I just backslid into cheap stickburner world!

[Chasdev]

I've been driving a gravity feed Masterbuilt for a few years but had to put it out to pasture this summer as it just wore down to nothing.
That and as much as I liked the flavor profile from buring oak in with the charcoal, it just never did deliver stick burner flavors.
After watching way too many Youtube videos on BBQing I ran across one on the Char-Griller Grand Champ smoker.
The guy doing the video was like I, a former Old Country Pecos driver, and he ticked off all the points where the Char-Griller beat the Old Country.
As I happen to still own a decent pile of seasoned oak sticks, I figured out that a low cost stick eater would be right up my alley, so I ordered one!
Now I can complain about how much time and attention my hobby costs me, again and again...

 

[chopsaw]

Enjoy . Been thinking about it myself lately . I almost loaded up an old Char Griller pro last weekend .
Get it fired up and let us know how it cooks .

 

[fxsales1959]

I've been driving a gravity feed Masterbuilt for a few years but had to put it out to pasture this summer as it just wore down to nothing.
That and as much as I liked the flavor profile from buring oak in with the charcoal, it just never did deliver stick burner flavors.
After watching way too many Youtube videos on BBQing I ran across one on the Char-Griller Grand Champ smoker.
The guy doing the video was like I, a former Old Country Pecos driver, and he ticked off all the points where the Char-Griller beat the Old Country.
As I happen to still own a decent pile of seasoned oak sticks, I figured out that a low cost stick eater would be right up my alley, so I ordered one!
Now I can complain about how much time and attention my hobby costs me, again and again...

I've had my fully modified OK Joe highland reverse flow on Marketplace for $250 for a few weeks.
I'm really tired of DF questions and idiot offers.

 

[JLeonard]

As the big box stores are starting to mark stuff down for end of season I start to think about a COS. Doing my best to resist, but......

Jim

 

[JLeonard]

I've had my fully modified OK Joe highland reverse flow on Marketplace for $250 for a few weeks.
I'm really tired of DF questions and idiot offers.

View attachment 678309

Wanna deliver to Southaven?

Jim

 

[Redicans]

I have had the Grand Champ for a few months now. I really enjoy it and it cooks up some Delicious meals. I did make a few mods to it. I put in two lava lock thermometers and lava lock gasket on both chambers. The gasket it comes with is pretty cheap. Also I extended the stack to a total length of 38 inches. I used a cheap 5" air ducting I got from Lowes. There are vids on YT for some great mods to the Grand Champ. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I am enjoying mine!!

Here is a pic of mine with the extended stack. Feel like it works very good.

 

[Chasdev]

Freaking thing was heavy!
I had high hopes but the wall thickness is pretty thin.
Firebox is heavier than the cook chamber.
I'm going in with eyes open, I don't expect it to cook like a $5000 rig.
I think it is way better than the toy ones I see all over internet though.

 

[Redicans]

Freaking thing was heavy!
I had high hopes but the wall thickness is pretty thin.
Firebox is heavier than the cook chamber.
I'm going in with eyes open, I don't expect it to cook like a $5000 rig.
I think it is way better than the toy ones I see all over internet though.

Yeah fire management is key on the Champ. You can see the size of my splits in the pic. In the beginning I was struggling with it but I have found my groove and very happy with the way it works. I’m in a warm climate and think that helps with my fire management. I would love a $5000 pit but that is not in my Budget and this works good for me.

 

[Chasdev]

Yeah fire management is key on the Champ. You can see the size of my splits in the pic. In the beginning I was struggling with it but I have found my groove and very happy with the way it works. I’m in a warm climate and think that helps with my fire management. I would love a $5000 pit but that is not in my Budget and this works good for me.

I thought there was a gasket between the burn box and cook chamber, but mine did not come withn one.
Does yours have one or did you use lavalock?

 

[Smokin Okie]

I'm curious what the YT fella found with this cooker that was better than the Pecos ? Pecos would be my top choice in a COS.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

I have had the Grand Champ for a few months now. I really enjoy it and it cooks up some Delicious meals. I did make a few mods to it. I put in two lava lock thermometers and lava lock gasket on both chambers. The gasket it comes with is pretty cheap. Also I extended the stack to a total length of 38 inches. I used a cheap 5" air ducting I got from Lowes. There are vids on YT for some great mods to the Grand Champ. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I am enjoying mine!!

Here is a pic of mine with the extended stack. Feel like it works very good.


View attachment 678323

I would jump on that

 

[Redicans]

I thought there was a gasket between the burn box and cook chamber, but mine did not come withn one.
Does yours have one or did you use lavalock?

No I used a food safe silicone sealant between the two chambers. I am not sure it made a huge difference but I had no leaks. I think with out it it would have sealed up anyways. Not sure though.

 

[Chasdev]

Agree, mine does not leak, or if it does it's a tiny leak..
Just launched the first cook an hour ago, I thought I had a handle on the hot/cold zones so I decided to go nuts and do two point end brisket and two plate ribs.
Now I'm timing the need for mini-splits and clean smoke.

 

[Redicans]

Looking good!! Going to be some happy bellies today!!

 

[Chasdev]

Looking good!! Going to be some happy bellies today!!

Lile they say, without pictures, it didn't happen!

 

[Redicans]

Making my mouth water!! Looks Delicious!

 

[JLeonard]

Lile they say, without pictures, it didn't happen!

Dang it! Y'all gonna have me shopping for a COS! Looks good.

Jim

 

[Black Titan]

How you getting on with your champ? I've had mine for awhile and love it. Already threw some mods on it. Just yesterday received the lavalock baffle plate for it so I can bring side to side temps closer.

BT

 

[Chasdev]

I wish it was a $5000 smoker but it is what it is..
Firebox has begun to sag and now has a gap at the top where it meets the cook chamber, I can see flames through the gap.
I extended the exhaust stack and installed a damper, plus added firebricks to the firebox (probably why the gap was created due to extra weight) but I smoked a point this past Sunday hot and fast and it did well.
My Lavalock baffle rig is sitting next to the smoker, I took it out and went back to the original charcoal grill device.
I'm a believer in not having heated metal close to the underside of the meat on long cooks.
But who knows, I may try it again with extra water pans...again..

 

[Black Titan]

I wish it was a $5000 smoker but it is what it is..
Firebox has begun to sag and now has a gap at the top where it meets the cook chamber, I can see flames through the gap.
I extended the exhaust stack and installed a damper, plus added firebricks to the firebox (probably why the gap was created due to extra weight) but I smoked a point this past Sunday hot and fast and it did well.
My Lavalock baffle rig is sitting next to the smoker, I took it out and went back to the original charcoal grill device.
I'm a believer in not having heated metal close to the underside of the meat on long cooks.
But who knows, I may try it again with extra water pans...again..

Good to know about the sagging. I use bricks also.

I've been tempted to break out the welder and weld up the firebox to the cook chamber like an old country is done.

BT