Brinkmann Trailmaster Limted Edition - mods

[drphx81]

Hey everyone. I'm almost done and have completed over 8 mods and have made this cheap smoker into an airtight master piece. Last thing I need advice on is on pros and cons of fire bricks for temp maintenance?? Should I put maybe 2 or 3 on top of my tuning plates? Any and all advice is much appreciated.

 

[ribwizzard]

I would have to see a pic before committing to anything........

 

[drphx81]

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

 

[drphx81]

I'm going to post a pic of all my mods. I will
Explain each mod after I post all pics

 

[drphx81]

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

This is a wool gasket self adhesive I put all around the door to the chamber. It is rated for 500 degrees. BBQgaskets.com

 

[drphx81]

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

I removed the garbage metal wheels and replaced them with 10 inch dolly wheels.
It's much for level and a pleasure to move around!

 

[boardpuller]

I keep a half brick on the top grate fire box side to the front chimney side to the back. I slide the firebox side back or forward for minor adjustment
 

 

[drphx81]

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

I replaced the stock thermometer with Tru-Tel 4 inch stem smoker thermometer great and simple mod

 

[drphx81]

I keep a half brick on the top grate fire box side to the front chimney side to the back. I slide the firebox side back or forward for minor adjustment

 

Let me post a pic of my firebox with my charcoal basket I'm not sure what you mean by top grate??

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

 

[drphx81]

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013
• 1

Another view of the gasket seal around the chamber door. Ask for Justin at BBQgaskets.com he's great and super knowledgable

 

[boardpuller]

sorry I should have said cooking grate
 

 

[drphx81]

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

I installed 5.5 inch 200 pins pressure toggle clamps on each side that compresses the gasket seal. No smoke is leaking out of this puppy now!! Highly recommend.

 

[drphx81]

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

Another view of the toggle clamp closed

 

[drphx81]

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

I drilled a 5/8 hole and put a rubber grommet in these holes are for my digital temp probes one on the left and one on the right. I fabricated a rubber stopper once the probe is in to prevent any heat or smoke escape.
Next pic will show the hole plugged with the stopper!

 

[drphx81]

image.jpg

• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

I drilled a 5/8 hole and put a rubber grommet in these holes are for my digital temp probes one on the left and one on the right. I fabricated a rubber stopper once the probe is in to prevent any heat or smoke escape.
Next pic will show the hole plugged with the stopper!

image.jpg

• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

 

[drphx81]

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• drphx81
• Jul 6, 2013

I replaced the porcelain grates that came with the smoker with 3/4 inch stainless explained metal. I had the metal shop cut the piece into 3 pieces and used a grinding dremel bit to take down the razor sharp edges.

 

[drphx81]

I would have to see a pic before committing to anything........

Pics are posted. Thanks for any and all advice on the addition of a fire brick

 

[drphx81]

sorry I should have said cooking grate

Here is a pic of my firebox without the basket in it. You mean place half a brick on this grate??View media item 236948
 

 

[drphx81]

So once I put my basket back in ...then put a brick in back or front or back of the basket resting in the bottom grate?

 

[drphx81]

sorry I should have said cooking grate

I removed the cooking grate to make my charcoal wood basket taller. You think a brink behind the basket would be beneficial or do you think it wouldn't change much!