New Highland Reverse Flow - any tips?

[BigTT]

Hi all - new to the forum! I picked up a Oklahoma joes highland reverse flow earlier this week and seasoned last night. I’ve got a bunch of family coming into town this weekend and plan on breaking it in with some pork butts. I’ve only ever smoked on my WSM so the offset is new to me. Any tips on temperature control? I did add the gaskets around the door and sealed some of the gaps with RTV silicone... hoping to keep the temp steady at 225 overnight, but not sure how consistent it’ll be compared to the WSM....

Thanks for any feedback - cheers!!

 

[Dantij]

Congrats. I too graduated from a WSM cooker that I absolutely loved cooking on. Bought a Lang 48 patio 6 months ago and it's a blast to cook on, producing some of my best BBQ. I dont think you'll be able to do an overnight cook with it unless you plan on staying up with it the whole time. It definitely needs more tending to vs. the Weber. Plan on burning 1-2 splits every hour or so. 1 split of wood added to a coal bed will last 35-45 minutes for me at 250°. Couple of quick suggestions:
*Keep the firebox oiled!!! I oil mine after every use.
*Starting your fire with lump or charcoal will save you on using up your splits.
*Bring your temperature up to 300° and let it drop down to your desired cooking temperature. If I'm cooking at 250°, I'll let the temp drop down to 275° and then put the food on. The longer your grill sits at 300°, the quicker your grill temps will stabilize across the entire grill surface. Early on in my cooks, there usually is a 25° difference from one end of the grill to the other. After a few hours they are within 5° of one another. I also have a bread pan filled with water on the firebox side of the grill. That helps to stabilize the temps.
Good luck!! Keep us posted.

 

[BigTT]

Huge thanks! Will give it all a go and post some pictures

 

[BigTT]

Checked in every hour or so to throw some logs on - definitely a lot more work then the Weber keeping up with the fire! So far so good...

 

[motolife313]

Looks good so far. What kinda of wood you cooking with? Get it yourself?

 

[Dantij]

Lookin good!!