unmodifying a chargriller w/side firebox...

[tsiguy96]

Hello everyone,

I have a chargriller pro with side firebox, and at a minimum its extremely hard to keep temps stable even WITH every mod i can find.  When I do manage to keep temps stable, i use a TON of charcoal.  1-2 lbs per hour of charcoal in the side firebox to keep the box to a stable temp.  So today while grilling on it, I noticed with just a few lit charcoals the box went up to 250 pretty easily, and got me thinking about how to turn it into an indirect without using the side firebox.  I dont want to have to buy a new smoker but I cant continue to use the SFB!  What would be a good course of action to try turning the grill into an indirect?  I will post some pics tomorrow as I mess around with it, wondering if anyone else gave it a try.

Thanks!

 

[JckDanls 07]

That's exactly how I use mine... But I don't even have the SFB.... I made a charcoal basket that fit;s in the end by the intake vent... uses Very little charcoal and will burn at least 6 hrs.... here's a couple of pics...

View media item 156383View media item 156384View media item 135445View media item 135444

 

[JckDanls 07]

I fill that basket all the way (for long cooks) and leave a little hole at the end... I light (about half way) about 8-12 briquettes and dump them in that little hole.... I mix my wood chunks all throughout the charcoal as well.... The size of the basket is 17" long, 5" wide, and 5" tall.... it sits right on the main body and has 2-3" of clearance underneath for ashes to fall

I have to run my intake fully closed and control with my exhaust tho... I have a few air leaks

 

[garyt]

Could you post a couple pictures of the inside of the grill and side firebox.
 

 

[garyt]

I fill that basket all the way (for long cooks) and leave a little hole at the end... I light (about half way) about 8-12 briquettes and dump them in that little hole.... I mix my wood chunks all throughout the charcoal as well.... The size of the basket is 17" long, 5" wide, and 5" tall.... it sits right on the main body and has 2-3" of clearance underneath for ashes to fall

I have to run my intake fully closed and control with my exhaust tho... I have a few air leaks

You control your heat through metering the exhaust, really?

 

[alelover]

I have the Chargriller w/ SFB and have no problems with heat. I use almost a pound of charcoal per hour. I run the exhaust wide open and meter at the intake. I also extended my chimney about 18". My temps are within a degree or 2 from end to end. Pics of your setup may help.

 

[cliffcarter]

Undo all the mods and burn wood in the SFB, mine works like a charm and I buy less charcoal.(I also get all my wood for free)

You should also worry less about keeping temps "stable" IMHO, I let mine roam up and down where it wants to go and only shut down the air intake if the temp starts creeping above my upper set limit, which varies according to the kind and type of meat I am cooking. When temps drop off toward my lower limit the I know to add more wood. 

 

[JckDanls 07]

I fill that basket all the way (for long cooks) and leave a little hole at the end... I light (about half way) about 8-12 briquettes and dump them in that little hole.... I mix my wood chunks all throughout the charcoal as well.... The size of the basket is 17" long, 5" wide, and 5" tall.... it sits right on the main body and has 2-3" of clearance underneath for ashes to fall


I have to run my intake fully closed and control with my exhaust tho... I have a few air leaks

You control your heat through metering the exhaust, really?

Yup... If I open my intake any the temp skyrockets... So I have to run the exhaust damper anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 open.... chugs along good with that set up.... I haven't done anything to seal up the lid to stop the air leaks, so that's where the fresh air is coming from....