Masterbuild XL Mods - Post your mods here!

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For those that prefer a dry cook (empty or sand filled water pan), are you using a regulator to get the heat down? Just put some halfed chickens on and wanted to keep it around 275 for a couple of hours, as I'll be taking to a party and finishing off on the grill. At 10:30 a.m. it was already 100 degrees outside and inside of smoker was 106.

Took it up to 350 before putting the birds in to get smoke going. Was at 250 when I closed her up. At the lowest level of gas, it was still climbing to 320+, so I added some water to the pan (using 20x12 disposable catering pans) and was able to get it where I needed. I wasn't planning to mess with the valve, but wonder if I'm going to have to, or go with some water in the pan when outside temps are higher.
 
For those that prefer a dry cook (empty or sand filled water pan), are you using a regulator to get the heat down? Just put some halfed chickens on and wanted to keep it around 275 for a couple of hours, as I'll be taking to a party and finishing off on the grill. At 10:30 a.m. it was already 100 degrees outside and inside of smoker was 106.

Took it up to 350 before putting the birds in to get smoke going. Was at 250 when I closed her up. At the lowest level of gas, it was still climbing to 320+, so I added some water to the pan (using 20x12 disposable catering pans) and was able to get it where I needed. I wasn't planning to mess with the valve, but wonder if I'm going to have to, or go with some water in the pan when outside temps are higher.
Your rear vent was open right? (I forgot one time I closed the vent and put the cover on, took cover off, but forgot to open rear vent) I have no problem running mine at low temps, and it's 100 plus 100% humidity here. For chickens at 275 or 300 with an empty pan, if I look at the knob from the halfway point of low/medium point (arrow on know points straight down), a turn it just about a 1/4" or so towards the medium setting.
 
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For those that prefer a dry cook (empty or sand filled water pan), are you using a regulator to get the heat down? Just put some halfed chickens on and wanted to keep it around 275 for a couple of hours, as I'll be taking to a party and finishing off on the grill. At 10:30 a.m. it was already 100 degrees outside and inside of smoker was 106.

Took it up to 350 before putting the birds in to get smoke going. Was at 250 when I closed her up. At the lowest level of gas, it was still climbing to 320+, so I added some water to the pan (using 20x12 disposable catering pans) and was able to get it where I needed. I wasn't planning to mess with the valve, but wonder if I'm going to have to, or go with some water in the pan when outside temps are higher.
I've never had that problem,,, I can consistently run 200 to 375+ with out any problems. I filled my original water pan with sand and rock and covered it with foil to use as a heat mass. I use a disposable foil pan as a drip'ins catcher placed on top of it, If I want water (steam) then I fill the pan with 1-2" of water,,, other wise I leave it dry.
 
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I don't cover the vents in the original chip pan, no need to do that. I don't use wood chips I use wood chunks and they do very well. 
 
Do you cover the original chip pan or vents at all when using this? I prefer chunks of wood vs chips. During seasoning, the chunks burned fast (understanding that the XL heat was cranked to 400+). During my first smoke, I covered the chip pan with foil, putting rolled foil "cigars" over the chip pan vents to block, and the chunks really didn't get a lot of smoke going at all.

Also, for those using the Maverick thermometers...are you just routing the probe wires out the door frame (it doesn't seem to pinch)?
I don't cover the vents in the original chip pan, no need to do that. I don't use wood chips I use wood chunks and they do very well. 
 
I ended up getting the charbroil cover that others on this site have said fit the smoker perfectly, and here is what it looks like fitting over the stack

I also included a photo of the stack so you can see it up close, mine came pretty quick, i ordered it on a Tuesday and it arrived on a Friday. the screws that held the handle to the baffle adjuster and the screw that sets the tension for the adjuster were loose, but after tightening them, it works great.

Just ordered my smokestack today and the total with shipping is now a little over $13. Just heads up on price change. Told the rep I damaged mine when moving. :D
 
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My MBXL has been running great since the mods, still needs some small tweaking. I tossed the original chip pan and water pan. For the water pan I bought a full sized hotel pan -
It fits great and holds a lot of water, I also use it a lot in an out of the smoker when I don't need a water pan.

For the chip pan I use a 12" iron skillet that I rest on top of a grill wok. The chips still burn kind of fast so I think I need a little more height, I'm just going to put a couple nuts and bolts in the middle of the grill wok to raise it up a little more. I replaced the bolts for the burner in the bottom of the smoker, I think they originally screwed in through the bottom into the threaded nubs. Poor design, they rusted solid.

I put in the master forge chimney and it works great! better air flow and I think it helps regulate the temp better. Sealed the door with some red RTV, the door seals nice and tight and doesn't leak nearly as bad.

I did re paint the whole smoker. I gave it a good work over with the wire brush wheel and used high temp grill paint. The paints holding up a lot better inside and outside of the smoker than the original paint, however it's already cracked off the bottom again but everywhere else looks great. I also got a cover and it's helped a lot keeping the moisture out.

