Char-Griller Smokin Pro with firebox- Mods

[bbqdux]

Awesome! thank you 

 

[5oclocksomewher]

I had bolted angle iron around the outside front and sides of my pit (stainless steel nuts and bolts) and laid nomex 1/8 inch x 1/2 inch gasket tape on top of the angle iron. For the back I put the angle iron on the inside (under grates) and a flat piece of 1/8 inch welded steel on the outside back (again using stainless steel nuts and bolts). I then put 1/4 x 1/2 inch nomex gasket on flat welded steel. I'll get a few picks up in the next day or two. The angle iron did wonders to straighten the tub out.

 

[caesars0331]

I recently finished my mods and I thought it worth mentioning just another way to seal the cooker.  I used 1/2"x1/2" "u-channel", found at lowes, in lieu of a doubling of angle iron.  I used number 6 x 1/2" stainless screws to attach it, first drilling through both sides of the channel with drill larger than the No 6 screw, then using a step bit to widen the outside hole large enough for the tip of the screwdriver to pass through.  I drilled the pilot holes in the grill with a 9/64" drill.  One length of 5/8" stove gasket from lowes was enough to do the 4 sides of the grill.  The sides and front received the u-channel, while the back received the gasket on the lower tub. 

7.JPG

• caesars0331
• Apr 12, 2014

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• caesars0331
• Apr 12, 2014

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• caesars0331
• Apr 12, 2014

 

[averagedave]

hey guys, maybe the idea of turning the darn thing on  the firebox end, and making it a vertical barrel smoker, will solve all of these problems. the firebox is in the correct position...........the cooking area is directly above  the firebox.                                                 regulate  the fire by using the door & or the original vents

drill bolts through main cooking area, so you can install food racks, on them.

anybody.........????????????????????????

 

[leadfoot93]

I found this forum a few weeks ago. I also have the Char Griller Pro with SFB. I have had it for a year. I just finished up my mods and did my rope gasket like caesar did. I have the shaker basket in the sfb and the dryer vent ready to go for tomorrow.

I had to install a latch on my main grill though, my top never closed the right way and wouldn't sit flush. So I grabbed a latch to pull it down nice and tight. I will post some pictures tomorrow! But great site and glad this topic has been going for years and wont stop!

 

[wood river bbq]

The most significant mods I made to my smoking pro and truly made the most of the baffle and tuning plates and evened my temps from side to side was to install a chimney on the fire box end. I bought a replacement from Char Grill. I kept the other chimney but just closed it off -- it looked like the cooker had dual exhausts!! I felt my problem was that with the tuning plates I re directed the heat/smoke but as soon as it hit the far end of the cook chamber it made a bee line for the chimney. The chimney at the fire box end plus the extension forced the heat/smoke over the product and then out that chimney. This is just my opinion (free advise) and not intended to influence anyone. It's just what worked for me. The product I cooked on the smoking pro, after all the mods, is as good as I now cook on my Lang.   

 

[biguglysmoker]

I have not used tuning plates myself but am building a reverse offset smoker of my own. From what I have seen and read in your pictures the plate looks a little long. For ease of holding in place other than bricks or drilling holes. Have you thought about using 1/4 to 3/8 rod tack welded in for the plate to lay on. does look like bricks might block some of the air flow. I used rods to hold my plate in for my build. Made things a lot easier to keep in place.

 

[leadfoot93]

Just wanted to post some pics of the Smoker and the results!

WP_20140511_11_58_47_Pro.jpg

• leadfoot93
• May 13, 2014

WP_20140511_11_58_53_Pro.jpg

• leadfoot93
• May 13, 2014

WP_20140511_11_59_03_Pro.jpg

• leadfoot93
• May 13, 2014

WP_20140511_18_14_56_Pro.jpg

• leadfoot93
• May 13, 2014

WP_20140511_18_17_14_Pro.jpg

• leadfoot93
• May 13, 2014

 

[jarjarchef]

Leadfoot93 looks good.

Where did you get the shaker basket? My FIL has the Outlaw version of the Char griller and was looking to help him make a few mods. He does not want to weld anything this time.

