Gravity Fed Heavy Duty Build?

[CheddarCheeseQ]

Hey all, I recently purchased a Materbuilt 1050 and was wondering is there anyone else that offers a more robust version of the grill?
I like the grill but obviously being a big box store the materials are very thin?

I am contemplating reverse engineering the grill with a side smoke stack, cook chamber from 3/16” steel, charcoal gravity chamber 1/4” thick and use the fireboard 2.0, i would make the cook chamber a true 36” long an the height 18/24”.

I am aware that there are Mods for the grill, but for raw materials cost i can build the HD version for around $500/600 an the Mods are around that cost.

Any thoughts or has someone done this already to where i can take some inspiration from or ideas.

Thanks everyone

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I'm no help on an alternative, but in for the ride if you build your own...

 

[Brokenhandle]

I'm no help either... but another vote for building your own!

Ryan

 

[Smokin Okie]

Masterbuilt builds an XT version. Sells for $1500.

https://www.masterbuilt.com/products/gravity-series-xt-digital-charcoal-grill-smoker

 

[Smokin Okie]

And there's also the Old Country Gravity Feed, Assassin GF, Southern Q, Stumps, Humphreys and others.

Depends upon whether you want just a smoker, or the MB combo of smoker / grill.

 

[Chasdev]

Any info on the quality and functionality of the Old Country gravity unit?
I have until Xmas to figure out what my wife is getting me this year and I'm tempted by the new Masterbuilt..

 

[Smokin Okie]

Any info on the quality and functionality of the Old Country gravity unit?
I have until Xmas to figure out what my wife is getting me this year and I'm tempted by the new Masterbuilt..

When I was shopping for a GF last summer, the OCGF had the same quality build issues of all their pits. Bad welds, gaps, etc. But nothing that can't be overcome.

My primary reason for not buying OCGF, was the baffle they put on the exchange between the firebox and cook chamber. It redirected air at 90* angles twice. I figured it caused air flow issues.

And I'd read some complaints by users about how long it took to get up to temp, how fast it recovered after opening the door, etc. Some said putting a fan on it helped a lot.

There were also issues with the firebox side of the cook chamber heating from radiant heat on that side.

So I went with the Assassin.

And yeah, Assassin shoots heat/smoke straight into the cook chamber, no baffle. Then they put a heat defector/grease collector in the bottom. Heat enters , goes up and hits the deflector, then travels around and up the outside of the deflector.

But that's not all, they then put these 4" wide pieces all around the inside of the cook chamber to keep grease from going to the bottom of the cook chamber on the outside of the deflector. And hitting the open flame from the firebox.

The 4" wide deflectors redirect grease to the grease collector, which has a 1.5" hole in the middle, with a pipe going out the bottom of the cooker. So grease flows into an aluminum half pan.

So the grease management process hinders air flow also. It takes 30 minutes for the cooker to get up to temp. Recovery time is slow until the metal in the cooker heats up, then it recovers pretty fast.

And I've learned, that ya really don't want a lot of air flow in these GF cookers. Too much air flow and ash will be carried up into the cook chamber.

I had that problem on the MB560 also.

IDK how the OCGF manages grease. Its an issue I did not anticipate. On the Facebook Assassin smoker forum, in the larger cookers, the 24" and up, they all use hotel pans to catch grease.

On the Old Country Facebook group, I've seen some users modify the baffle on the GF. I'd be really cautious about it due to possibility of grease fire.

And all that said, my Assassin cooks great. Hold temps rock steady. Produces clean TBS.

 

[CheddarCheeseQ]

Yeah i have a Large cabinet smoker i built an does very well, but is overkill for smaller cooks, i have other grills but this was for the Wife to use to just slap on a piece of meat an be ready for dinner when i get home.

Problem is i really like the grill is i just would like a little more beefy version , XT will run me $1600 or so an i can probably build a Mini Tank Version with Fireboard for around $800.

That being said i think i will first build a HD version of the Chute and Fan assembly and if that works well i will contine to build out the grill with some changes so i can have a small sliding shelf under the coals to sear meat really quick . Will also have to implement a bracket to attach the assembly to the bottom portion since it will be heavy compared to the sheet metal chute it has now, maybe even a tire to help underneath it to support some of its weight an prevent tipping.
Will keep you posted folks

 

[Smokin Okie]

Yeah i have a Large cabinet smoker i built an does very well, but is overkill for smaller cooks, i have other grills but this was for the Wife to use to just slap on a piece of meat an be ready for dinner when i get home.

Problem is i really like the grill is i just would like a little more beefy version , XT will run me $1600 or so an i can probably build a Mini Tank Version with Fireboard for around $800.

That being said i think i will first build a HD version of the Chute and Fan assembly and if that works well i will contine to build out the grill with some changes so i can have a small sliding shelf under the coals to sear meat really quick . Will also have to implement a bracket to attach the assembly to the bottom portion since it will be heavy compared to the sheet metal chute it has now, maybe even a tire to help underneath it to support some of its weight an prevent tipping.
Will keep you posted folks

Really depends upon if you want a smoker or a grill or both.

I did not like grilling on my MB560. Rather use my Kettles. So all I needed was a smoker.

I think Pitbuilder.com, or something to that effect, has plans for a GF smoker.

 

[CheddarCheeseQ]

Really depends upon if you want a smoker or a grill or both.

I did not like grilling on my MB560. Rather use my Kettles. So all I needed was a smoker.

I think Pitbuilder.com, or something to that effect, has plans for a GF smoker.

I will mainly be using it for a Smoker, but i like the convenience of having a fireboard on it so i can momitor the cook an adjust temps on the fly.

I also dont want it cabinet style, i would mimic smoker builders offset that he builds the rectangular looking one, i think that with a HD chimney chute would be cool.
I would also play with a 90 degree plate as the smoke enters the cook caber that i could have different plates with holes to get a balanced temperature as see which works best.

Or even the assassin style cook chamber , always loved the way those look.