Insulated Main Chamber Lid
I don’t have allot in the way of tools or skills outside the ordinary. It was a pain in the butt to do….but I have reaped more benefits than cons from the mod. It has worked out well for me. With some exceptions.
1. I can’t leave the lid down for very long when grilling with coals in the MC. The thin aluminum will expand and buckle from the intense heat generated by grilling. On the upside I don’t often have a need for the lid in the down position when grilling. In retrospect I would probably go for a little heavier aluminum and maybe have cut slots where I drilled holes…if that makes sense? I’m thinking if I had allowed for the expansion of the metal with creating some relief the aluminum, wouldn’t want to buckle?
2. Not a really big deal but the mod makes the lid two or three times heavier. So It prodded me to come up with a lid hinge pin modification to accommodate the increased weight. I never cared for the sloppy way the or slack in the mating surfaces of the lid and bottom barrel anyway.
3. The heavier lid only emphasized to me the rickety ness of the frame and wheels ….soooo it also prodded me to come up with a cheap and easy solution for a stouter frame and wheel set up.
4. I decided against using ordinary fiberglass for the insulating blanket that is between the lid and inner liner. I instead went with a product called ceramic glass. It’s supposed to be a spin off benefit from the space program that provides better insulating qualities than fiberglass? All I know is it (the mod) works very, very well. It causes the smoker to come up to temp much more quickly, and I think helps maintain steadier temps. For sure I use less fuel when using briquettes, charcoal, wood or propane. Takes less fuel to both reach and maintain target temp. IMHO.
5. I’m in the Pacific Northwest. I contend with wind heat loss more than anything else. It’s a tremendous difference in my opinion. It’s still strange to see my temp gage at 250 or 300* while laying my bare arm across the lid and only feel a pleasant warmth! If you don’t have sever heat loss issues are have found a blanket that works fine….I wouldn’t bother with the mod.
Pic 1. the insulation
2. Smk. Stk. Cutout
3. Liner installed.
It's much more invloved than you can see here and I have or think I can find pics of all my steps if there were any intrest.