 

[leadfoot93]

Amazon.com ill find the link and post later

 

[bjlasota]

Morning folks,

I’m new here and new to smoking. My wife bought me a Char griller Duo and the side fire box. I’ve been grilling both with propane and charcoal for years. I’ve picked this and multiple other forums apart and still have a few questions hopefully someone can answer. First, my intent isn’t to hack this LONG thread based on the Smokin Pro, but I figured that the duo with the firebox is close to the same. Some are new questions and some based on the mods I’ve seen through this thread. A lot of my questions arise because it seems I have a newer model than some have described on here. So here goes nothing:

• The first thing I noticed was the large opening in the grill and SFB sides where they meet. Older models have punch outs, but both my grill and SFB have a bolted on section. I unscrewed and removed both plates, then attached the SFB to the grill chamber. Is there a problem with this opening being so big, does it help better, or should I keep one of the plates on so its basically a damper opening instead of huge open hole?
•  
• Some say to flip the charcoal tray in the SFB. Well the slide on mine is welded to the slide door and if I were to flip it, it would actually allow air under the plate instead of above where the coals and wood will be. I did notice that mine came with a grate for the coal. This grate sits about midway between the top and bottom of the air intake vent, so I’d assume I don’t have to do any modifications there? I actually found that you flip the grate in the main chamber, not in the SFB. So what does that do? Seams like it would catch the smoke, carry it to the left side of the grill, and straight up the smoke stack without touching the food?
•  
• I’ve seen a lot of people put dryer vents on their out vent on the top. Anyone get past that curved lip without having a bunch of curse words?
•  
• The grill when put together without the SFB has a BEEFY handle for moving the grill around. When adding the SFB, that handle has to be removed and you install a small handle onto SFB for moving. This handle seems tiny and even though I tightened everything snug, the SFB still flexes a bit when picking up. I feel like it’s going to break. Thoughts?
•  
• Is there any seasoning I need to do to any part of the grill or SFB to prolong it’s life. The grills grates are all glass coated so I’d assume no seasoning there. I’ll only be using the SFB as a smoking chamber so I won’t be cooking food in it. Has anyone ever “seasoned” the whole grill to prevent corrosion or is there anything I can do to get the most out of this grill and smoker?
• I’ve seen from the Smokin pro, some people put 1/16” plate lips around the edges of the lids to prevent smoke escape. I’ve noticed on my newer model that there already is lips. So I’ll probably go at it 1 round and check where everything leaks.
• Lastly and this probably belongs in the recipe thread, but anyone have any good starter recipes that I can’t screw up this weekend? I get pretty creative when it comes to grilling, so I’m hoping I’ll have as much fun with smoking. Woods to use, marinades, etc?

I just got this, but I’d like to have it up and running by this weekend for Memorial day. Plan on picking up loads of meat tomorrow to start marinating and would love to start smoking Saturday morning if possible. Thanks for all the help in advance. And sorry if these have already been answered elsewhere.

 

[daveomak]

Morning folks,


I’m new here and new to smoking. My wife bought me a Char griller Duo and the side fire box. I’ve been grilling both with propane and charcoal for years. I’ve picked this and multiple other forums apart and still have a few questions hopefully someone can answer. First, my intent isn’t to hack this LONG thread based on the Smokin Pro, but I figured that the duo with the firebox is close to the same. Some are new questions and some based on the mods I’ve seen through this thread. A lot of my questions arise because it seems I have a newer model than some have described on here. So here goes nothing:

• The first thing I noticed was the large opening in the grill and SFB sides where they meet. Older models have punch outs, but both my grill and SFB have a bolted on section. I unscrewed and removed both plates, then attached the SFB to the grill chamber. Is there a problem with this opening being so big, does it help better, or should I keep one of the plates on so its basically a damper opening instead of huge open hole?
  
  The large opening will improve air/heat/smoke flow to the CC....
  
  
• Some say to flip the charcoal tray in the SFB. Well the slide on mine is welded to the slide door and if I were to flip it, it would actually allow air under the plate instead of above where the coals and wood will be. I did notice that mine came with a grate for the coal. This grate sits about midway between the top and bottom of the air intake vent, so I’d assume I don’t have to do any modifications there? I actually found that you flip the grate in the main chamber, not in the SFB. So what does that do? Seams like it would catch the smoke, carry it to the left side of the grill, and straight up the smoke stack without touching the food?
  
  With air flow in the FB, too much air flow above the heat source could cool the CC and not allow for desired temps... Skifreak did a mod on his smoker to allow for adjustment above the heat source....
  
  View media item 312435
  
• I’ve seen a lot of people put dryer vents on their out vent on the top. Anyone get past that curved lip without having a bunch of curse words?
  
