lsujeepguy
Newbie
I found some 1/8" metal here at my shop. Will that be thick enough for the diverter and tuning plate?
My friend that build me the heat plate is no longer working at the same place, so no access to materials and tools... The sheet he built me is a little thicker than 1/8 inch aluminum. Stainless would have been nice but this one is working out just fine. My plate has a bend in it nearest the firebox and it sits flush against the right side of the cooking chamber - there is no gap on the right side and all heat is forced under the plate and down the cooking chamber as it enters from the firebox.
Fastback - Cool topic and great details and pics! I just picked-up my OK Joe's Highland from Wally World yesterday and am getting my list together for mods. That tuning/convection plate is the bomb dude! Did your friend ever get back to you with a price for something like that? I would definitely be interested in getting one to Tejas. If he isn't interested, then a couple of questions: How thick is the metal he used? How exactly do you use it to fine tune the process? Slide it to tune the dispersal or just leave it in place?
As to sealing the thing, I have the 1/2" by 1/8" gasket material on my list. What about the red sealant that you used for the joins and seams? What particular product is that, and I assume that its high heat rated? I already picked-up a 2nd thermometer for the available fitting on the top, so I now have left and right gauges, but still up top. Do you feel that the additional gauges at surface level add that much to the process for an average smokeaholic?
I'm really looking forward to using mine and trying out some of my old recipes on the new platform. I do all of the usual pork, beef, chicken and turkey and also do a couple of more esoteric items like smoked fresh-caught fish and smoked chicken livers for a smoky paté and some smoked veggies. My Son also makes some homemade venison and pork sausage that I want to smoke.
Please keep adding tips and tricks, they are much appreciated.
Bill Mac in Tejas
aka "burlesonbill"
I have a question, about sealing the firebox on the OKJ Highlander. I first tried the felt gasket but it was burning out in spots during my initial run. The temps held good but smoke was escaping out of some spots on the cover. I scraped off the felt and put a bead of hi-temp silicone gasket sealer around it. But the lid doesn't fit tight against the silicone. What's the right way to apply the gasket material to get an even seal?
Also another question, how important is it to seal the exhaust tube? At that point the heat and smoke has already made its way through the chamber. Other than the looks what does it matter if some of the smoke and heat escapes though the joint instead of out the end?
Thanks to everyone on this forum for sharing their ideas. It made things easy to follow to modify mr smoker.
Tony
The insulation fire rope works great. I just bought some from Amazon last weekend with the high temperature cement adhesive. NO MORE LEAKS,!!!Thanks for the input. That actually sounds like it might work. Although I did my first long smoke last weekend using the copper silicone on the firebox and it still burned out. I've ordered some insulation rope for a woodstove and I'm going to try that.
Did you make a diffuser plate and basket? Do you know the dimensions you used?
In regards to charcoal basket there is a great thread on here called the 20/20 basket. And it fits my Oklahoma joe perfect. Only thing was that I used a grinder with metal cutting blade to cut my expanded metal rather than tin snips shown on the step by step illustration.
Yeah even the copper silicone RTV didn't work for me. I think it said it was good for 700*F but the firebox gets hotter than that. And the RTV just kind of melted and peeled. More bad news, the 1/2" fireplace rope was way too big around. The lid on the box wouldn't shut with that rope around it. Another FAIL! Now I'm back to the original felt material. It worked fairly well except in a couple of hot spots, which I think I've figured out by tapping and shaping the metal around the opening of the door.
Still looking for some input from those guys who have figured this out. Send some pics! (After the cookin).