Char-Griller Smokin Pro with firebox- Mods - SMF

**MossyMO** · #1 10-22-2007, 07:09 PM

Sorry for starting a new thread on a subject that has been covered many times but I wanted to post a few pic's of a few modifications I am making and also to asks opinions on what I am thinking for a tuning plate.

First mod I made when I purchased the smoker was adding a dryer vent tube to help keeping the heat and smoke under the hood and more at grate level.

Next step was filling all unneeded holes with ji-temp fireplace caulking. I am also still thinking about Debi's suggestion and running a bead of caulking around the edge of the lip of the cover and laying plastic wrap over the caulking and closing the lid for a formed tight seal and letting it dry and then removing the plastic wrap. Still unsure if this is needed?

I also took the cheap thermometer that came with it out and replace it with a better one and used the hi-temp caulking to seal this in place also. The original one was just snapped into place with a metal O-ring and smoke seep out the cover around the thermometer.

Next I replaced the wire briquette rack that came with the firebox, hot coals had melted this badly and I was having problems keeping the coals out of the ashes which was not helping me keep the smoker heat up. I cut out 2 pieces of heavy expanded metal and double layered them and positioned them higher than the previous briquette rack. Should have plenty of air flow under the coals now !!!

Now on the tuning plate is where I am starting to question my thinking and curious how others have mounted or positioned a tuning plate in their Char-griller. I do not want to drill holes in the belly of the smoker to mount the tuning plate; I feel this will just promote rust and possibly stress the metal body when it is under heat and make the belly and hood not fit snug? The metal tuning plate I am using is 1/16" thick steel, very solid and very heavy. So I set bricks in the belly to prop the tuning plate into position.

The tuning plate is snug against the firebox wall with about a 1/4" gap between the grill and the tuning plate around the other 3 sides. Is this enough air flow so the firebox is not smothered?

Also I am thinking about cutting a hole in the tuning plate to insert a water pan.

**Geek with Fire** · #2 10-22-2007, 07:29 PM

Wow, nice work MOss! I think the only comments I could make are in the tuning plate area. The plate process I was going to try was multiple plates at different widths and and spaces. Do you think you'll get even coverage of smoke and heat without the gaps? I have faith in your thought process, so I'm guessing you're pretty sure you will. Keep us updated....especially those of us who have the same rig!

**Short One** · #3 10-22-2007, 07:36 PM

My question is will the bricks on the firebox end allow for good heat and smoke movement or creat a problem with the air flow through the smoker, causing a bigger problem. When I put a tuning plate in smokinmeat's smoker, I used the bolt holes that hold the legs to mount a rail on each side for the plates to rest on. My .02 worth. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ght=smokinmeat

Here's the thread w/pics. You can see the rails in the pics.

moltenone · #4 10-22-2007, 07:44 PM

is a tuning plate necessary in a unit of this size? i have the same smoker.

Mark

**Gramason** · #5 10-22-2007, 07:54 PM

I have the same one. I mounted a piece of metal that extends about 15 inches into the smoke chamber. I mounted it using the exsisting holes at the top where the fire box mounts. It seems to work good and keep a steady temp. Also mounted angle on the inside of the lid and installed fire place rope or high temp rope to seal the lid. I am interested to see how the plate you installed works.

**MossyMO** · #6 10-22-2007, 08:20 PM

Geek with Fire and Shortone
Seeing the tuning plate modification the Shortone did for smokingmeat both your concepts on the gaps address's my airflow concern. I am thinking of trying what I have set up to see how it works and if I need the gaps I can always pull out the saw again !!!

moltenone
I am new to a side firebox smoker and smoking with charcoal, I have only had this smoker a few months. I find myself smoking at the far end of the grill because of the additional heat on the firebox side. I am hoping a tuning plate will give me additional smoking space.

I am so use to propane and electric vertical smokers I am determined to be successful with this style of smoker. Then the next step will be a dream come true; a pull behind my pickup style stick burner (maybe someday) !!!

Gramason
I am interested in seeing pics of your set up.

DeejayDebi · #7 10-22-2007, 08:51 PM

I thought the object of the tuing plate was to have a series of plates to slide around with gaps between them to regulate heat alowed up and into the cooking chamber? Am I getting ahead of you Mossy?

You'll definately be better off with the expanded metal coal basket the wirerack thing is just plain useless!

**Gramason** · #8 10-22-2007, 09:03 PM

I'll take some pics and post them tomorrow.

**MossyMO** · #9 10-22-2007, 09:20 PM

Debi
That is my dilemma on the tuning plate and/or plates. How I have read from a majority of the posts about tuning plates is that is to defer heat away from above the firebox opening into the belly of the smoker, also to retain heat when the coals are unexpectedly dieing and also to eliminate the need for a waterpan (which I do not agree with,.....yet).

This old man is still learning, it is a never ending process. I wish Geek with Fire would find a way to store what we have learned onto a hard drive, because I just keep forgetting stuff I learn !!!

**Geek with Fire** · #10 10-22-2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeejayDebi

---snip--
You'll definately be better off with the expanded metal coal basket the wirerack thing is just plain useless!

Yea, I agree. I chuckled the first time I read Mossy's description of the heat melting the rack, because I'm in the same boat; mine looks like it's been run over. You're right, it is totally useless.