New - Oklahoma Joe's Highland Smoker

[simko]

 
Lets break this down....

1:

the RTV and "fibergrass" people use are different products. If you have to choose between one and not have the unit welded all together buy a welder, I would choose the fiberglass looking option. That is a stove rope kit found at many hardware stores. Seals pretty good but looks like hell.

2:

The plate you are seeing are tuning plates or sometimes called convection plates. Some are metal slats and some are large ones with holes. This is to even out the heat. The firebox is on the side so these plates make the left side as even as the side with the firebox.

3:

These are called baffle plates. It just direct the smoke to be lowered coming out. Some have these already built into their tuning plates.

4:

Good thermometers are easy to come by. Look up Lava lock

5:

The ductwork thing is to lower where the heat will exhaust and help fix an issue called "cold spotting". If you have a tuning plate, this is not needed. Personally it's not really needed at all in my opinion.

6:

Charcoal baskets are a great way to optimize your fuels. Keeps the burn in one area. Recommend you spend you money on this and a convection plate.

7:

Many are using the felt stuff by Lava Lock. It's a gasket. 

8:

latches don't really have a name since they are used in may industries and are what they are....latches. you can find many of these things at bbqsmokermods.com

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Hey Ammmature, thanks for taking the time to answer/explain all my questions, I have a few more

1: Yes, I want to keep costs down and don’t want to weld everything together, any chance you (or someone here) knows the name of the fiberglass product? I’ll google things like wood stove fiberglass etc.

2:The plate you are seeing are tuning plates or sometimes called convection plates. Some are metal slats and some are large ones with holes. This is to even out the heat. The firebox is on the side so these plates make the left side as even as the side with the firebox.

OK, does this plate have an angle at one end (near the firebox) that slopes down to the bottom then levels out and goes to the other end of the ccook box? Smoke travels under this plate over the entire length of the cook box?

3: These are called baffle plates. It just direct the smoke to be lowered coming out. Some have these already built into their tuning plates.

I guess the tuning plate I just described is a baffle/tuning plate combo?

4:

Good thermometers are easy to come by. Look up Lava lock

Will do, thankyou!

5:

The ductwork thing is to lower where the heat will exhaust and help fix an issue called "cold spotting". If you have a tuning plate, this is not needed. Personally it's not really needed at all in my opinion.

Fair enough, if I build a tning plate I will start without this, and I could always add it and see if I like it, looks like a quick simple add-on

6:

I think im going to build the 20-20 basket I saw online

7:

Many are using the felt stuff by Lava Lock. It's a gasket.  I’ll look into this, or the rope. I was thinking of the fiberglass isn’t too rigid (or if it has really high heat tolerance) I may spray the box with a release agent, put the fiberglass on the lid, let it cure and that should form somewhat of a rigid seal…sortof like bedding a rifle (not sure if that resonates with many members here)

8:

just ordered some push toggle latches, 2 on the cook box, 2 on the firebox

Again, thanks very much for your response, greatly appreciated

 

[ozsmoker]

6:

I think im going to build the 20-20 basket I saw online

7:

Many are using the felt stuff by Lava Lock. It's a gasket.  I’ll look into this, or the rope. I was thinking of the fiberglass isn’t too rigid (or if it has really high heat tolerance) I may spray the box with a release agent, put the fiberglass on the lid, let it cure and that should form somewhat of a rigid seal…sortof like bedding a rifle (not sure if that resonates with many members here)

8:

just ordered some push toggle latches, 2 on the cook box, 2 on the firebox

Again, thanks very much for your response, greatly appreciated

6. I built the 20x20, if i can do it anyone can. there's a thread on it in these forums with instructions

7. i use the lavalock felt on both cook chamber and firebox, no problems yet, but i know i will will have to be replaced regularly in the firebox

8. i bought some latches for a different purpose but haven't used them yet... as for keep the cooking chamber closed better, i use two bungee cords, connected at the back end of the smoker's bottom tray then to the handle of the cooking chamber in an "X" formation. pretty easy to release and re-connect when i need to open/close the cook chamber lid

 

[comer4tide]

I like the bunjee cord idea, cheap and effective! I am torn on getting a baffle plate for this. I am currently looking at getting a lang patio or a black warrior patio model but, until then, this bad boy will have to do me and im tired of only being able to cook on 50-60% of the surface. 

BTW, does anyone know the actual measurement on the cooking chamber itself (length and diameter). I keep meaning to measure mine but forget when i get home

 

[ammaturesmoker]

 
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Hey Ammmature, thanks for taking the time to answer/explain all my questions, I have a few more

1: Yes, I want to keep costs down and don’t want to weld everything together, any chance you (or someone here) knows the name of the fiberglass product? I’ll google things like wood stove fiberglass etc.

