Masterbuild XL Mods - Post your mods here!

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darthtrader

Newbie
Original poster
Oct 6, 2010
18
12
As suggested by Caiguar, let's post our Masterbuilt XL mods here so we can all share and get ideas as early adopters.  Perhaps Masterbuilt can use some mods in their second generation roll out?  
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Darth- After this weekends smoke I had to mod this baby. I had 2 main issues- the wood chip pan and the water pan. The mod I did isn't particularly easy and I haven't fired it up yet, but here it is:

In looking at the stock wood chip pan, it sits right in top of the lip for the burner. This means all air flow from the bottom goes through the vents in the pan- which is probably why we are having trouble with the chunks catching fire. I decided to go with what I was familiar with and install the cast iron box from the GOSM. I found it fit well in the water chip rack. Since the water pan sucks anyway, I decided to use it for the wood box.

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Since there were no holes that low for the rack hangers I had to drill holes 4.75 inches from the bottom to accommodate the lower rack position. It still leaves plenty of room for air flow. I decided to use a large foil pan for the water- this sacrifices one of the cooking racks. I called Masterbuilt and you can order spares for $19.99 and the hangers for $12.99 each(which seems a little steep for what they are). The GOSM large wood chunk box is $15.99. You will need to add shipping to all of the above prices. I happen to have the large smoke box with my GOSM 3605, so I was able to experiment without laying out any cash.
 
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Since there were no holes that low for the rack hangers I had to drill holes 4.75 inches from the bottom to accommodate the lower rack position. It still leaves plenty of room for air flow. I decided to use a large foil pan for the water- this sacrifices one of the cooking racks. I called Masterbuilt and you can order spares for $19.99 and the hangers for $12.99 each(which seems a little steep for what they are). The GOSM large wood chunk box is $15.99. You will need to add shipping to all of the above prices. I happen to have the large smoke box with my GOSM 3605, so I was able to experiment without laying out any cash.
I am looking at getting this smoker and was wondering how you came about 4.75 inches for your holes?  Over all, as of now, are you happy with the smoker?  I have had numerous GOSM's and the idea of 1 vent makes me wonder about temperature control.  Would modding a stack into it make sense? Sorry if this is the wrong place to discuss it.
 
 
I wanted the bottom of the box to end up about 2 inches from the lip of the burner. After a lot of calculations I came up with 4.75 inches- the rack hangers sit .5 inches below the hole after they are installed, the bottom of the wood box is 2 inches below the rack, and the lip is 1.5 inches off the floor of the smoker. Bottom line 4.75 inches seemed to work. I am happy with the build quality of this smoker, I was not happy with the wood chip pan and the water pan. Having owned a GOSM for 8 years I was dissapointed Bass Pro stopped selling the big block, since after my mods that is basically what I'm going to end up with. I am going to fire it up this afternoon and will let you know how it does. I may have to add vents on the side- then my mongrel Masterbuilt/GOSM would be complete!
 
Update- fired it up with 2 large soaked hickory chunks and filled the pan with 1 gal. water. It took a little longer to get to 250, but I think that was because of the water. I had thin blue smoke and am now happy.
 
Update- fired it up with 2 large soaked hickory chunks and filled the pan with 1 gal. water. It took a little longer to get to 250, but I think that was because of the water. I had thin blue smoke and am now happy.
Thank you for the updates and info.  After reading around, I might just venture into converting an old fridge, or warming type rack.  Not sure yet. Depends on if i can convince the missus on a ugly big fridge in the backyard. I will follow the progress here. 
 
hey guys I'm interested in the wood box from the GOSM where can I get those, 15.99 seems fair to completely eliminate the possibility of wood catching fire and messing up the temps.  I am also thinking of getting an "amazing smoke" to take care of the smoking.  just looking at the possibilities.
 
Thanks for the pics, bourbonman.  I'm starting to have a feeling that I may have made the wrong purchase here...  Seems like all we are doing is trying to jerry rig these things to work as good as the GOSM.  Oh well... Worst case scenario, there's always Craigslist.

