Convert GMG to charcoal?

[lght]

I have a GMG jim bowie one of the very old ones I think the serial number is under 200. The motor, controller, and igniter are all dead so I'm considering on using it for charcoal since my WSM doesn't have the space this does.. Has anyone converted an pellet grill before?

I'm concerned with the coals burning out the bottom or sides due to heat, but I guess I could always put some bricks on the bottom / sides or something??

Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated..

 

[02ebz06]

Why not talk to GMG and try to revive it?
Who knowns, they may help you out on price.
Costs nothing to talk to them.

Might even be easier that converting as well.

 

[lght]

I thought about it, but just got a new one instead... I really didn't want to put money into a smoker with 12+ years of age on it...

 

[02ebz06]

Gotcha
Can't help with converting, never tried.

 

[chopsaw]

I would think as long as the body isn't cast aluminum , and you run a good charcoal grate it would work . What's the max temp on it running pellets ?

 

[Randy1]

A suggestion albeit I have not converted a pellet grill. Nor am I familiar with this grill you posted so this is a shot in the dark.
A simple conversion is using a piece of expanded metal for the charcoal. I have made charcoal grills out of train air tanks for braking with this simple method. You might find a precut piece at a box home depot or the like. Bend to fit.

Just remember the hot charcoal will shorten tthe grill life after the paint burns off the bottom.

 

[BigW.]

It would probably work for awhile, but because the metal is thin..not forever. The expanded metal is a good idea to keep coal off the bottom. I'd think you would need to keep lid open all the time for air, since there is not a real adjustable vent unless you fabricate one.

 

[civilsmoker]

I would think as long as the body isn't cast aluminum , and you run a good charcoal grate it would work . What's the max temp on it running pellets ?

This would be my thought. A kettle steel isn't anything special or "thickness". The older GMG were made of good steel and it should convert into a really nice coal grill. You could set the coal grate right on the older deflector plat and you will be GTG

 

[chopsaw]

This would be my thought. A kettle steel isn't anything special or "thickness".

Right . You know more than most what a forced air blast furnace is like , and that's exactly what my SmokeFire reminded me of when I had it set on 600 .
Charcoal may get hotter in general , but I would think a pellet grill rated for higher temps would handle it .
Funny because I was thinking yesterday that the design of mine would be perfect for a side fire box .

 

[civilsmoker]

Right . You know more than most what a forced air blast furnace is like , and that's exactly what my SmokeFire reminded me of when I had it set on 600 .
Charcoal may get hotter in general , but I would think a pellet grill rated for higher temps would handle it .
Funny because I was thinking yesterday that the design of mine would be perfect for a side fire box .

It would make for a very nice side burner! for moderate temps.... It would be a really nice summer cooker with nice grate space!

 

[lght]

I would think as long as the body isn't cast aluminum , and you run a good charcoal grate it would work . What's the max temp on it running pellets ?

it's not really rated for grilling so I thin the max would be around 500 or so... I would probably keep it much lower unless i'm searing a steak then the lid would be left open which is very thin aluminum.

 

[lght]

The bottom is actually pretty thick, but I was thinking about lining the bottom with ¼” high temp 3000 degree kiln shelving just to be on the safe side since I would like to sear steaks and get the temp really hot. The reason I want to go with kiln shelf is it’s pretty cheap and can be cut unlike other material. Then put a few small 1-2” kiln stands on the corners and go with expanded metal or a long thick grate for the coals…

I think the only real issue like mentioned would be fabricating a bigger cut out for air flow where the pellets go now. I may actually just leave it in place and use a stoker I haven’t used for a long time that I used to use on my WSM.

I do have some old grill grates to put on top for those hot sears I would also eventually add to it as well…