I realize that this is a cheaper smoker, and looking at it in my backyard, it seems like there may be some room for improvement.  Anyone have any basic mods they think should be done even for a beginning smoker?

Also, is it possible to use the Minion method with a side fire box?  It seems like because the charcoal grate is flat, with no sides, it would be hard to stack charcoal up high enough to make it worth while to use, and still get enough airflow to keep the fire going.

Thoughts?  Opinions?

Thanks,

Bill
 
Here's a thread that will give you lots of good ideas.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/75110/horizonal-offset-smoker-mods

You can use the Minion Method (after you build a charcoal basket
biggrin.gif
 see the thread above) but since the firebox on these smokers don't seem to seal real well, if you start with too much charcoal, it will all want to light because of the amount of air the fire is getting instead of burn slowly.

Hope this helps.

Daver
 
This is a better start than I could have possibly hoped for...  The thing I was most concerned about is that when I ran the smoker last weeking, if the smokestack (wrong term?) damper was set to anything less than half way, I had smoke coming out around the edges of the lid...  Sometimes white smoke (bad, I know) and sometimes TBS, but either way, that's heat escaping that I could be using to cook...  And I believe the temp ran low...  Any ideas on how to combat that?

Bill.
 
Keep the smokestack damper open all the way when you are cooking.  Do not use it to regulate heat. 

Yes you may see some smoke escaping under the lid, but I never really worried about it.  I took it as a signal that I was smoking too heavy.  But then my family likes the smoky taste to be pretty light.

If the temp is running low, give it more intake air and/or fuel.  Don't try to "hold heat" in with the smokestack damper.  It will be much easier to get the temps up and control them with the charcoal basket, baffle and tuning plates or "manifold" as Tasunkawitko built.

Good luck and have fun with it.
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Dave
 
Yeah, I'll be headed for Home Depot first thing in the morning to pick up some supplies and start modding this bad boy tomorrow...  Thanks for all the help.

Bill

Edit:  Any thoughts on where I might be able to get some of the cutting done?  I live in a third floor apt. and I have neither the space, nor the tools, to do any real metal work.  I figure the expanded steal basket I'll be ok with my hack saw and some 2x4s, but I can't imagine trying to shape the baffle or the tuning plates in such a fashion.  Thoughts?
 
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Edit:  Any thoughts on where I might be able to get some of the cutting done?  I live in a third floor apt. and I have neither the space, nor the tools, to do any real metal work.  I figure the expanded steal basket I'll be ok with my hack saw and some 2x4s, but I can't imagine trying to shape the baffle or the tuning plates in such a fashion.  Thoughts?
I would try and find a welding/fabrication shop in your area and just have them do it.
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Dave
 
Yeah, I'm seriously considering doing such...  I've called a few welding shops, but they all seem to be, well, pretty hard to deal with.  I'm used to being able to do this kind of work myself, as I used to be able to just use a buddy's bench down in NJ.  Unfortunatly, now I have to deal with trying to find a shop that I can get to do the work for me, and I'm not enjoying it.  I was also hoping to get some of the stuff done before friday, as I'm doing a pretty big smoke all day friday, and none of the shops seem to be interested, nevermind willing to get it done by then.  Either way, I'll figure it out.

Bill
 
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