OK Joe Highland Horizontal versus Brinkmann Trailmaster Vertical Offset Smokers
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Alright, so a little update.. I got impatient and did a couple cooks in the smoker after curing it to see how it'd turn out. The upside, my burgers, ribs, and pork chops that were all done turned out great! The downside.. I fought that temperate like hell to get it steady.. Granted, it didn't help yesterday was 10 degrees with the 22mph gusts when I did the ribs. The first 2 hours I fought it up and down swings, but after I foiled the ribs and settled in the temps were a lot easier to work with.. adding a combo of lump charcoal, kingsford blue bag, and hickory/oak/apple chunks. I also started soaking some of the wood to see if that would help.
I did have some stove sealant, umm 'ciment' was the brand, that I tried putting in a gaping hole above the intake of my firebox... I do NOT recommend using that stuff. EVER. Broke a couple caulking guns trying to get it out of the bottle.. and dang near my hand. I even put it by a heater to warm it up some.. it'd use out, but wouldn't when you wanted it to. Needless to say, it also didn't cure right and fell apart quickly..
I went to Lowe's the other night and found a couple high temp silicone deals I bought.. They go up to 600 degrees F. Would that be hot enough?? I am going to start with sealing the firebox first.. Then I have to find some fiberglass gasket seals or some small rope gasket stuff for the doors. I have the box taken apart and ready to clean, just thought I'd ask so I wouldn't have to do it again..
I did have some stove sealant, umm 'ciment' was the brand, that I tried putting in a gaping hole above the intake of my firebox... I do NOT recommend using that stuff. EVER. Broke a couple caulking guns trying to get it out of the bottle.. and dang near my hand. I even put it by a heater to warm it up some.. it'd use out, but wouldn't when you wanted it to. Needless to say, it also didn't cure right and fell apart quickly..
I went to Lowe's the other night and found a couple high temp silicone deals I bought.. They go up to 600 degrees F. Would that be hot enough?? I am going to start with sealing the firebox first.. Then I have to find some fiberglass gasket seals or some small rope gasket stuff for the doors. I have the box taken apart and ready to clean, just thought I'd ask so I wouldn't have to do it again..
davidreynolds
Newbie
trickyputt
Meat Mopper
Well that bottle of silicone you have there looks to be the exact same bottle I found at Lowe's, bought 2 for $5 a piece. Is that roll the Black Nomex? I think I'll shop around some hardware stores to see if I can find similar stuff at a cheaper price before I order from bbqgaskets.
davidreynolds
Newbie
Doesn't that include door gasket material? You also need to buy a whole tube of high temp RTV. And I mean the engine header stuff tested to 1200 degrees or there is the high temp orange tested to 600 degrees. Seal every joint and connections as you put it together.
What are you referring to David? The small tube that is in Trickyputt's pic is what I just bought, high temp of 600 degrees F. That i'll use all around the firebox and that little piece that joins the firebox/smoker. There is a gaping hole where that piece joins the smoker on the outside that needs to be siliconed up.
I'm also bummed I already have rust on the outside of my firebox.. had a little drizzle one evening and i had it out after cooking.. Don't have the cover I ordered for it yet from Home Depot, but looks like I'll be buying some high temp black paint to...
I'm also bummed I already have rust on the outside of my firebox.. had a little drizzle one evening and i had it out after cooking.. Don't have the cover I ordered for it yet from Home Depot, but looks like I'll be buying some high temp black paint to...
davidreynolds
Newbie
Was wondering what you are sealing all the doors with. And I was talking about sealing every nook and cranny. And adding a flue cap so it is say to smoke even in the rain.
I have been ding the research. And since it is just for my family, I am strongly considering the PBC. Delivered to my door. Put together in 30 seconds and able to cook up to 8 racks of ribs at a time.
I have been ding the research. And since it is just for my family, I am strongly considering the PBC. Delivered to my door. Put together in 30 seconds and able to cook up to 8 racks of ribs at a time.
The doors I'll use the stuff TrickyPutt posted with the gasket deals from bbqgaskets IF I don't find something cheaper. I don't think 1/8" will be small enough for rope.. That can always be added at a later date - Don't have to take anything apart and doors are easy to get to. Firebox is the primary concern at the moment, yesterday when I had the intake completely closed I could still hear the fire getting air from the wind gusts.. I might have to do that gasket stuff on the intake door to.
As per a flu cap I think I have found something for that. If not, any local farm store or hardware should be able to help me. While I want to cover it, I also like having that open exhaust so I can stick my igrill2 probes down it..Gonna have to find another location when that gets closed.