2:The plate you are seeing are tuning plates or sometimes called convection plates. Some are metal slats and some are large ones with holes. This is to even out the heat. The firebox is on the side so these plates make the left side as even as the side with the firebox.

OK, does this plate have an angle at one end (near the firebox) that slopes down to the bottom then levels out and goes to the other end of the ccook box? Smoke travels under this plate over the entire length of the cook box?

3: These are called baffle plates. It just direct the smoke to be lowered coming out. Some have these already built into their tuning plates.

I guess the tuning plate I just described is a baffle/tuning plate combo?

4:

Good thermometers are easy to come by. Look up Lava lock

Will do, thankyou!

5:

The ductwork thing is to lower where the heat will exhaust and help fix an issue called "cold spotting". If you have a tuning plate, this is not needed. Personally it's not really needed at all in my opinion.

Fair enough, if I build a tning plate I will start without this, and I could always add it and see if I like it, looks like a quick simple add-on

6:

I think im going to build the 20-20 basket I saw online

7:

Many are using the felt stuff by Lava Lock. It's a gasket.  I’ll look into this, or the rope. I was thinking of the fiberglass isn’t too rigid (or if it has really high heat tolerance) I may spray the box with a release agent, put the fiberglass on the lid, let it cure and that should form somewhat of a rigid seal…sortof like bedding a rifle (not sure if that resonates with many members here)

8:

just ordered some push toggle latches, 2 on the cook box, 2 on the firebox

Again, thanks very much for your response, greatly appreciated

The welding cost me 30 dollars from a friend to do it....everyone knows a welder....LOL.....as for the convection plate, It's up to you. To me it sounds like you are spending more time modding than cooking. This is why I have opted to use more expensive cookers and have sold the highland unit. And I never even got close to the results I now get. Good air flow....even temps....quality may be a cost but I am cooking and not modding. Seemed like I was always modding to counter a poorly manufactured product. You can only take that so far.

 

[ozsmoker]

 
The welding cost me 30 dollars from a friend to do it....everyone knows a welder....LOL.....as for the convection plate, It's up to you. To me it sounds like you are spending more time modding than cooking. This is why I have opted to use more expensive cookers and have sold the highland unit. And I never even got close to the results I now get. Good air flow....even temps....quality may be a cost but I am cooking and not modding. Seemed like I was always modding to counter a poorly manufactured product. You can only take that so far.

what are you cooking on now?

 

[sauced]

The welding cost me 30 dollars from a friend to do it....everyone knows a welder....LOL.....as for the convection plate, It's up to you. To me it sounds like you are spending more time modding than cooking. This is why I have opted to use more expensive cookers and have sold the highland unit. And I never even got close to the results I now get. Good air flow....even temps....quality may be a cost but I am cooking and not modding. Seemed like I was always modding to counter a poorly manufactured product. You can only take that so far.

Yes....I wish I too had over $1000 to spend on a much better smoker, but I don't, so I have to add a few mods and the OKJ produces some pretty good que, I like it and the family likes it.

 

[gr0uch0]

Yes....I wish I too had over $1000 to spend on a much better smoker, but I don't, so I have to add a few mods and the OKJ produces some pretty good que, I like it and the family likes it.

A grand or better doesn't have to be spent, as has already been discussed, and that dog doesn't hunt. Nor does buying the cheapest thing either, and then having to do a bunch of crazy rigging to try and make it remotely functional, keep throwing good money after bad, and still not being happy with it. As also has been discussed, buy quality, buy once. Buy price, buy again. And again. And again.

There's another concept that is seldom used anymore that was also discussed previously. It's called saving up to buy something instead of pulling the trigger for the sake of instant gratification.

 

[comer4tide]

A grand or better doesn't have to be spent, as has already been discussed, and that dog doesn't hunt. Nor does buying the cheapest thing either, and then having to do a bunch of crazy rigging to try and make it remotely functional, keep throwing good money after bad, and still not being happy with it. As also has been discussed, buy quality, buy once. Buy price, buy again. And again. And again.

There's another concept that is seldom used anymore that was also discussed previously. It's called saving up to buy something instead of pulling the trigger for the sake of instant gratification

runing my okie joe this summer and this fall dropping the cash on a 48 patio or 60 trailer unit

 

[simko]

Hi Everyone

thanks again for sage advice. I bought the OKJ because it was 100 cad (75 usd) and it was basically unused, I just bought 4 toggle clamps for about 20 cad  , I have some rope from a wood stove that I will use as the gasket and I will have to get some sealant. I will likely whip up a tuning plate with some steel i have kicking around the house. Overall I think i will have a half decent smoker which will likely be used 3-4 times this summer for chicken thighs, maybe beef navel, thats about it.