  If you are not adding a RF plate, you may not need to extend the stack lower in the CC.....
  
  
• The grill when put together without the SFB has a BEEFY handle for moving the grill around. When adding the SFB, that handle has to be removed and you install a small handle onto SFB for moving. This handle seems tiny and even though I tightened everything snug, the SFB still flexes a bit when picking up. I feel like it’s going to break. Thoughts?
  
  Add additional bolts to the FB/CC connection... that could help.....
  
  
• Is there any seasoning I need to do to any part of the grill or SFB to prolong it’s life. The grills grates are all glass coated so I’d assume no seasoning there. I’ll only be using the SFB as a smoking chamber so I won’t be cooking food in it. Has anyone ever “seasoned” the whole grill to prevent corrosion or is there anything I can do to get the most out of this grill and smoker?
  
  Some folks Food Grade oil the entire smoker to help reduce rusting...
  
  
• I’ve seen from the Smokin pro, some people put 1/16” plate lips around the edges of the lids to prevent smoke escape. I’ve noticed on my newer model that there already is lips. So I’ll probably go at it 1 round and check where everything leaks.
  
  If you find leaks, high temp silicone works well..... squeeze it on the lid, place plastic wrap on the smoker body and close the lid... in 24 hours or so, open and remove the plastic wrap... form fit seal...
  
  
• Lastly and this probably belongs in the recipe thread, but anyone have any good starter recipes that I can’t screw up this weekend? I get pretty creative when it comes to grilling, so I’m hoping I’ll have as much fun with smoking. Woods to use, marinades, etc?

I just got this, but I’d like to have it up and running by this weekend for Memorial day. Plan on picking up loads of meat tomorrow to start marinating and would love to start smoking Saturday morning if possible. Thanks for all the help in advance. And sorry if these have already been answered elsewhere.

Get a good thermometer to monitor CC temps.....


Dave

 

[bjlasota]

I'm a homebrewer, and as such, I have multiple long stemmed thermometers. Would it be ok for this weekend to close the lid on top of them(one on each end of the CC) with the gauge on the outside?

 

[daveomak]

I'm a homebrewer, and as such, I have multiple long stemmed thermometers. Would it be ok for this weekend to close the lid on top of them(one on each end of the CC) with the gauge on the outside?

Drill holes.... those therms have a wire running down the stem.. you do not want to bend or crimp the stem....

 

[femurphy77]

BJ, in response to your question about what to do about a handle after adding a SFB to your chargriller, this was my solution;

IMG_0217.jpg

• femurphy77
• May 21, 2014

I don't have a current photo but I finally finished it up with a handle on the end of the frame next to the sfb to make it easy to move around.  The frame is 2x2 steel tubing, the big wheels are replacement wheels for a lawnmower, the swivels are something I picked up at a fleamarket.  The swivel tires are air filled so I occasionally have to top off the air pressure when it gets hard to push.  Other than that the cart works great but I would strongly suggest leaving about 6" of ground clearance, that'll make it easier to push across grass.  I'll get some more current photos and discuss the mods I've made to it since this photo was taken.  It's obvious looking at the fire box that in this picture I had yet to do a smoke in it.

 

[jonisheldon]

Would you please explain what a turning plate is and how to use it? New to smoking and trying to figure out the mods that need to be done to my Brinkman smoker. Thanks.

 

[5oclocksomewher]

Would you please explain what a turning plate is and how to use it? New to smoking and trying to figure out the mods that need to be done to my Brinkman smoker. Thanks.

Lot of guys use them for even temps across the grate. The firebox side is much hotter without them. In order to even out my temps I bought a baffle online. The guy's name that makes them is Ernie. His website is www.kickassbbqsouth.com. Buy a baffle from him and you'll have even temps a across your grate.

image.jpg

• 5oclocksomewher
• May 24, 2014

One other thing that helps is a charcoal basket.

image.jpg

• 5oclocksomewher
• May 24, 2014

 

[daveomak]

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/54542/building-an-italian-offset-smoker


A good explanation of smokers....

 

[boudin4evr]

this is my first ever post, I would love to see the above mod pictures

thanks

 

[boudin4evr]

what is the most economical and best thermo's out there? I'll do that first and I am getting

my duo 5050 with SFB for Fathers Day! Ill season it and figure out what do yall recommend to smoke forst for a total newbie?

Where do you guys get your wood? any mailorder sites?

thanks