New Brinkmann Trailmaster Vertical Smoker

yraen · Oct 17, 2014

Like ButtBurner said, 15 degrees is nothing. Myself, I put my pit probe on the lowest rack with food as this will be the hottest rack in my smoker based on my tests. I tend to put my longer cooks higher in the smoker to drip on the shorter cooks. It's worked out fine so far, with the lowest rack getting done before the higher racks and moving the probe up to the next rack as needed.

uscg husker · Oct 18, 2014

Believe me if I had the means I would love to pick up wood like that.

buttburner · Oct 18, 2014

USCG Husker said:
Believe me if I had the means I would love to pick up wood like that.

sorry

had to brag a little lol

I saw piles of it everywhere at places around my cabin. I went into an Amish vegetable market on day and saw it posted on their bulletin board, that's how I came across it

uscg husker · Oct 18, 2014

No offense taken, Sir! Once I get this Q-view going, I got a 9lb butt going now, with a 7 lb brisket. Go Big Red!

smokerjoe32 · Oct 18, 2014

Question good smoke or bad smoke?

smokerjoe32 · Oct 19, 2014

So I had awesome cook yesterday, I started a 10 lbs pork shoulder at 7 and got done at 10. I've done some marathon events but to be honest waking up at 530 and monitoring the smoker and a house with 10 teenagers was crazy. I was praying for the temp to it 190. The smoke ring was awesome, wish I'd taken a pic of it but I was exhausted.

trickyputt · Oct 21, 2014

20141019_124246.jpg

trickyputt
Oct 21, 2014

These are my verticals heating hickory before I lock them down to make charcoal. I had to tweak them, but they have no door gaskets yet. The machines dont have to be airtight in the cc, just a low enough oxygen level in the firebox to make low grade charcoal out of whatever wood I put in there, and they will then burn long and make TBS that doesnt overpower any meat. Its that hint of hickory I like. This pic is the first time I cooked on a trailmaster vert.

20140529_141037.jpg

trickyputt
Oct 21, 2014

ericf517 · Nov 5, 2014

Have you guys had luck with using this during the winter months?

campsmoke1955 · Nov 6, 2014

Eric,

I live in S Georgia so the weather rarely gets too cold. But I suspect even the 40's and 50's while cooking will affect the smoker's ability to hit and hold target temperatures. Since I was able to increase the heat in my smoker by adding wood to the charcoal, I would think the same would help if the outside temps were lower.

Wind would probably affect the performance too.

I am planning to take a page from one of the members on this site and build a lean-to roofover in the backyard for my smoker. It will have some wind protection as well as protection from the elements. An outdoor man-cave...

ericf517 · Nov 6, 2014

Camp, 40's & 50's LOL I was thinking of smoking in the winter time too when it is down in the -10 to 25 degree range. You Southern guys that think 40's are cold LOL.

This is why I am thinking a insulated smokehouse would work better for me. Still haven't gotten any feedback from anyone about building a wood smokehouse to use charcoal and wood with..

trickyputt · Nov 7, 2014

Grandpa built his smokehouse on the ground. He cured his hams and hung them in the smokehouse, the fire was right on the ground. A cooker that size would be a different story and the temps would be a problem for wood heat.you can use a jacket on the trailmaster.

wlfletcher · Nov 7, 2014

Hello all! Thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. Got my BTVS and gasket kit from BBQgaskets.

I have a question about about applying the black, rope-type gasket between the two halves of the fire box.

How did you guys deal with the 6 bolt holes that join the two halves? Did you put holes in the rope gasket? Or, did you just move the gasket to one side or the other of the bolts?

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can give me!

ericf517 · Nov 7, 2014

Trickyputt said:
Grandpa built his smokehouse on the ground. He cured his hams and hung them in the smokehouse, the fire was right on the ground. A cooker that size would be a different story and the temps would be a problem for wood heat.you can use a jacket on the trailmaster.

Tricky, you know where to find a jacket for one that will keep the temps stable in the middle of winter?

smokerjoe32 · Nov 7, 2014

For me wlfletcher, I poked holes in the rope gasket and used rtv to help seal it up. I have zero issues with it leaking

wlfletcher · Nov 7, 2014

Thanks! Was leaning that way. Just needed affirmation.

trickyputt · Nov 7, 2014

Water heater jackets work if they are not a flammable like cotton. Keep clear around the firebox plenum. It can get hot quick with thin gauge metal, especially without water in the pan.

I used stove sealant caulk on the firebox seal. I unbolted it, caulked it and bolted it back. Its brittle after its fired, but in a screwed together joint that gets that hot its great so far.

A popular material to use is 3/8" fiber tech insulation with a reflective aluminum face. Some home improvement stores sell hot water heater jackets made of this material, or it can be ordered by the roll as "heat shield insulation" or "fiber tech padding" from automotive suppliers like J.C. Whitney. Some folks use a single layer of material wrapped around the cooker, while others put two pieces of insulation together with the aluminum sides facing out, sealing the edges with aluminum foil tape.

Also metalized bubble wrap.

I like things that arent so fiberous. The fibers can get loose an messy.

Wind is the main thing.

campsmoke1955 · Nov 8, 2014

40 degrees is chilly but I agree... not COLD. Merely pointing out that temps even in the 40's would begin to affect our ability to maintain temps in the cooking chamber. Weather like you are talking about would be even MORE of an issue.

I also agree with Trickyputt about wind being the main thing. I like his suggestion about the insulating jacket idea for the CC.

I am planning a lean-to shelter for my outdoor cooking stuff (most of it anyway).

The obvious roof protection is my 1st concern, but I am thinking about adding partial walls to block wind.

Walls on 3 sides, leaving the top 18 inches and the bottom 18 inches open.

That would allow smoke out and still block direct wind from hitting the smoker.

trickyputt · Nov 8, 2014

Run cable and leave a place for a tv while you are at it! I like the siding idea. I am gonna us fence board. Tin Roof of course.

I found this site. Good Reading.
http://fireproofblankets.com

yraen · Nov 10, 2014

Trickyputt said:
Here is a foil jacket at home depot, a better idea than the plastic ones.

http://m.homedepot.com/p/UltraTouch...ot-Water-Heater-Blanket-60301-48752/202710039

I contacted that manufacturer and they told me "Our insulation cannot be used for that application" when asked about using it on a smoker. I don't know if it's because of the material not being able to handle the temperatures or if it is just a CYA.

trickyputt · Nov 10, 2014

I think the welding blankets are the most practical. Really, if I cannot wash and clean and renew a cover, I wouldnt want it. I was looking at the foil skin water tank jacket thinking it was over fiberglass but the recycled cotton denim makes me say no. I missed that recycled insulation they are trying to use. Thank you for the catch. I deleted the link.

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