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smoking pit

Newbie
Original poster
Jun 13, 2016
14
10
Hi from Pittsburgh.  A few years back I had a bullet smoker until I burnt out the fire pan.I now have a Chargriller Smokin Pro for about a month and did a few mods right out of the box.  All of the mods I've made I read about somewhere, unfortunately I can't remember who's ideas they were so I can not give proper credit.

Made it a reverse flow 

Original hole for stack


Stack installed on right side


Right cooking pan against fire box


Left side pan with 3 inch gap


Aluminum extension under the baking pan- need to make something more durable.  Expanded metal grate.


In operation - almost all smoke coming from left side


Stack extension to grate and black stove pipe inner shell with fiberglass behind for insulation.  After I first installed the stove pipe I ripped it out to take the finish off.  Tried paint remover but no luck.  Finally burnt it off with a propane torch and then used a wire brush.


A little bragging rights on the insulation.  The grate temperature is about 225 degrees in this picture.  This is actually cool to the touch.  Around 10 PM ambient temp is about 65 degrees.


Covered the 5/8 inch gap on the left side of the cover.  Still working on what to do on eliminating the gaps.

I'm in the middle of my third smoke as I am posting.  The first was pretty poor.  Way too much smoke, made the pork and beef roasts bitter.  The second was really good as I learned a bit about how and when to add splits.  I hope tonight's is as good as the second.  Any comments are appreciated.
 
Welcome to the CG forum Smoking Pit.  Glad to have you with us.

I see you have gone down the rabbit hole concerning mods right out of the box. I did too, before I ever fired it up.  LOL)

But I'm sorry to say that 95% of the mods just don't work well.   We own a COS, and we have to live with them until we are willing to spends serious bucks for a good one.  Seeing as I usually just cook for 2 or3 people, I can't justify the expense. 

Especially when my wife just told me my BBQ, was better than a commercial completion smoker, I bought some BBQ from them, during the holiday weekend.  Her comment blew my socks off!  Those guys have been winning a lot of competitions over the years,  They said their smoker cost cost $35,000+.  And my little COS CG produces just as good, or better, in her eyes. (mime too, but I didn't say it until she made the statement.)

And in case you're thinking it's just a family thing, or preference, we've both ate at Smokey D's on 2ND Ave. in Des Moines.  Theirs are the best in the world, in my book.  I came close to theirs, once tho'.  Had to be by accident.  LOL

I tend to ramble.  Can you tell?

On mods, I would be Leary of fiberglass.  Even when you think you have sealed tight, it tends to float out.

As for the rest of your mods, let us know how they work out,  That's why we created this group.  To learn from each other.
 
Thanks fpmich,

I'm in the same boat.  2-3 people and couldn't justify a more expensive unit.  Plus I took it as a challenge to see what I could do with it.  Thanks for the warning on the fiberglass.  I'll keep watch on it.  I did seal all exposed areas with FDA high temp silicone so as long as that holds up I hope I am ok.    The reverse flow mods are seem to be working well as most smoke is coming out the left side.  I know better once I get a few more smokes under my belt.  I have a lot to learn on the fire management side as I am trying to use only wood, after last night I am not sure I'll be able to do this.  But that's half the fun in trying to figure it out.
 
Cliff is the guy to ask about wood burning in a CG.  He does it all the time.  I haven't mastered it yet, so I use lump with wood chunks close enough to make smoke.
 
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Thanks fpmich.  I see Frank in your tag line do you prefer that?  On my second trial I did a mix of lump and small splits, that worked well.  Better than this time.  My first smoke is was pretty bad.  It could be the wood too as I do not know what type it is.  Its been garage kept for 2 years left over from the fireplace.  
 
Thanks Frank.  I looked up some of the posts from Cliff and you.  Interesting that higher smoking temperatures are suggested.  I think I'll give that a try next time, it may help with stick burning.
 
What happened to all of the special groups like this one and the WSM and nj group. Why can’t I find them? Where they discarded with the new platform?
 
What happened to all of the special groups like this one and the WSM and nj group. Why can’t I find them? Where they discarded with the new platform?

Look under Forums/Social Groups. Hope this helps.
 
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