Firebox set up

[Northern_Cowboy]

Chargriller Competition Pro offset smoker.

Assembled an expanded steel coal basket. I have used that in the cooking chamber to smoke 'n' sear burgers and steaks, so that's good. I've watched tons of videos and some recommend to build your coal bed along the rear half the fire box. Is it better to pile it up or spread it out? Just watched a video where the guy assembled his expanded steel basket that was very narrow and it basically ran front to back, and was tapered to keep everything essentially piled up, rather than spread out.

If it's better to keep it piled, would it be better to spread it out. If piled is better, is it better to do so along the rear of the firebox, essentially in line with the flow of air, or front to back, perpendicular to the flow of air. If perpendicular is better, would it be better to have the pile closer to the vent or closer to the cook chamber?

 

[JWFokker]

Take a look at this. The guy with the narrow basket and tapered sides is on the right track.

Fire Management Basket

Our fire management basket has been designed to help increase the efficiency on our stick burners. This is done by concentrating the coals and directing airflow in such a way to maximize your fuel and help prevent dirty smoke. This is achieved by directing primary combustion air directly into...

lonestargrillz.com

 

[Northern_Cowboy]

Take a look at this. The guy with the narrow basket and tapered sides is on the right track.

Fire Management Basket

Our fire management basket has been designed to help increase the efficiency on our stick burners. This is done by concentrating the coals and directing airflow in such a way to maximize your fuel and help prevent dirty smoke. This is achieved by directing primary combustion air directly into...

lonestargrillz.com

The guy with the narrow basket had a much narrower basket than that. It was maybe 8" at the top and 3-4" at the bottom. Basically one piece of wood for his rig fit almost all the way down.

Is it better to have your coals all in one smaller pile?

 

[JWFokker]

The trick is maintaining depth to the coal bed and concentrating heat so the wood burns hot and clean. Spread your coals out and the heat output will be roughly the same but the split you throw in may smolder. Concentrating and directing the heat like a starter chimney or rocket stove is the way to go.

 

[JWFokker]

Size of the fire basket should be determined by the size of the smoker and desired cook temperature.

 

[Northern_Cowboy]

The trick is maintaining depth to the coal bed and concentrating heat so the wood burns hot and clean. Spread your coals out and the heat output will be roughly the same but the split you throw in may smolder. Concentrating and directing the heat like a starter chimney or rocket stove is the way to go.

Thanks for that tip! I guess I know what I'm going to do on my next cook!

 

[Northern_Cowboy]

Size of the fire basket should be determined by the size of the smoker and desired cook temperature.

I made mine, roughly, 12"x12"x6" tall. I got two 12"x24" sheets from Lowes, crossed them and folded up the sides. Can't get much bigger else it wouldn't fit through the smoke box opening. It's maybe 1/4" taller than optimal to use in the cook chamber; the grate is raised up a tad when I direct grill over it (smoke the burgers or steaks for 30-60 minutes and then finish directly over).

 

[Smokin Okie]

I just bought the LSG 20" basket for my Old Country Brazos. I've yet to cook with it. Right off, I like how it will allow me to move the fire toward the side door of the FB, or move it closer to the cook chamber if I'd want to do that. I think I gained the benefit of a longer FB.

Im currently not using a grate in the FB. I have the original grate and I made one of expanded metal that has better air flow. But if I put this basket on the grate, then I have to load splits through the top door.

I'm thinking about setting it on fire brick, something like this

 

[Northern_Cowboy]

I just bought the LSG 20" basket for my Old Country Brazos. I've yet to cook with it. Right off, I like how it will allow me to move the fire toward the side door of the FB, or move it closer to the cook chamber if I'd want to do that. I think I gained the benefit of a longer FB.

Im currently not using a grate in the FB. I have the original grate and I made one of expanded metal that has better air flow. But if I put this basket on the grate, then I have to load splits through the top door.

