elkslayer
Newbie
Hey folks long time reader first time poster. I have been watching this thread with keen interest for quite some time and figured out how to mod my Char Griller Smoker Pro that I have had for nearly eight years. I have done a rebuild and made a few mods and keep the temps at a nice 200-225 pretty consistently on all areas of the grill. I Incorporated many of the ideas expressed here, and was surprised or I may have missed it as this thread is quite large.
The new side box I bought to replace my old one comes with two cast iron grill plates that when fit to the width of the smoke box and secured with two of the 3/4 " bolts from the kit, it creates one heck of an improvement. Even better it fits right on the two bolts at the end of the smoker and the ash pan guide rails for a level shelf that is solid as a rock.
Here is a shot of it outside the smoke box:
I then created a 12x12x6 Charcoal basket from someone I read on this thread or another not sure. I went to Home Depot and got the 24X24 expanded metal 3/4" diamond pattern. Do not go to the masonry section for this as the will look at you cross eyed and try to sell you stucco supplies. This piece is specifically in the area where screws and fasteners are. There is generally a small sheet metal and steel section, and it is hidden in here.
I cut it by measuring 6" from the corners both directions and then intersecting the lines making a 6"x6" square on each corner. I used a pair of aviation snips and cut the squares out. I then folded and secured the sides with rebar ties. Fits perfectly in the grill and only cost me $20 bucks for metal and a couple of bucks for the ties. I then filed down the sharp edges to smooth, and thirty minutes later I had a charcoal basket:
I will give the basket a try using the minion method this weekend on a slow smoke of brisket and ribs. I will let you know how it turns out. Again thanks for all the insights to modding this smoker and making it very consistent. I hope I was able to add something that someone can use in the future.
The new side box I bought to replace my old one comes with two cast iron grill plates that when fit to the width of the smoke box and secured with two of the 3/4 " bolts from the kit, it creates one heck of an improvement. Even better it fits right on the two bolts at the end of the smoker and the ash pan guide rails for a level shelf that is solid as a rock.
Here is a shot of it outside the smoke box:
I then created a 12x12x6 Charcoal basket from someone I read on this thread or another not sure. I went to Home Depot and got the 24X24 expanded metal 3/4" diamond pattern. Do not go to the masonry section for this as the will look at you cross eyed and try to sell you stucco supplies. This piece is specifically in the area where screws and fasteners are. There is generally a small sheet metal and steel section, and it is hidden in here.
I cut it by measuring 6" from the corners both directions and then intersecting the lines making a 6"x6" square on each corner. I used a pair of aviation snips and cut the squares out. I then folded and secured the sides with rebar ties. Fits perfectly in the grill and only cost me $20 bucks for metal and a couple of bucks for the ties. I then filed down the sharp edges to smooth, and thirty minutes later I had a charcoal basket:
I will give the basket a try using the minion method this weekend on a slow smoke of brisket and ribs. I will let you know how it turns out. Again thanks for all the insights to modding this smoker and making it very consistent. I hope I was able to add something that someone can use in the future.
