ECB is back!! Well ... sort of

[hawtsauc3]

https://www.ghpgroupinc.com/product-details/DGX376BCS-D.html

It looks like dyno-glo came out with a new $55 smoker but it looks almost exactly like the ECB except with dampers and a proper charcoal grate. I mean personally I’m going WSM finally but I still think it’s cool

 

[gmc2003]

I'm not sure about this one, maybe I'm wrong. Per their description: " high capacity galvanized steel charcoal and ash chamber" The two areas that come in contact with higher heat and hot coals are galvanized steel. Not a good combo in my opinion.

Chris

 

[hawtsauc3]

Yeah I’m skeptical on their whole charcoal part design. My excitement is really around the fact that it’s about the same price as an ecb and similar initial design, so it gives options for those who wanted to mod an ECB to have a new unit to do it to

 

[gmc2003]

It has a very good price point and may be a terrific source for ECB replacement parts. However I didn't really see the dimensions. Is it a 14", 18" or 22"? It's definitely worth looking into a little more closely just not for the lower section.

Chris

 

[hawtsauc3]

Just checked and looks like 18.5 that’s a bummer I was hoping it was like full on ecb compatible

 

[Madman960]

I picked up an Expert Grill charcoal water smoker at Wal-Mart for $25. I also have an ECB. I have not completely checked compatibility yet. However, the lid with the much better thermometer fits perfectly. Also the legs attach to the outside and it had a grate for the charcoal pan. I plan to check the rest of the parts over the next couple days as i am off work til Thursday.

 

[Madman960]

I was in correct. The legs are not on the outside. Spitting image of the ECB tho. Yes, everything is interchangeable. The lid is my favorite. It has a metal ring around it like i was planning to mod the ECB lid. The lid also has vents and a much better thermometer.

 

[Madman960]

Some side by side pics.

 

[Madman960]

1st picture is both units fully assembled. 2nd picture has lids switched. 3rd picture is of the lip of the lid on the expert grill smoker. Probably just going to purchase a 2nd expert grill smoker for spare parts and experimentation. Last picture is the lid of the ECB.

Both units have the same lack of air flow around the charcoal pan. As well as not being air tight above the charcoal pan.

I guess i need to move the legs outside on both units, drill holes in both charcoal pans, and fill the gap near the top of both charcoal pans. And add legs to both charcoal pans so i can easily move the bodies to add more charcoal. I also need to locate a small grate for the ECB charcoal pan to keep the coals off the bottom. However, if i buy a 2nd expert grill unit, i won't have to mod the ECB lid and i can use the charcoal grate from it as well. $25 new at my local Wal-Mart. They only have a few left. Online says out of stock.

If i am missing any mods, please inform me.

Thanks.

Madman

 

[hawtsauc3]

Seems about right. I personally was always a fan of doing a portable grill for the charcoal source. The reason I never did it was because if it didn’t work I’d just be out more money. I went WSM but my neighbor wanted my ECB. I told him the mods to do and he might try that method. I think I would have actually tried the mods had brinkmann not folded but I got mine after bankruptcy and so I knew spare parts wouldn’t be feasible

 

[kelbro]

Another copy showing up in the Bass Pro/Cabelas Christmas catalog for $40. Can't see if there's a damper on top in their pix.

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/redhead-charcoal-water-smoker.

Shoot, one grate and one water bowl would cost that much!

 

[Madman960]

So i went back to my local Wal-Mart and they raised the price on the smoker to $35. Not a huge deal. Will wait and see if they go on clearance before buying another. Also was at HD last night and saw a 10 in by 10 ft roll of aluminum flashing for $8. Thinking about getting that to make a lip around the ECB lid and to make an air block just above the charcoal pan in both units.

I used 8x10 shelf brackets to make legs for the charcoal pan. I used tge long side on one charcoal pan and will use the short leg on the other charcoal pan and see which i like better before adding my air blocks.

 

[Madman960]

Same pictures but with the short legs.