Here's what I'm thinking about doing...  I have a spare 11" cast iron pan lying around so I thought I'd use that in place of the chip pan and holding it up with a wok ring or a cast iron trivet to keep air flowing underneath.  

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Thoughts?

I'll be firing up the cooker this weekend. More later...  
 
I like the trivet thing because it would negate having to drill holes. I think a bigger water pan is a must- it helps with heat recovery in my opinion and recycles the smoke and dripping flavor in the smoker as it boils. I don't want to give the wrong impression- I like the smoker. There are some positives to this unit over the GOSM- specifically the rack system. I think it gives value for the price and really there are only a couple alternatives in this size as far as propane is concerned and they are all more expensive.
 
All I am trying is, to make it better. the smoker is really good but its not that we don't like it, it's just that we as smokers always like(at least me)to mess with our things and make them our own and make them work our way.

I love this model, don't get me wrong.  I am just looking for ways to make it better.  with that in mind I like the last idea about the spare parts to repalce the stock wood pan.  nice one.
 
I am getting ready to unbox my unit today.  If the problem with the chip pan the holes in it causing flame to start the chips on fire?  How about welding up the holes?  Does the cast iron one have holes in it?  I am planning on using it this weekend for my wife's birthday and don't want a problems.  I am planning a few butts and ribs.  I don't think I will have time to mod it before the weekend.
 
Another quick question, sorry if not right place, do you still soak the wood chips and chunks before using in this smoker...??

Got my answer, Thanks!!
 
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bikr4jc, this is what I ended up doing: I took a $10 replacement gas stove top cooking grate and set that on top of the raised lip where the burner is.  I set a cast iron pan on top of that and wood chunks on top of the pan.  Problem solved.  I had perfect thin blue smoke piping out.  :)  
 
bikr4jc, this is what I ended up doing: I took a $10 replacement gas stove top cooking grate and set that on top of the raised lip where the burner is.  I set a cast iron pan on top of that and wood chunks on top of the pan.  Problem solved.  I had perfect thin blue smoke piping out.  :)  

Thanks!!!
 
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bikr4jc, this is what I ended up doing: I took a $10 replacement gas stove top cooking grate and set that on top of the raised lip where the burner is.  I set a cast iron pan on top of that and wood chunks on top of the pan.  Problem solved.  I had perfect thin blue smoke piping out.  :)  


I had to season my new smoker after I put it together, I used all the original equipment and the chunks caught fire just like everyone said they would.

So I took a grate off the stove and grabbed a cast pan and did what you suggested.  Works excellent!! Thin blue smoke even heat. 

Only problem is how do I explain to the wife the missing grate....... 
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I told her it will be back in a few hours......

Thanks for the tip!!
 
bikr4jc, this is what I ended up doing: I took a $10 replacement gas stove top cooking grate and set that on top of the raised lip where the burner is.  I set a cast iron pan on top of that and wood chunks on top of the pan.  Problem solved.  I had perfect thin blue smoke piping out.  :)  
Yee haw! I love the concept of keeping it simple. Where did you get your grate and what sized pan?
 
 
I know you asked Darthtrader but I will chime in also.  I used a 12" cast iron pan, then I went to the local appliance repair store that repairs and sells parts.  I told them what I was looking for and what I was using it for.  The guy goes into the backroom and brings out a used grate he had back there, best $2 I ever spent...  Here are some pics of the mod I did....
 
Thanks to all the posts and great ideas.

Just smoked my first butt, (turned out Mmmm Mmmm, Good)
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  BUT,  I too found the wood tray and the water pan to be difficult. I ended up taking the rack just above the water pan out and used a cup to pour water into the tray.  And the wood tray after the first refill I was already thinking of how to to make this easier to handle. 

So with all these great post I know now what I will do.  THANKS
 
A picture's worth a thousand words!  Thanks for sharing, bikr4jc!  That's exactly what I did.  
 
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