just starting, but have a question

[truebaca]

hi I just put my brinkmann vertical smoker together. The instructions say I need to cure the smoker. I tried doing that today. I filled the bowl with charcoal, lit them, got them glowing pretty good. However, I could not get the temp above 150. Anyway I appreciate your help. Looking forward to smoking my first brisket and rack of ribs. I should say too Im in the north east and its slightly above freeing out right now, would that effect my temp?

ttrue

 

[BandCollector]

Welcome.........it could be that the factory temperature gauge is not registering accurately. Did you use a digital thermometer or were you using the one mounted on the smoker?

 

[mulepackin]

Was there any wind blowing? That will suck the life right out of your smoker, just like us. Windbreaks, location, blankets can all help with that.

 

[richoso1]

Hello and welcome to the SMF. You've found the right place to learn and share about smoking and good Q.

 

[fired up]

Welcome to SMF!

 

[bassman]

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you aboard.

 

[irishteabear]

Welcome to SMF. You'll find tons of information and lots of helpful people here.

 

[truebaca]

thanks everybody. Im going to give my smoker another test run this weekend. hopefuly it wont be a windy, and maybe i can get my temp up too.

 

[ol' smokey]

Try these mods, they worked for mine
http://brinkmansmokermods.com/default.aspx

Joe

 

[azrocker]

When I had a brinkman I had to drill some holes in the pan to get better draft. I bought mine used so it might have been a different setup etc. Just make sue the coals can draft well.

 

[cowgirl]

Azrocker beat me to it.

Holes in the coal pan will help a lot.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new smoker!

 

[crusty ol salt]

welcome aboard, i hope you are getting the help you need. but i need to clarify some thing...

are you asking about a brinkmann vertical or a brinkmann smokin' grill? it you are talking a true brinkmann vertical that sorta looks like my gosm vertical shown here



Here it is shown with a couple of brisket and the bowl filled with water the charcaol is burning below



i have help with my charcaol burn by turn a veggie wok into a charcoal bin that set into the factory charcoal box.



here is a pic with the water bowl filled with sand



If you need some help please ask and here are a couple more thread to look at
mods to charcoal bin
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=21571

water to sand switch
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=22175

 

[truebaca]

My smoker is a $60 brinkmann vertical. It looks a lot like the GOSM but it has two doors. One for meat access, one for charcoal and water access. from the sounds of things, I should drill a bunch of holes in my charcoal pan to get better draft. I will do that tonight. I also read I should drill holes in the top. Is that necessary with the vents already on the sides? Thanks everybody for all your help. Your making me feel more confident going forward.

 

[grothe]

Welcome to SMF truebaca....should be fine with the side vents at the top