I plan on attaching a charcoal firebox this year like someone else did on this post. I like the idea of being able to use both charcoal or propane and need more practice with the charcoal. Also thought it would be good to put my amnps inside for cold smokes. I plan on putting in some sort of damper so I can close off the firebox when not in use. Then if I can just build a sweet cart I'll be set!
 
This is the order info from a earlier post that I used to order.

Ordering information for the stack
Service Dept # (800) 963-0211 hrs 8am-6pm M-T 8am-5pm F EST
The lowes model number is 0190449
They said that they didnt use the model number for the part but used the item description but here are both
Smoker Stack - 302-02009-00
On the assembly instructions its reference id is H
 
My MBXL has been running great since the mods, still needs some small tweaking. I tossed the original chip pan and water pan. For the water pan I bought a full sized hotel pan -
It fits great and holds a lot of water, I also use it a lot in an out of the smoker when I don't need a water pan.

For the chip pan I use a 12" iron skillet that I rest on top of a grill wok. The chips still burn kind of fast so I think I need a little more height, I'm just going to put a couple nuts and bolts in the middle of the grill wok to raise it up a little more. I replaced the bolts for the burner in the bottom of the smoker, I think they originally screwed in through the bottom into the threaded nubs. Poor design, they rusted solid.

I put in the master forge chimney and it works great! better air flow and I think it helps regulate the temp better. Sealed the door with some red RTV, the door seals nice and tight and doesn't leak nearly as bad.

I did re paint the whole smoker. I gave it a good work over with the wire brush wheel and used high temp grill paint. The paints holding up a lot better inside and outside of the smoker than the original paint, however it's already cracked off the bottom again but everywhere else looks great. I also got a cover and it's helped a lot keeping the moisture out.

I plan on attaching a charcoal firebox this year like someone else did on this post. I like the idea of being able to use both charcoal or propane and need more practice with the charcoal. Also thought it would be good to put my amnps inside for cold smokes. I plan on putting in some sort of damper so I can close off the firebox when not in use. Then if I can just build a sweet cart I'll be set!
I like your idea about the external fire box, I was also thinking about this for an amnps to rest in for a cold smoke or even in place or to supplement the wood chunks in my Cast pan. I would love to see pics or a list of the materials that you use to do this. I also like the idea of the stack,,, I just may do this,,,,,,

Check out my wheels that I built, cheap wheels from Harbor Freight, Lowes has some also. It works great!! Best thing I did,,, its so easy to move and store, even when its hot and smoking.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/products/masterbuilt-gas-smoker-xl/reviews/4263
 
I have done some modifications to my XL. I need to keep the temps around 170 for smoking some sausage. Not possible with propane. I even have added the needle valve to the gas line. So I picked up a cheap single burner hot plate. After some experiments one burner will only get the internal temp up to 150. Added one more hot plate and now with both set to medium I can maintain 170 all day. I can move it to High and get up to about 200. My AMPS is sitting on a gas stove grate. The cast iron frying pan hold and disburses some of the heat.

My other mods...

1. Welded on all four legs. They had been knocked loose a couple times moving the unit.

2. Added a wheeled base

3. For hot smoking I took a piece of copper tubing drilled multiple tiny holes in it ran it though the grease hole and out to an double aquarium air pump. The AMPS sits on the copper tubing bent into a 'U" shape on the floor next to the burner.

4. Added the gas stove grate to top of burner. I will use the cast iron frying pan occasionally but the grate has a ceramic tile clamped to it the shield the AMPS from direct heat. I would sometimes get flare-ups.

5. Added wool felt tape gasket to doors and frame to seal the unit. I got a huge roll on EBay for cheap.

6. Cut and reweld the water pan frame to accommodate a Stainless hotel pan. The pan is filled with lava rocks I had onhand and is covered. It holds the heat really well and I set a drip pan on top to catch juices.

7. Added the needle valve to the gas line. IMHO this was not really needed. I can adjust the flame with the regular knob by turning it back towards OFF position.

 
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what are the dimensions of your stand?  what did you use to build it?  I am 6' 5" and want to make a stand so mine is a little higher up than it is at stock height. 
 
 
I just transferred to Japan. And I fired up the smoker and I now can't get it above 200*F. Has anybody ever had this issue?
 
I just transferred to Japan. And I fired up the smoker and I now can't get it above 200*F. Has anybody ever had this issue?
yes. you have to rest your pressure valve. google may help you  as i can't recall the steps. it easy just disconnecting and re-pressurizing it.

some thing like open the valve to full, open you burners up, close the burners. shit off the tank. disconnect the tank. reconnect the tank, burners off. open Valve to full(should always be open to all the way) open burner to full. light.

just double check those steps.
 
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