I know this is an old thread that I'm joining, but I need information and help.
As an early Christmas present, I got an Old Country Smoker as a gift from my daughter and son-in-law (GREATEST KIDS IN THE WORLD!!). My problem is that I don't know what model it is. Son-in-law unloaded it (by himself) by backing his pickup under an oak tree limb and lowering it with a come-along and tie-down strap. The beast weighs near a quarter ton, I think.
The cooking chamber is 40" long and 19" in diameter where the firebox is welded on. I put a digital gauge on the steel in the smoke chamber and firebox walls and got readings from 0.246" to 0.252" except for the overlapping rims of the doors which measured 0.179" to 0.183". The smokestack measured 0.183". The lower grate in the SC is 30" x 17" and the upper grate is 30" x 7" (measuring just the EM, not the rack sides). The FB grate for grilling is 17" x 17". I does not have a thermometer but there is a hole at center with a screw plug. The damper door does not have a spring. I read about the need to mod this so the damper doesn't move around. What diameter and length spring do I need?
I've read this thread from the OP and got confused by the descriptions. My smoker has a large, threaded pipe for grease.
I forgot to measure its diameter but will do so and correct this post. The grease pipe measured 1.87" (1-7/8", I'm guessing).
From that feature, I inferred that this is Pecos model but the steel thickness and the weight of the unit make me think it might be the Wrangler. At 75 I've lost some strength, I know; but this thing is so heavy that I can hardly lift the stack end and move it.
I've texted to ask SIL about the model but haven't heard back. Can anyone tell me what to look for to find the model? The metal label on the front of the smoke chamber just says "Old Country BBQ Pits".
UPDATE: I have confirmed that the smoker is an Old Country Pits Brazos model. It is the same size as the Pecos model but it is made of 1/4" steel. It also has smaller wheels and a top grate in the smoke chamber. I believe the grease drain pipe is different from that on the Pecos model as well.
Would appreciate any information you can provide. This is my first stick burner; so I need to learn all I can about using it. I know I need to treat it with oil for the first couple of burns. I need suggestions on this because I've never done it before (what oil, what temp, how long to hold it, how many times to treat it, how to know when the burn in is adequate before the first smoke.
As you can see, I'm just starting to acquire a learning curve on stick burners. I've done all my smoking on Weber grills and a mini-
WSM up 'til now. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated and gratefully received.
Much obliged!
rh