Smoke'N Grill (ECB) Basic Mods-2012 Q-View

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scooter-man

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Jul 14, 2012
82
12
Va. Beach, VA
So for Father’s day 2012, I got the ECB from the Wife and got excited. In an old life, I used a smoker many times, fast forward 12 years later and now it’s time to have fun again. So for the first break-in smoke, I did a turkey breast and some ribs (can’t waste good smoke) and the coals kept smothering out. I knew there was a better way, searched the web and found SMF, found the nickname for the ECB and read many mod threads. The game plan was set and here is the mods I did.
  • Turn the legs out
  • Added the Little Smoke Joe grate
  • Added legs to the coal pan (hardware is blasted)
  • Added a controllable bottom vent
  • Added a new temp gauge
I made a top vent piece but decided to wait and see how well this mod went and IF a top vent was needed. I did blast the cloth lines hooks, washers, and bolts used for the coal pan legs. The charcoal grate screws/washers are 10-32 made from stainless steel.

The bottom vent and top vent is from aluminum sheet metal that I hand cut and used an aluminum flat bar for added strength. These two items were screwed together. The center pivot bolt had two nuts tightened against each other for smooth opening and closing of the bottom vent.

The grate and 10-32 screws came from ACE hardware while the vent handle, charcoal pan hardware, and temp gage came from Home Depot.

During the first smoke with this bottom vent mod, I decided the top vent was not needed.

On to the pics (Q-view)…

68ec9e14_1_basicECB.jpg


cf90b2e9_2_Basiccoalpan.jpg


174d0034_3_Holelayout.jpg


3c71c913_4_hardware.jpg


e0853842_5_Grate.jpg


d16a5165_6_gratesupports.jpg


b2fc8b10_7_allthreegratesupports.jpg


0e782525_8_60mmdepth.jpg


30c9c15d_9_coalpan-grate.jpg


f0b863c0_10_cuttingairholes.jpg


7da0593d_11_airholeswork.jpg


1d5df8c8_12_finsihedcoalpan.jpg


713f4887_13_alltogether.jpg


I hope this helps other new members, the first burn after these mods worked great. I bent in the door to prevent smoke from leaking.

Late!
 
I too have an ECB that I made almost the same mod's on, damper on bottom & top, added a new gauge new longer legs, grate in charcoal pan, and rope seal around lid, Works a lot better, and you don't have much invested. I usually cook on my RF, but I have said over and over it doesn't matter what kind of smoker you have it's the person doing the smoking.  good luck

Gary
 
You are right, there is not much invested in this smoker and it's turned out some awesome, kick butt food. Tomorrow for Superbowl will do some more food in it. I've had this smoker up to 325°F for chickens and down to 200°F for the 'slow and smow'.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I keep thinking if the bottom is totally sealed, I'll be able to control the temps better, but I don't chase this thing.... 

I think this Spring I'll get a Groument bottom and see. I'll post some pics tomorrow.
 
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