Got my new smoker in yesterday! (update)

[chiefmanywrenches]

After a week of waiting, I received my Charbroil American Gourmet Deluxe SFB Smoker. I got it all put together and wheeled it to the back porch. After a good wiping down with wet paper towels, I did a test burn to get rid of whatever nasties came on it from the factory and to see what kind of temperature regulation I could manage. All I had available at the time was a half of a bag of charcoal briquettes so I dumped all of them in to get it good and hot. After the coals were ready, I put my new probe thermometer through a piece of bread and set it on the cooking rack. Without doing anything and the intake about half way open, it held a steady 228*-235* for a while. Today I am going to get some wood and lump charcoal to season it in properly. First I am going to install a baffle and a new thermometer on either end of the cooking chamber (stock one says low, ideal, and hot...how dumb), seal up the chimney, extend the chimney and make some sort of rack for my utensils. In the near future, I will reinforce the bottom rack for some wood storage and make some wooden handles for the lids. I am very excited about my new project. 

https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/7/7d/7dfc2702_photobucket-2145-1316607927919.jpeg

 

[sqwib]

Awesome, keep us posted

 

[bohnafied bbq]

Hey man have FUN with it,Happy Q to ya.

 

[sunman76]

Now you have to fire that gurl up and post us up sum Q

 

[oldschoolbbq]

ufboostergator,here's a hint- find some Firebrick and put some in the bottom of the belly for heat ballast;also in the FB (set your fire grate on them-they are about 4" wide which gives you a good draft of air to aid combustion.

Mine is already high enough, I just use the ballast,gets cold here in oihO

.

 You said ,wood

 Another hint:

cut your wood in small pieces(like in the pic-you can do it on a table saw-a cheap one at a garage sale). Catches better and you can use all wood on it if wanted.Let me know if you'd like to try and I'll coach you,

. I'll not steer you wrong,and maybe make "QUEING" a little more fun.

Now, get busy and sent Q-view.And.......

 

[raymo76]

Sweet, new equipment is always fun.

 

[chiefmanywrenches]

https://statich.smokingmeatforums.com/c/c6/c6387151_photobucket-4563-1316636312145.jpeg

Got some goodies after work today...time to get to business. I couldn't find any thermometers for the grill yet but picked up a digital wireless one from Bed Bath and Beyond. Passed the boil test and seems to work fine. I will also have to take the dryer hose back as the diameter is too large...will need to figure something else out for that.

 

[tyotrain]

congrats on the new smoker...

 

[roller]

Ant it fun Ant it fun !!!!!!!!   Congrats !!!!! your in for a great weekend...

 

[scarbelly]

Great looking new toy. Hope it works out great for you

 

[raymo76]

I'm excited for you, can't wait for the qviews

 

[pops6927]

Welcome to your new addiction!  most important tool i don't see, however.... hmmm... spiral notebook to keep record of all your smokes.  Do one electronically too, but computers crash, just keep the notebook away from the firebox, lol!  Record your smokes, recipies, tips, tricks, and suggestions for future smokes, gives you something to do during those all night smokes, lol! 

 

[SmokinAl]

 

[chiefmanywrenches]

I just ordered 2 of the River Country 3' thermometers with the 4"stem from amazon at 23 bucks a pop...they better be good. Now that the grill is cooled off, my task today is to finish the charcoal box, seal up holes around the chimney and lid to make it more air tight. I was thinking about using RTV for the chimney and some oven rope stuff for the main chamber.

 

[alelover]

I got my therms from River Country. They are fine. One was off so I called them and they sent a new one right out to me and let me keep the old one. They're good folks. Looks like you have a fun project at hand. Can't wait for some Q-View.

 

[sqwib]

 

[chiefmanywrenches]

Got the firebox done yesterday with my limited welding skills. Actually came out pretty decent if I say so myself. If this thing comes apart I will eat my shoes...extra smokey.

 

[alelover]

How high does it sit in the SFB? You don't want ashes blocking your airflow.

 

[chiefmanywrenches]

It is sitting on top of the rack that came with the smoker, which is maybe 2 inches off the bottom. It seems to work fine, if I need to I can raise it up another 2 inches or so without hitting the top of the firebox.

 

[realtorterry]

Your doing great!! Make sure to calibrate those therms before you install them just so you know how accurate they are! Keep the views coming

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