I decided to go ahead with a couple of mods to my Joe before I started smokin in it. I didn't like the way the exhaust is situated on the end. I also want to add a baffle to deflect the heat as it comes out the firebox. I had my brother make me up a false wall and I have wedged it in to make sure it works the way I'm hoping before I weld it in. This way the exhaust pulls at grate level all the way across the end of the smoker.
I also made up a basket for charcoal out of expanded metal. Just bent it where I wanted it and put in a few bolts to hold it.
I did a test burn and loaded up 18 pounds of charcoal. I'm going on 4 hours now and the only problem I'm having is it is burning too hot. Staying at 290 to 300 degrees with the damper closed all the way. I think I'm going to have to seal it up better. Must be pulling air from somewhere. I found that with this exhaust setup the temps from one end of the smoker to the other only vary a few degrees after the smoker evens out. I'm still gonna put a small baffle in to deflect the radiant heat from the firebox. I'm amazed at how well this thing works. I couldn't stand it and ended up throwin in a couple of hamburgers for supper.
Threw a little swiss on em and ate em up. I'm gonna have to work on getting these temps down. I think this thing will burn 5 or six hours on a load of charcoal if I can choke it down enough. I know there are a few horizons and Oklahoma Joes out there. Any advice is appreciated.
I also made up a basket for charcoal out of expanded metal. Just bent it where I wanted it and put in a few bolts to hold it.
I did a test burn and loaded up 18 pounds of charcoal. I'm going on 4 hours now and the only problem I'm having is it is burning too hot. Staying at 290 to 300 degrees with the damper closed all the way. I think I'm going to have to seal it up better. Must be pulling air from somewhere. I found that with this exhaust setup the temps from one end of the smoker to the other only vary a few degrees after the smoker evens out. I'm still gonna put a small baffle in to deflect the radiant heat from the firebox. I'm amazed at how well this thing works. I couldn't stand it and ended up throwin in a couple of hamburgers for supper.
Threw a little swiss on em and ate em up. I'm gonna have to work on getting these temps down. I think this thing will burn 5 or six hours on a load of charcoal if I can choke it down enough. I know there are a few horizons and Oklahoma Joes out there. Any advice is appreciated.