I did 2 racks of baby backs, a tray of pork chops, and a thing of potatoes yesterday. Tried putting apple juice in the water pan for moisture. Wow, I'm not use to drippings collecting and going out into the dip tray at the bottom of the smoker! My MES has an outside drip pan, but never did moisture collect in it.. Gonna have to foil up the floor to prevent rust inside!
As per a flu cap I think I have found something for that. If not, any local farm store or hardware should be able to help me. While I want to cover it, I also like having that open exhaust so I can stick my igrill2 probes down it..Gonna have to find another location when that gets closed.
I did 2 racks of baby backs, a tray of pork chops, and a thing of potatoes yesterday. Tried putting apple juice in the water pan for moisture. Wow, I'm not use to drippings collecting and going out into the dip tray at the bottom of the smoker! My MES has an outside drip pan, but never did moisture collect in it.. Gonna have to foil up the floor to prevent rust inside!
davidreynolds
Newbie
I think you were talking about the Nomex for the doors. You leak may not be the doors on the fire box.I hear a lot of people saying that it is the halves of the fire box where there ar no bolts. Someone added 1 or 2 bolts by drilling it out. Someone else just used high temp RTV. Just a thought.
I think will go with a pit barrel cooker now. The work to tune that brinkman is to time consuming for me.
I think will go with a pit barrel cooker now. The work to tune that brinkman is to time consuming for me.
Sorry I should've been more specific. The silicone will be for the cracks of the firebox - seal the halves then screw together. The cracks between the firebox pieces are the big problem. While smoke comes out the doors I'm not sure that's a major problem.. Smoke comes out my MES door but there's still a ton of smoke inside the smoker. That is a minor thing I don't have to fix right away.
I'm kind of lazy when it comes to mods to tune in things, like my MES and this brinkmann. I was impatient and put together the smoker first. But honestly, just seal up the cracks and put a stove cap deal up on the exhaust to protect from precipitation.. Those are the 2 main mods needed I think. Yes, I could use a charcoal basket of some sort to keep my charcoal together.. And the thermometer the brinkmann comes with is so far off.. at least compared to my grill2 probe that is stationed closer to the meat lol.
I'm completely new with charcoal/wood burning so I have a LOT to learn before I get this thing tuned in correctly and efficiently.. It's going to start with me learning how to control the fire. I also realize I may not use it as much as my MES.. just because it takes a lot of fuel to keep that thing going so i'd better have it filled up with meat. As fun as it is to cook with. lol Next time I may try my AMNPS in the smoker side, while burning just charcoal/lump coal. Save on wood expenses if possible buying at the store.
I'm kind of lazy when it comes to mods to tune in things, like my MES and this brinkmann. I was impatient and put together the smoker first. But honestly, just seal up the cracks and put a stove cap deal up on the exhaust to protect from precipitation.. Those are the 2 main mods needed I think. Yes, I could use a charcoal basket of some sort to keep my charcoal together.. And the thermometer the brinkmann comes with is so far off.. at least compared to my grill2 probe that is stationed closer to the meat lol.
I'm completely new with charcoal/wood burning so I have a LOT to learn before I get this thing tuned in correctly and efficiently.. It's going to start with me learning how to control the fire. I also realize I may not use it as much as my MES.. just because it takes a lot of fuel to keep that thing going so i'd better have it filled up with meat. As fun as it is to cook with. lol Next time I may try my AMNPS in the smoker side, while burning just charcoal/lump coal. Save on wood expenses if possible buying at the store.
trickyputt
Meat Mopper
Once you seal the firebox temps will stablize. I even drilled a couple extra drain hole in the cook chamber for drainage since mine stay outside. Split the box and seal it, as it is a big deal. The plenum leaving and the top and bottom halves. Stove cement or 1000-1200 degree safe material is best, 600 degree material will fail. The 600 degree sealants are for the cook chamber.
Alright, Thanks a bunch for the info! I will wait and get 1000 degree material before I put my firebox back together.
I may try laying foil on the bottom and poking out the drain hole in the cooker side. I've used a shallow alum pan on the firebox side.. but those things don't take but a cook or two and are done. Do you oil your firebox often in between/before cooks to help prevent rust on the inside?