I wanted to build an offset smoker but I don't have much time to spend on that, I feel that lightly modifying the OKJ should do me for this summer and maybe even next year, once things settle down (moving , honeymoon, etc) I will hopefully know what i like in a smoker, what feature i don't , and then i can move toward building my own.

I'll update as i go along, but for now , thanks to everyone, i really appreciate the time that it takes to formulate thoughts and write out a reply :)

 

[sauced]

A grand or better doesn't have to be spent, as has already been discussed, and that dog doesn't hunt. Nor does buying the cheapest thing either, and then having to do a bunch of crazy rigging to try and make it remotely functional, keep throwing good money after bad, and still not being happy with it. As also has been discussed, buy quality, buy once. Buy price, buy again. And again. And again.

There's another concept that is seldom used anymore that was also discussed previously. It's called saving up to buy something instead of pulling the trigger for the sake of instant gratification.

I can only speak for me but....it's what I could afford, and I was aware of the mods needed and not entering any comps. I'm having fun, the food comes out pretty good and my family likes it, and to me in my situation, that is all that matters!! Cheers

 

[ammaturesmoker]

A grand or better doesn't have to be spent, as has already been discussed, and that dog doesn't hunt. Nor does buying the cheapest thing either, and then having to do a bunch of crazy rigging to try and make it remotely functional, keep throwing good money after bad, and still not being happy with it. As also has been discussed, buy quality, buy once. Buy price, buy again. And again. And again.

There's another concept that is seldom used anymore that was also discussed previously. It's called saving up to buy something instead of pulling the trigger for the sake of instant gratification.

I did not spend near that on my offsets....but hey my time is worth more than spending time on a COS. 1000 bucks I would gladly spend if that would get me a new unit. Problem is 1000 bucks is still not enough with shipping charges. I would Be happy to only pay 1000 if Indid not have my units.

 

[ammaturesmoker]

I can only speak for me but....it's what I could afford, and I was aware of the mods needed and not entering any comps. I'm having fun, the food comes out pretty good and my family likes it, and to me in my situation, that is all that matters!! Cheers

Get to smoking yo

 

[ammaturesmoker]

http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/offset_smokers.html

 

[comer4tide]

 
http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/offset_smokers.html

good tips in there to make a COS work tho. Great read

 

[ammaturesmoker]

you know I have this guys book....it's ok but I think it is written mostly for morons who turn beer can chicken into black toast.

 

[comer4tide]

 
you know I have this guys book....it's ok but I think it is written mostly for morons who turn beer can chicken into black toast.

it is. its written for the majority of people who dont cook often or just started. i have it as well and there are some good references and points in it tho

 

[dontknowsquat]

I have a question about the RTV for this smoker. Is it ok to put the RTV on after the smoker was assembled or should I disassemble it and put the RTV in and clamp it back together?

Thanks ahead of time.

Jon

 

[thood]

I have a question about the RTV for this smoker. Is it ok to put the RTV on after the smoker was assembled or should I disassemble it and put the RTV in and clamp it back together?

Thanks ahead of time.

Jon

I did mine wen it was new and making some other mods that made disassembly necessary anyway, so that's how I did it. However I have to say I'm not sure how much it was worth. The temp between the firebox and cook chamber gets hot enough to burn out the RTV anyway, plus it was a pretty tight fit to begin with. Frankly I think we spend way to much time, talk and money on sealing up the smoker. Except for the firebox to control the air flow and temperature I really don't see the benefit of sealing up the cook chamber in the final product. I've had some great Q from some funny looking cookers, even a 55 gal drum. Of course you don't want smoke leaking out all over the place but trying to seal every tiny leak in the cook chamber isn't critical to the outcome. The OKJ is pretty good just the way it comes. I'm sure some others will disagree but the proof is in the food.
:grilling_smilie:
Tony

 

[skunkwerx]

I have a question about the RTV for this smoker. Is it ok to put the RTV on after the smoker was assembled or should I disassemble it and put the RTV in and clamp it back together?

Thanks ahead of time.

Jon

Jon,

  I think the higher quality way to your RTV job is, to disassemble, then RTV between the firebox and cooking chamber.  Make sure to use High Temp RTV,  there are several flavors that will say "High" but read the fine print for the higher temperature stuff.  You will see pics, I think even early in this thread, showing how they apply the RTV around the perimeter and around each bolt hole.  You can also place a bead on the outside, on top, where the two assemblies meet to prevent any moisture from weeping down into that crack.

I assembled mine brand new, then less than a week later dropped the firebox and RTV'd it.  Wish I had done it during first assembly, but, glad I took the extra time to disassemble. 

I don't regret it a bit.  Good luck!

 

[ammaturesmoker]

 
it is. its written for the majority of people who dont cook often or just started. i have it as well and there are some good references and  

The problem is the RTV's above 650 are NOT food safe.