New Dyna-Glo vertical offset smoker

[OldFartFarmer]

anyone done a beer can chicken in theres yet
what rack are you using and what temp ?
im looking to try it on mine

 

[mpaisley88]

Alright yall, I just got this smoker set up and I started seasoning it last night. I used 1 chimney and some hickory and apple chips. It was late so I figured I'll get up and do it tomorrow again just for extra peace of mind considering I used a good deal of rtv. I monitored the temp and it got up to like 160f. I started it again with 1 3/4 chimneys today and I threw in 3 chunks of hickory and for the life of me I cant get this thing above 172f... I'd say I'm a novice at this. Some experience but not a ton. My dampers are fully open and this thing has been going for at least an hour with no signs of rising. Anyone else had this problem with this smoker?

 

[PrezidentRedz]

Haven't had any issues getting it hot. Your saying that if you dump a full lit chimney in and close the fire box door, and have the dampers full open it will not get above 170deg F? Are you also using a air temp probe or anything or just relying on the thermometer in the door?

 

[mpaisley88]

Thanks for the reply @PrezidentRedz yes I've got this thermometer hooked up inside the grill. Ignore the timer, I was keeping it on my phone and just decided to start it on there.

 

[mpaisley88]

I decided to crack the firebox door and it shot up to 178f so I'm starting to think it's an airflow issue with the door shut.

 

[PrezidentRedz]

Just curious what does the door show? and where do you have the probe?

 

[mpaisley88]

Door shows 145f and the probe is on the rack just about level with the probe. Door thermometer is garbage apparently.

 

[PrezidentRedz]

I did this mod last night, I still need to RTV it and get hardware to bolt it down. so we shall see if it makes a difference or if I screwed my self.

 

[PrezidentRedz]

As you can see here, this is before my mod, I can get it to run around 250 for the most part.

 

[mpaisley88]

Nice setup, would love to hear the result! I'm hoping this is just because it's a rainy day, although its covered.

 

[mpaisley88]

I installed a baffle plate out of some sheet metal. Do yall think its smart to have a water pan as well?

 

[mpaisley88]

@PrezidentRedz or anyone else quick question. Do you have a baffle installed on yours, I just came across a reddit thread and a guy had the same problem as me. It came down to his baffle. I installed on yesterday before seasoning so I'm wondering if that may be my problem. I just uses the existing screws to install a piece of air duct metal (without holes. May need them). That reaches across the cc. Thoughts?

 

[ahakohda]

From my experience with wide body.
Doing minion method and playing with firebox intake and top exhaust I can not get it higher than 170-180. No modifications inside or out.
Best way so far was dumping 3/4 lit up briquettes and place few large charcoal on top. Let it go a little and start adjusting intake/exhaust at around 180f. As well as placing foil pan right above firebox opening. If needed with water.

Manual advises to use 5lb of lit briquettes about 90 pieces.

 

[marc74]

I can't get mine over 190 if I have a water pan in it. Don't know why. I add boiling water to the pan. Without the water pan, I can sit at 250 all day.

 

[CarRamrod]

From my experience with wide body.
Doing minion method and playing with firebox intake and top exhaust I can not get it higher than 170-180. No modifications inside or out.
Best way so far was dumping 3/4 lit up briquettes and place few large charcoal on top. Let it go a little and start adjusting intake/exhaust at around 180f. As well as placing foil pan right above firebox opening. If needed with water.

Manual advises to use 5lb of lit briquettes about 90 pieces.

And from my experience I cant get mine to stay below 300 without a blower controller. And that is WITH the vent shut. But i also insulated my fire box.

 

[mpaisley88]

@ahakohda thanks for the advice. I'm gonna try removing the baffle and using a water pan instead. Will update hopefully later this week.

 

[PrezidentRedz]

@ahakohda thanks for the advice. I'm gonna try removing the baffle and using a water pan instead. Will update hopefully later this week.

Post a picture of your baffle. I have one and I run a water pan with no issues. Im modifying the exhaust to hopefully let it draft better.

I installed a baffle plate out of some sheet metal. Do yall think its smart to have a water pan as well?

Depending on what your cooking yes. Ill post some pictures of my setup, but I used a half size hotel pan below the bottom grate and put it right by the fire box.

 

[PrezidentRedz]

Here is my Baffle and water box setup.

 

[mpaisley88]

@PrezidentRedz here's how I have it now. After looking at yours, you think its hanging too low?

 

[PrezidentRedz]

You could try bending it up some and just see, its all trial and error with a cheaper smoker. But yeah it looks like your blocking to much of the upper hole.

Also mine isnt as wide as the smoker... that way the air can still move around.