Advice on new OC Pecos buy🙏

[texasfungi]

Just bought a brand new OC Pecos. I've been smoking briskets for a few years, but alway bought a used stick burner. I have a few questions..
-best way to burn it out/clean off manufacturing grease before first food use
-how to easily break off that baffle directing the smoke down from the fire box
-plan on buying a stack extension (exhaust pipe from home depot) was thinking 24" addition. Smoke stack is 5.25 inches in diameter on the inside. Any help on securing it. Used auto exhaust tape previously..
-pretty warm here in Georgia, what's y'alls thought on lining the fire box with fire bricks?
THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP!

 

[mike243]

Welcome Home, I think id hold off breaking anything till you run it some, it will get to hot near the fire box, fire it up run it a couple hours at different temps wash the grates and have at it

 

[912smoker]

Welcome neighbor to SMF from SE GA !
I agree with Mike to use it is then determine if you want/need to make any mods. Use a couple of temp probes to measure several areas of the grate.

Build up a good fire and do a burnoff to remove any excess and get to smokin'!

Google luck and post up some picks of your Que !

Keith

 

[JLeonard]

Welcome from Mississippi. Look forward to your post and pics.


Jim

 

[Smokin Okie]

Learn the smoker as it is and then make one mod at a time so you can tell the impact or gauge if it was needed. Making a bunch of changes at once just mucks up the process.

 

[NefariousTrashMan]

I own a pecos and ended up lining the firebox with fire brick definitely helps hold heat better. I removed the baffle using a grinder. Added a stack extension using stove pipe and a big clamp. Also use a water pan against the fire box side. The pit runs well now, the temps are fairly even and it burns a clean fire pretty easily. I usually run it at 275 and add a split every 30-40 mins. But like others mentioned use it first and then start tinkering.

 

[ConrodM]

Totally agree- Start where it’s at & 1- mod at a time if you’re not happy with base line

 

[fxsales1959]

Just bought a brand new OC Pecos. I've been smoking briskets for a few years, but alway bought a used stick burner. I have a few questions..
-best way to burn it out/clean off manufacturing grease before first food use
-how to easily break off that baffle directing the smoke down from the fire box
-plan on buying a stack extension (exhaust pipe from home depot) was thinking 24" addition. Smoke stack is 5.25 inches in diameter on the inside. Any help on securing it. Used auto exhaust tape previously..
-pretty warm here in Georgia, what's y'alls thought on lining the fire box with fire bricks?
THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP! View attachment 688674

Good advice from everybody here. Reminds me of my old K Joe highland. My best early mods were lavalock gaskets around the CC door and door clamps to get a tight seal.

 

[millerbuilds]

Welcome to SMF from North Texas!
There is a thread for OC Wrangler/Pecos with a bunch of information on mods.
Retired Spook did a great thread on removing the Baffle. As for the fire bricks, I highly recommend them or a large water pan to maintain temps. You will also want to look at tuning plates and may need to make some mods to seal it up.

- Jason

 

[Smokin Okie]

Welcome to SMF from North Texas!
There is a thread for OC Wrangler/Pecos with a bunch of information on mods.
Retired Spook did a great thread on removing the Baffle. As for the fire bricks, I highly recommend them or a large water pan to maintain temps. You will also want to look at tuning plates and may need to make some mods to seal it up.

- Jason

IMO, tuning plates in a smoker that exhausts at grate level are not a good mix.

Too much heat runs under the plates and right out of the exhaust. It negates the value of removing the baffle.

 

[millerbuilds]

IMO, tuning plates in a smoker that exhausts at grate level are not a good mix.

Too much heat runs under the plates and right out of the exhaust. It negates the value of removing the baffle.

Thanks for pointing that out. I meant as an option if you don't remove the baffle. It worked for me, but others have removed the baffle or removed and replaced with an adjustable damper/baffle.

- Jason