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Open your smoke stack up all the way. As someone else said, control your temps with the firebox inlet.
I think you mentioned having made a charcoal basket. Hopefully not made out of galvanized metal (same thing for the baffle). I imagine not, but does not hurt to check. Use your charcoal...
Did get the wood split smaller yesterday afternoon. Ended up using an axe. Will have to get the bigger hammer. Axe worked okay on splitting the wood I'd already debarked and cut down.
Lit the smoker and did a few hour burn.
First off, decided I had way too much initial charcoal. I'd...
Bought a splitting wedge at Harbor Freight, but regular ball peen hammer not much good with it. Just puts a little dent in the wood.
Dug around as I thought I had a bit of a shortened sledge that I used to use ages ago when straightening sprung truck bumper arms. Found it just a bit ago. Not...
Good morning!
Yes, I have tuning plates. Would hate to mess with them as I have the smoker so even at the grate, but is worth looking into. Maybe could do without one. I have pictures of how mine is set up plate wise in some previous posts.
Thanks for the big tip on the wood size. That is...
Hmmm. I would think temperature is temperature. The plates should only act as a tool to even out your temps across the smoker so that you don't have such a high variance between the firebox side and the exhaust side. If you were accurately measuring the temp at the grate the first time...
Thanks for the reply ButtBurner.
Yes, going to try a few more burns and see if I can crack it finally before doing anything drastic. At the moment the wood keeps going out and just putting out white smoke. Don't seem to be able to get that nice glowing embers with a flame burning clean all...
This is how I have mine. Every once in a while I move the ash around through the inlet hole just to be sure it is not piling up and blocking air flow. Not had a problem in that regard with them sideways as ButtBurner says. Still plenty of room.
DaveOmak - decided this AM, before I break...
That is what is weird with these smokers. As best I can tell there is a variance on the same smoker, but has a different letter designation at the end of the part number. Seems to be the one I got might be a Lowes exclusive (just a feeling) as the Home Depot one has the vent like you just...
Thanks for that DaveOmak. Now I just need to get that fire issue cured.
From just what I've seen so far, I need to have the wood continue to burn/be in flame to get the "invisible" smoke or "blue" smoke that is required for a good cook. I'm going to try to make the pieces of wood I have...
Part two of above post: So, at least for me, conclusion so far is I like where the tuning plates are positioned and, at least for me, I'm not going to bother with the exhaust extension down to the grate. Takes up cook area and for the variance I've averaged now, it just does not seem needed as...
For those that are still interested or following this rambling topic here is a bit more of my quest to get things right or at least close.
First off, a big thank you to all who have posted. The info has not fallen on deaf ears and I've made adjustments and learned from them. Anyway, thanks...
That is a good tip. I did use a couple of rather large initial logs/splits. Maybe smaller and less would be a better deal.
Considered giving it a go (smaller pieces and try without and then moved elbow exhaust) just a little while ago. Feel bad for the neighbor though as they had to have...
Thanks for the posts! And, sorry for another huge post from me.
Here is the latest for those that may be interested.
First off, moved the plates closer to what you have Dockman, although my "floating" end plate is 6" wide instead of 4".
I put a chimney of lit kingsford charcoal in and then...
Don't know if you can see it with the sun etc., but here is the plate on the firebox end.
is on the other side. 1" off the exhaust side wall and then the other two plates are 1/2" apart. I'd still like to get it closer in temp as this set up is still to wide a range from side to side. You...