Seasoning Gateway Drum smoker

[nwolfe88]

Could I get the vortex charcoal basket and basically turn my gateway in to a hunsaker?

 

[gr8day]

Could I get the vortex charcoal basket and basically turn my gateway in to a hunsaker?

I don't see why you couldn't, you can email Mark Hunsaker on his website, if my WSM was a 22 instead of an 18 I'd just order a Vortex Fire Basket and be done with it. Hunsaker has one that will fit in an 18 but it's to tall for me to hang ribs in the WSM 18. I also like that Hunsaker drums are powder coated, the lid hinge exhaust temp gage setup and the dolly wheel caster setup. 

I like the Gateways too, I'm not a comp guy but there are a lot of people using them in comps and winning.  

 

[nwolfe88]

I see it looks like Hunsaker is using briquettes in the vortex. Any idea why? Keep temps lower?

 

[gr8day]

I see it looks like Hunsaker is using briquettes in the vortex. Any idea why? Keep temps lower?

In this video he's using lump, I personally like to use briquettes or a mixture of both because of consistency not because one burns hotter than the other. 

In this video he's using lump and it really doesn't matter IMO, use what you want to use.

 

[nwolfe88]

I wish I would have know about these Hunsakers before I got the Gateway. Not sure if it's a big deal or not but my lid is slightly warped so it leaks a bit on the side and the air stack on the lid isn't even welded all the way around the bottom to the lid so I'm getting residue seeping out of it when I cook.

 

[nwolfe88]

I am resurrecting this thread because I should be getting my Hunsaker soon! Can't wait.

 

[hardcookin]

It will be good seeing what you think of it.