Smokin Hot High Dessert!

[wld otz]

Hello all!

For and old bugger, I am a total beginner, so there will be stupid questions, and there is no such thing as talking 'down' to me...

I live in Hesperia, CA, called the 'High Desert' as opposed to the 'low desert' I guess... It gets freaking HOT here, but it is a 12 month bbq season for sure.

I just bought an Oklahoma Joe Longhorn bbq from lowes on a whim the other day, and would love to be able to use this to it's potential. I notice there are tons of mods available, and I will be exploring them all. I have all the tools and a small metal shop set up, so i can build anything for the smoker I want.

The first thing I noticed is the extreme(to me) distance from the coals to the food. Now for grilling steaks, shouldn't I have the coals much closer to get the good sear? I am looking at making another grate that will hold the coals about 6" under the meat for the hotter temp cooking... good? bad?

Thanks all, and look forward to learning from you.

Cheers

John

And because I know you have never seen one before... :)

John

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• wld otz
• Jun 30, 2014

 

[gary s]

First Welcome from East Texas, the difference between grilling and smoking. Your smoker cooks your meat low ans slow as opposed to grilling over a flame.  The first smoker I built back in the early 80's was a combo smoker grill. I could use it as a smoker or slide my charcoal pan under my grates and use as a grill.  Try smoking a few thing first then decide what mods you want to make,

Gary S

 

[wld otz]

Thanks Gary!

You ran cranes, and I sell cranes, the knuckleboom style...

Yes, that is exactly what I was talking about. I can make an expanded steel grate and set it about 6' under the meat, but didn't know if that would be a waste of time.

 

[jonf]

Welcome Neighbor!!

I'm in Phelan :)

I'm not familiar with your smoker but it looks like a lot of folks around here have them. I'm sure they will chime in in a bit.

Meanwhile I found a thread on a few mods some folks are doing. Here's one.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/138813/what-mods-should-i-make-to-my-ok-joe-longhorn

You can also do a search on Oklahoma Joe Longhorn up in the search box that will give you whole lot of information on that smoker.

Welcome and enjoy!!

 

[gary s]

Yeah, been a long time, always ran cable, friction type (lattice boom)     The smoker I built back then looked similar to what you have except I put a door on the end with the stack so I could slide my charcoal tray in and out. Also had a damper to close off fire box when I was grilling. That too was a long time ago I have a reverse flow I use now (pictured in my avatar.

Gary S

 

[wld otz]

Thanks Jon! Yah, I know Phelan... looked at some houses out there, but mama drove a lexus at the time and the gravel roads did not suit her at all!

I am just learning this stuff, I don't get *really* into this sort of thing, but dammit, I do love to eat, and the restaurants here leave a whole lot to be desired, so... i will just make it myself.

Now, off road rigs, I do stare at for hours asking myself, "how can I make this better?"

John

 

[GaryHibbert]

Hey John

Welcome to the Smoking  forum.   You’ll find great , friendly people here, all more than willing to answer any question you may have.  Just ask and you’ll get about 10 different answers—all right.  LOL.   Don’t forget to post qviews.

Gary

 

[GaryHibbert]

Hey John

Welcome to the Smoking  forum.   You’ll find great , friendly people here, all more than willing to answer any question you may have.  Just ask and you’ll get about 10 different answers—all right.  LOL.   Don’t forget to post qviews.

Gary