New Brinkmann Trailmaster Vertical Smoker

[lionel47]

I probably will not use the gaskets on the firebox door. I looked at it while I was curing a couple of days ago and I think it's OK. It's the cooking chamber and water doors that I want to seal.

 

[lionel47]

Finally got a chance to do the gaskets today. i am ready to smoke.

Just a quick question: I don't want to leave my smoker out in the rain. My wife thinks I am over-protective. I am having a covered patio built for it but it won't be done for a few weeks. Right now the smoker's in my garage. Does anybody leave theirs outside in the rain? I can't even find a cover for it on the Web or at Home Depot.

 

[smokering90]

All I did was get a big tarp and cover it and use bungee cords, I wish they made a fitted cover for it

 

[kiingspade]

I sent you a pm. Thinking of getting this smoker but any other tips or any updates since youve been smoking on this, still recommend this

 

[country73]

Smokering90, any update on the smoker? How's it working out for you?

 

[smokering90]

I love the smoker it works great for me, it uses a bit more fuel than I expected but that's ok. I'm thinking about investing in the pitmaster IQ120. I've done a few racks of ribs that turned out perfect, a few pork butts and a brisket and they all turned out great. The only issue that I have is taking it to higher temps above 275, which isn't a huge deal cause I do everything low and slow. But the gasket system and the door latches sealed it up wonderfully, haven't had any problems with leaks or anything

 

[kiingspade]

I love the smoker it works great for me, it uses a bit more fuel than I expected but that's ok. I'm thinking about investing in the pitmaster IQ120. I've done a few racks of ribs that turned out perfect, a few pork butts and a brisket and they all turned out great. The only issue that I have is taking it to higher temps above 275, which isn't a huge deal cause I do everything low and slow. But the gasket system and the door latches sealed it up wonderfully, haven't had any problems with leaks or anything

Do you think there is a way to get above 275? Do not really do anything hot and fast though so it may be ok

 

[smokering90]

if you open the firebox door it climbs up pretty good, im doing research now on one of the pitmaster IQ110-120, im thinking with something designed to control temperature maybe it could get it up there. guess we will just have to wait and find out

 

[smokering90]

and by the fire box door i dont mean the lid i mean the cleanout door

 

[lionel47]

 
if you open the firebox door it climbs up pretty good, im doing research now on one of the pitmaster IQ110-120, im thinking with something designed to control temperature maybe it could get it up there. guess we will just have to wait and find out

When I was curing mine, I got it up to ~500F by fully opening both vents and opening the the firebox lid. I left both vents open and only opened the firebox lid for about a minute at a time.  But it shot up there out of the box with no gaskets or modifications.  Hope this helps.

 

[smokering90]

What about holding a higher temp?

 

[kiingspade]

 
and by the fire box door i dont mean the lid i mean the cleanout door

LOL I am glad to see you posted this cause I was reading your post and was like ummm I may have only been smoking for about two years but that sounds like it would defeat the purpose of smoking

 

[txsledgehammer]

Awesome thread guys!!!  I plan on getting this smoker this weekend and ordering the gaskets/mods.  Question I have is, what do you recommend using to make a basket for the coals/wood for the fire box.  Materials, their size, and basket's dimensions and where to purchase.  Thanks in advance!

 

[smokering90]

I went to Home Depot and bought a 24x24 sheet of expanded metal it was like 18 bucks. You can search on here or go to youtube and search "charcoal basket no welding" and a pretty good video comes up

 

[lionel47]

I went to Home Depot and bought a 24x24 sheet of expanded metal it was like 18 bucks. You can search on here or go to youtube and search "charcoal basket no welding" and a pretty good video comes up

So, now I'm wondering what the benefits of this modification are. Is the purpose to hold the coals/wood higher in the firebox so more air can get in?

 

[smokering90]

It helps to get longer burn times because your coals are together so it's a little more controlled. It's makes it easier in my opinion to do a minion method because the coals stay in your basket once they burn down they are still all together where if there was no basket they could potentially fall around. I would build one, use it see if you like it, if not oh well you wasted 20 bucks.

 

[captainblack]

I'm going to show a little ignorance here.....but what is TBS?

 

[show me smoke]

Thin blue smoke

 

[bama70]

The cover is IN STOCK on Home Depots website as of 3/28/14. Ordered mine today.

 

[lionel47]

Can you post a review once you get it and try it out? I am curious as to how well it fits and the material. I'll probably get one regardless.