Gosm Modifications

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leebo60

Newbie
Original poster
Aug 4, 2008
13
10
HANCOCK,MD.
I just picked me up a gosm gas smoker at Wal Mart, and I was wondering if any of you can save me the time of learning the hard way, and tell me what mods I need to make on it, that will save me some grief in the long run. I bought this thing for fifty bucks, instead of the normal one hunred, simply because of a dent in the upper corner, which will have no effect on it performance. Can't wait to try it out. (Finally, some control over the amount of heat).
 
I done the needle valve conversion for better temp control, also installed a better thermometer the stock one is way off.
 
The needle valve mod is nice if you want to do it but in all reality you can crank it up season it and smoke on it just like you got it. The only thing I have done to mine is I use an aftermarket chip pan.
 
Add some thermal mass, that be some bricks in the bottom of the box, heps even out them temps after havin the door open an such.

I added a stack ta mine, one heps the draw some, two keeps the weather outa my smoker!

Get yerself a remote readin digi thermometer, this will be fer the box temps. Nice thin bout this is, ya can do some other thins while it's runnin an gets an alarm ifin the temp goes to high! Yes you can have a fire, voice a experience there, so, this will give yall a heads up an maybe head off a disaster!

I don't have any troubles controlin my temp so never added the needle valve.

As Jerry said (pineywoods) Toss the original chip pan, I use a 9x9 cake pan, put my chips an or chunks in there, then cover with foil, poke bout 3 er 4 holes in the foil. The foil heps keep from havin flare ups.

Above all else, be sure ta add a big dose a fun!
 
You may not need the needle valve mod. It depends on which burner you have. I recently discovered there are two different burners that come with the GOSM. Your burner will either be about 3" diameter or 5". I have the 5" version and it runs hot. At the lowest setting I can only get down to 250 but I have two friends that have the 3" burner and they need to go to about 30% above the lowest setting to maintain 225. I would try out the GOSM with a full water pan to test the temps first.
 
Thancks everybody, for your advice. I smoked some chicken in it yesterday, and as far as temperature variation and control, I think I'll be alright with the factory settings. Maybe if I decide to make some deer jerky later on this winter, the needle valve may be an option. But on the other hand, if I make jerky, and the outside temps are 40 F, or lower, I don't think I'll have any problems keeping the temps low enough to keep from cooking the jerkey anyhow. I do like the idea about the bricks though. I have a few fire bricks laying around somewhere, and now I know what I can use them for.( I think the extra weight will also make the unit a little more stable, since it does seem to move around real easy due to the pretty thin metal that was used in its construction.)I sure appreciate everybody's input, and will always welcome any more great ideas anyone else may have. Maybe someday I'll be able to pass on some of my lessons that I have learned from my experiences. Thanks to all.
 
I have done all the mods I could find (except the stack-still thinking about that one). Mainly because I like to tinker. However, one of the best has been to add wheels. That makes it handy. I wheel mine out back when smoking and then wheel it into the garage for storage. I love my wide body. Its all I need for size.

dmack
 
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