New Big Block!

[olecrosseyes]

Just got my new GOSM 3605BGD $200.00 (by Landmann) Yesterday and broke it in tonight to see how the temps would do.

Vents all open, lowest setting on the gas dial, was 212 degrees. Played with it through just short of below the medium setting and got to 325. All along the way I opened the vents, top and bottom, (I varied them open to closed as I climbed the gas knob to just short of medium temp setting on the dial setting). I think I will be able to work with it.

Going to sell my old smaller version of the same now.

I like several of the features that this will provide me.

A few examples but most of all to;

Contain grease (has deflectors on the walls and an containment pan in the bottom)

Larger cooking racks so I do not have to cut in 1/2 ribs and briskets

More temp control, (thinking of doing a smoke generator mod to it for cheese and fish), Ok, fine I had an other thought for a mod as well but, old hammers just set in! LOL!

I think the temp on the door is not accurate

as I also had a probe elevaited to the same height of the door thermo. It held its own on low temps and varied through medium till I got to just short of meduim temp range and came back to true temp. I got to play with this some more.

At a late of night conclusion,
I think this will be something to play with for a while, meaning the unit as a whole and having to figure it out.

This is a simular type w/ four shelves. Got it from Bass Pro in Altoona, IA. Here is a link.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/st...3-000423c27407

And now on to it's first meat smoke! Wait, What! Introuduce raw meat into a virgin?

I'm thinking, ribs! Weekend! Yum!

And on we go!

 

[wingman]

I recently went from a GOSM to a Traeger Texas Elite. Here is what I plan on doing with my GOSM. Just an idea... Keep it and buy a medium smoke daddy for it. Drill a 7/8" hole in the side. mount the smoke daddy and use it for cold smoking Cheese etc.

http://www.smokedaddyinc.com/

 

[tjoff]

I have a GOSM Big Block and I gave up trying to use the therm. in the door mine is off by almost 70*.
I had a hard time regulating the temps so I did the needle valve modification and it was great. No more problems regulating temps and can control lower temps (150* to 175*) much easier also.
I would recommend the neddle valve mod.

 

[olecrosseyes]

I think I'm going to add a good thermo in the door and the neddle valve as well.
Do you have sudgestions on what and where I can find them on line?

 

[grillin_all_day]

Congrats on the big block....you'll really enjoy it!

I my therm. was also way off (mine is off by 30*), but I've had no problems regulating the temps. I have to keep mine set on the medium setting just to maintain 225*. Overall I've been really satisfied w/ it. I sold my wide body as soon as I ordered my big block.

 

[olecrosseyes]

I thought the big block and the wide body were the same unit? SO what model # did you have and what model# do you have now?

 

[got14u]

Here is a link to some needle valves and some thermometers
http://www.bigway.com/CARTgallery7.htm
http://westernsmokers.com/index.php?...od&productId=2

 

[grillin_all_day]

Nope, the big block is a little bigger than the wide body. The big block was actually discontinued when GOSM was still making them before Landmann took over. The wide body only had one vent on the top, while the big block has the one vent on the top, and the 2 on the sides. The link you posted in the OP is the one I have now, the big block (although the dimensions they list are different then what's on the Landmann site).

The wide body model is 3405BGW (dimensions are 18 x 25 x 43.2) and the big block model is 3605GD (dimensions are 21 x 21 x 45.2). I've got model 3605GD now, but used to have 3405BGW. Hope this helps!

 

[justpassingthru]

Along with the needle valve you will need some reducers, the hose on your regulator is probably 1/8" NPT, mine is, the needle valve is 1/4" NPT, these reducers can be bought on line like I did or at a Home Depot or hardware store after you have the valve.

If you do a search for 'needle valve' there are pics and a lot of good info here.

I checked out the needle valve link that was posted and they have reducers listed at the bottom of the page.

Gene

 

[olecrosseyes]

Thanks Guys!

 

[smokebuzz]

WTH??, why didn't ya tell me you up sized? I have talked to you since then ,I think. Never mind me missing your origanal post.

Good luck with it, may have to get a dozen and head down.

 

[olecrosseyes]

Yep went bigger, When I called you last Sat I was shopping for SS pans myself as well as thinking of you

. Now I can fit whole racks (Spares), (did 3 last Tue) and Briskies with out whacking them in half! Yea!!

 

[smokebuzz]

That will be much nicer for ya, still may have ta grab a box of beer and come see it in action.

 

[mudduck]

neddle valve you can used pipe fitings 1/8 to 1/4 here a link

http://www.bayouclassicdepot.com/nv1...urner_part.htm

3" RC Adjustable BBQ, Grill, Smoker Thermometer (100 to 550 F) w/ Free Shipping
http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Gri...2112797&sr=1-1
good luck i put my therm in on the right side grate level #2 rack from top
holp this help

 

[olecrosseyes]

Here is the one that I have. 16" wide bag is usable.
Pro360
I think that there is a new one out or coming out soon. I'd wait if there is,,,
Food Saver Game Saver and they can kma. (aka extremely not happy)
FSGS ^^^^ skewed me on their flagship model (8000) that was of the same size model.

 

[olecrosseyes]

Sorry the link that I supplied is the newer version.