I'm thinking about setting it on fire brick, something like this

That's a huge side opening! Let me know how it works out!

 

[Smokin Okie]

There's also this option

 

[Smokin Okie]

View from the top, can see the wiggle room I have for moving the fire away from cook chamber

 

[Smokin Okie]

Had a problem with the fire brick sliding down. Only thing holding them in place was the weight of the basket, which btw is purty heavy.

So I cut a piece of expanded metal to lay down the middle of the bottom of the FB. It holds the brick in place perfectly .

 

[Dantij]

I bought the smaller one and used it for the 1st time Saturday. Didn't like it. The wood splits that I buy are generally 2-3 inches longer than the basket so the portion that hangs over the edge of the basket tends to smolder a little. My firebox is 19 inches so obviously the 20 inch was out of the question. I do believe the basket will work perfectly if I shorten up my wood splits. Not sure if I want to add more labor to the process.

 

[Northern_Cowboy]

I bought the smaller one and used it for the 1st time Saturday. Didn't like it. The wood splits that I buy are generally 2-3 inches longer than the basket so the portion that hangs over the edge of the basket tends to smolder a little. My firebox is 19 inches so obviously the 20 inch was out of the question. I do believe the basket will work perfectly if I shorten up my wood splits. Not sure if I want to add more labor to the process.

Mad Scientist BBQ channel on YouTube uses a miter saw to cut his splits to length. I've seen others do the same. It is another step, but it might be worth it, if you have a miter saw and it's 'handy' (I have one, but it's somewhat buried; lol).

 

[Dantij]

Correction:
I bought the 20 inch basket, which is 12.5" long.
The 24 inch basket is 19" long, which is the size of my firebox. 16" would have been perfect for the Lang 48.

 

[Smokin Okie]

. I do believe the basket will work perfectly if I shorten up my wood splits. Not sure if I want to add more labor to the process.

Every time I fire up my Brazos, I have my miter saw close by. I attach the saw to a 2' X 4' piece of 3/4" plywood and clamp it on top of a Black and Decker WorkMate. Its ready to go.

I can then cut splits to exactly the size I need. I also use a Kindling Cracker before using the miter saw.

But I just ordered a reciprocating saw with some 9" pruning blades. Its cordless. I think it will be much easier to use ( and I'm told its safer than the miter saw, though I've never had serious problems the miter ) , once I figure out a good method to hold the splits in place. I think the WorkMate might come back into play.

 

[Dantij]

I don't have a miter saw but I do have a sawzall. I'm not sure why I bought the basket. I was just looking to burn wood more efficiently I guess. I've never had a problem holding temps or producing clear exhaust or blue smoke. Might be seeing this basket on Ebay!!

 

[Northern_Cowboy]

Every time I fire up my Brazos, I have my miter saw close by. I attach the saw to a 2' X 4' piece of 3/4" plywood and clamp it on top of a Black and Decker WorkMate. Its ready to go.

I can then cut splits to exactly the size I need. I also use a Kindling Cracker before using the miter saw.

But I just ordered a reciprocating saw with some 9" pruning blades. Its cordless. I think it will be much easier to use ( and I'm told its safer than the miter saw, though I've never had serious problems the miter ) , once I figure out a good method to hold the splits in place. I think the WorkMate might come back into play.

Based on your description, I can't imagine how a miter saw would be more dangerous than a recip saw. Sounds like you have a great setup there!

 

[Northern_Cowboy]

I don't have a miter saw but I do have a sawzall. I'm not sure why I bought the basket. I was just looking to burn wood more efficiently I guess. I've never had a problem holding temps or producing clear exhaust or blue smoke. Might be seeing this basket on Ebay!!

The most difficult part will be securing the split while you cut it. Recip saws are pretty crude tools meant for demolition where quality of cut isn't really important. Make sure to secure the split well, and you should be fine.

 

[JWFokker]

A good pruning blade makes a big difference when cutting splits with a reciprocating saw.