Well everyone judgement day is upon us! Christmas morning has come and gone, and I am the proud owner of a new Brinkman Trailmaster vertical offset!! I am so excited and thankful for my family! I spent the day on and off putting it together. Tomorrow I will rub it down in vege oil and season it! I also got a sweet igrill2 to go with it. :biggrin:
Unfortunately more pics of testing my first stick burner may be delayed until I return to school. I have limited internet at home, but I will try to take plenty of pics. There were a few minor things I'll note about the condition of the smoker when I opened it up. When UPS delivered the box (Mom was shocked they delivered such a heavy package) the back of the box was beat up some. The back of the smoke chamber had a dent in it, was able to use a rubber mallet to beat it back normal. The thin metal on the inside by the door latch was also warped.. but I was guess that was from welding, and won't be a problem. Also, the firebox lid was tweaked and I had to bend it around some to get the lid to close normally. Other than that, everything seemed to look just fine!
At this time the only major modifications will be drilling 2 holes and adding 2 grill thermometers down the cooking chamber. Elected not to find rope gasket seal YET, but if I do it will be where the firebox goes into the chamber (there is some gaps there, but may help intake anyways). May or may not build a charcoal basket... that, or somehow shimmy up/left the charcoal grates higher so the heat easily goes to the cook chamber. We will see what happens!
Awesome smoker Gavin, also an igrill2..... Nice ! I've sure liked my igrill2 so far !
Thanks WaterinHoleBrew!! I ran a couple tests on her because I was impatient.. Soon as I get it sealed back up she'll be ready for some real cooking!!
I love the igrill2! So awesome to see the cooks on your phone, watch the charted data, and share it with the community! There's just a few minor things I'd like to see them fix on the app itself... But otherwise I'm like a kid with a new toy when I get to turn it on (and not just because it is a new 'toy' either
Very nice, I'd say 3/4 of the folks on this site would have done exactly what you did... So your not alone on being impatient.... :biggrin:
As far as the app on the igrill2, I'd have to agree with ya. But overall the unit has been a great addition to the Q arsenal ! New Q toys are cool ! :sausage: Lookin forward to seeing your smokes when ya can post ! Thumbs Up
trickyputt
Meat Mopper
the biggest problem I have had is with leveling side to side since the wheels dont adjust.
I can let cook residue stay in the bottom and bake on and over time it simply wont rust like that first pic. At first you probably need to give it some help or the second pic will happen.
The ashes in the firebox are the worst thing, as they have lye in them from the wood so wet air and dry ashes dont need to get together or it accelerates oxidation.
This one is cleaned for a cook but its holding up pretty good so far, 1 year outside.
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Well I'm back at school finally, and luckily for me we have a fireplace/stove/grill store at the edge of town, and they had some flat gasket stuff for me! Took advantage of some of this amazing 60 degree weather in Kansas to clean and seal up the firebox. I didn't feel like buying the glue, so I used my 600 degree sealant I'd already bought to stick the rope.. Figure that will not hurt anything because they are screwed down anyways. I am thinking of this doesn't work I'll go buy a couple screws and put 1 on either end of the firebox (Not sure why Brinkmann didn't have screw holes on the ends of the firebox anyways...)
The other gasket stuff had a sticky glue on the back, I put it on the door, we'll see how it holds.. Noticed the door doesn't shut all the way now so I may have to tweak it if necessary. I didn't buy the flat rope stuff for the smoker side.. For one it was like $2.67 or so per foot, and also I figure the smoker doors can always be sealed another day if I need.. Firebox was my main target.
I still have a small crack there where the plenum goes into the smoker.. I may use that 600 degree sealant on that part, or try a rope gasket?? I even bought some black paint and covered up the rust lol. Hopefully within the next week or two we can give it a test run.. The other bad thing I noticed when packing it for school - The paint inside the smoker on the top is all wrinkled up (like you mentioned it would do) so something happened and I screwed up the curing process... Kind of upset about that.
The other gasket stuff had a sticky glue on the back, I put it on the door, we'll see how it holds.. Noticed the door doesn't shut all the way now so I may have to tweak it if necessary. I didn't buy the flat rope stuff for the smoker side.. For one it was like $2.67 or so per foot, and also I figure the smoker doors can always be sealed another day if I need.. Firebox was my main target.
I still have a small crack there where the plenum goes into the smoker.. I may use that 600 degree sealant on that part, or try a rope gasket?? I even bought some black paint and covered up the rust lol. Hopefully within the next week or two we can give it a test run.. The other bad thing I noticed when packing it for school - The paint inside the smoker on the top is all wrinkled up (like you mentioned it would do) so something happened and I screwed up the curing process... Kind of upset about that.
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