A friend gave me this smoker

[r2 builders]

Hey Dave,
One question that didn't get answered was what the names on the grates mean.
The one over thr fire box says "smoker"

20170422_070247.jpg

• r2 builders
• Apr 22, 2017

20170422_070127.jpg

• r2 builders
• Apr 22, 2017

The one in the cook chamber says "BBQ"

20170422_070304.jpg

• r2 builders
• Apr 22, 2017

20170422_070300.jpg

• r2 builders
• Apr 22, 2017

What do you think?

r2

 

[JckDanls 07]

I think they are just in the wrong place.... will the BBQ one go in the FB and the smoker one go in the cook chamber ??

 

[r2 builders]

Nope,
The chamber takes 2 grates both marked BBQ the fire box takes 1 grate marked smoker.
At this time I am not going to wonder about it.
I think I know which is which. : )

r2

 

[dave schiller]

I'm not sure of what the names of your grates mean in relation to your smoker.  In my mind, the grate in the firebox should be for grilling, as when you build a bed of coals under it and throw on some burgers or steaks.  I would have labeled it "Grill."  The grates in the cooking chamber are for smoking and could/should be labeled "Smoking."  I guess some folks call smoking "BBQing."  As you say, you pretty much know what they are for.

You can use the smoker for grilling by cooking whatever in the firebox with the lid open.  Then when you use it as a smoker, remove the grate from the firebox so you have better access for loading it with fuel and let the heat and smoke into the cooking chamber with the firebox lid closed.

It may be that the grates you have are/were used in several different types of units and are generic/standard.  Are they all the same dimension?  Do you have two sections of grate in the cooking chamber or one long grate?  If two, they could have been switched or something.

I think the ultimate answer is meaningless.  Someone else may come along with THE explanation.