Here are my thoughts on the BBQ Guru DigiQ DX2 used with the Brinkmann Trailblazer Vertical. Get one. It works. Well.
The install went as planned. My first debate was which size fan to get. There isn't a specific mod on the BBG Guru site for this smoker so I asked around on their site for some help. Most people came back with the same answer. Get the 25 CFM fan and you can always damper it down. Well, I'm finished with my first "test" cook and it worked well but I'm not totally sure the 25 CFM is needed. I also don't think it hurts. It did turn on and off a lot though. I'll move on to the install and deal with the fan as I get some more info. Yard and Pool dot com sell it and if you're a first time customer you can get 5% off. All Things BBQ also has it. Both are cheaper than buying from BBG Guru. Be sure to buy the kit with the Bulkhead Inducer Mounting Tube. That's what I used and the most likely of what was offered to with with this smoker. The DigiQ does need electricity. It's not battery operated.
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The fan inducer mounting tube needs to be installed just below the fire box grate but well above the bottom to be clear of accumulating ash. That's a challenge on this smoker as there isn't much room because of the damper so I decided to drill right thru the damper. Once installed the damper should always be closed anyway. If somehow I screwed up I could always buy a new fire box door and start again. Using the damper also allowed the fan to be placed in the center.
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One of the things I did not have was a proper 1 3/8 metal hole saw. DO NOT SCREW AROUND ON THIS PART. Borrow or buy a 1 3/8 metal hole saw. Do not try and do it with a straight saw or a slightly smaller or larger hole saw. Only use a metal hole saw. Any other type will be eaten up for sure.
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Take the door off the smoker and work on a bench of possible. I secured the door to the bench by putting a screw in the latch hole and putting screws above and below the latches. This way the door wouldn't move when being drilled. This is important because you'll only have one shot at getting this right because there's only an 1/8 inch of clearance left before you won't have any room around the hole to screw the enduser in.
Once you've got the center of the damper driller out you should have a thin section of it left around the whole to put the inducer tube thru as seen below. Next you need to attach the damper in the closed position and drill out the center of it. This needs to be done because there can be no holes on the door except for the inducer tube. Before drilling out the center you need to screws the damper handle to the door. I did this with by hammering down the damper handle/tab and screwing it to the door with a self tapping metal screw (seen below). BE SURE TO DO IT WITH THE DAMPER CLOSED. See below.
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Then drill out the center just like you drilled out the door.
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Next attach the inducer tube to the outside of the door as seen below. The hardest part is moving the retaining ring if you don't have a pair of retaining ring pliers. I had to buy a pair. It must be moved right up against the door.
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Here's a look at the inside.
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I don't suggest having too much of the tube sticking inside the firebox. Here are some finished product pictures.
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I'd be happy to answer any questions. I'll post some more info later about the operation of the unit.