Issues with indirect

[cansmoke]

Both of the last two nights, I have had issues geting any smoke.

I use an Oklahoma Joe Highlander.

I run Hot - Cold - Hot zones with a water pan in the cold Zone. THe meat will go above the cold zone.

I put down 1/2 chimney cold, split into two piles

I put 3/4 chimney hot on top with a smoker box full of dry wood chips.

I did not get much smoke.

Did I need more charcoal?

The lid temperature got to 350+ both times. The temp above the meat was 210ish.

Any suggestions?

THe meat was cooked, just insufficent smoke.

 

[forktender]

Did you add a 3'' sheet metal 90* fitting inside the fire box so the exhaust vent is about 2 to 4'' from the cooking surface?
If not go to Lowe's or Home Depot, in the sheet metal area look for 3 to 4'' adjustable 90* fittings. measure your vent pipe inside diameter before you go. I'm pretty sure mine took a 3'' 90* fitting.
I just cut a few slits in the end of the 90* fitting so it would fit into the exhaust vent in the smoke box, then spun it around until the 90 was facing down and about 2 to 4'' from the cooking surface, it helped a lot.

Best of luck.
Dan

 

[Workaholic]

I used an offset for several years. One thing I would recommend, is using chunks instead of chips. They tend to produce more smoke. One other thing. If you dont have tuning plates in it, you might want to look into them. They will help even out the heat, and the smoke throughout the chamber.

 

[forktender]

I made tuning plates out of an old stainless steel prep table top that I got off a job. I cut it using a 4'' side grinder with a cutoff wheel then drilled a ton of holes in it starting from 1/4'' closet to the fire up to 1 1/4'' towards the exhaust side of the smoke box.
It helped even the heat out a bunch.
I used splits of oak, apple, cherry and pecan wood mainly.
To start it off I'd add one chimney of charcoal from then on I used the splits. Man those smokers eat through the fuel load quickly.
That's the main reason I sold it because it was a fuel hog.
It pumped out some amazing Que. but it was pretty much a babysitting adventure every smoke. I also got tired of staying up to feed it on long smokes. (I'm getting old)

 

[jake0531]

Are you saying you didn’t see much smoke or what do you mean by didn’t get much smoke?