Seasoning Oklahoma Joe's Highland Reverse Flow Smoker

[RiversideSm0ker]

RiversideSm0ker - So youve read its bad to seal all the gaps? Hmmmm... I might have to do some digging to find out more info. From a lot of reading I have done, seems the biggest issues with the COS is the fact it does leak so much.

But with the ATC, Im hoping this is not the case. The fan is supposed to only blow (stoke the fire) just enough to keep the temperature at the point I set it at. Good thing I have that second FB Charlbroil sent. LOL

Griz0146 - Thank you! Ill get some better pics this weekend.

I believe the logic was that the air vent for the current OKJ Highland firebox is relatively small. So if you completely cut off all of the gaps that exist the intake is too small to get proper airflow in some cases. One suggestion ended up being to add another vent to the end of the top piece of the firebox. This would give you the chance to add more air if need be. I'm not sure that's really necessary but I guess it would be there if you really needed it. Apparently the original firebox for the OKJ even from Char Broil was in a single piece and the vent on the side of the firebox was much larger like you would see on the current Horizon design. To make everything fit in a smaller single box the firebox was split into two halves that were are now forced to assemble together. It's been a while since I saw that info but that's pretty much how I remember it being explained. I guess it makes sense.

George

 

[Xendau]

I believe the logic was that the air vent for the current OKJ Highland firebox is relatively small. So if you completely cut off all of the gaps that exist the intake is too small to get proper airflow in some cases. One suggestion ended up being to add another vent to the end of the top piece of the firebox. This would give you the chance to add more air if need be. I'm not sure that's really necessary but I guess it would be there if you really needed it. Apparently the original firebox for the OKJ even from Char Broil was in a single piece and the vent on the side of the firebox was much larger like you would see on the current Horizon design. To make everything fit in a smaller single box the firebox was split into two halves that were are now forced to assemble together. It's been a while since I saw that info but that's pretty much how I remember it being explained. I guess it makes sense.

George

Okay, thanks for the info! My girl is all sealed up; between CC and FB, the gasket around CC lid and FB lid, HT RTV between the two part firebox, etc... I will have to see how it works with the additional mods Ive done this weekend. I really only want the ATC fan to be my air regulator. So it may work to my advantage, but I still have the back up FB if it doesnt.

 

[Wasi]

My temps are not that bad. One thing I did which seemed to help with temp control was to add a 2 LB bread loaf pan and fill it with hot water and it seemed to help a lot. Thinking about adding another pan on the other side as well.

Here is a photo of the setup with the water pan and 5 slabs of ribs I cooked Sunday morning. There was not much room for anything else because of the size of the water pan but they turned out pretty good. Was my first attempt at doing more then 2 slabs at once.

 

[Xendau]

Here is a photo of the setup with the water pan and 5 slabs of ribs I cooked Sunday morning. There was not much room for anything else because of the size of the water pan but they turned out pretty good. Was my first attempt at doing more then 2 slabs at once.

Wasi - Nice! The first image is my run on Sunday, the second image is from my run last night... I placed my water pan under the baffles, on the right by the FB.

 

[Wasi]

Wasi - Nice! The first image is my run on Sunday, the second image is from my run last night... I placed my water pan under the baffles, on the right by the FB.

Never thought of putting it down there. Did you notice a difference? Might have to try that for my next smoke.

 

[Xendau]

It definitely evened my temps out more. Where I had a 20 degree swing I am now within 10 from left to right. I would like to place 2 pans down there to see if it helps. I only did one pan this last cook.

 

[Wasi]

It definitely evened my temps out more. Where I had a 20 degree swing I am now within 10 from left to right. I would like to place 2 pans down there to see if it helps. I only did one pan this last cook.

Ok that is good to know. I will try and see what happens. When I checked the temps I near spot on at the grate level and just a little warmer near the firebox on top temp.

 

[Griz0146]

For what it’s worth I saw BJs has the highland reverse flow on sale for $200

 

[Xendau]

For what it’s worth I saw BJs has the highland reverse flow on sale for $200

WHAT!?!? Well, we dont have BJs out here, so it is of no consequence for me. Just have to live with the $500 I kicked out for the RF. Im happy with my purchase overall.

 

[Griz0146]

Ok so I got the Temps fairly steady 10 degrees throughout the chamber.

I saw someone do this on YouTube on their regular highland (not reverse flow)

I added two stainless clips in the cook chamber just above the opening by the fire box. (Youtube guy didn’t do this, didn’t need to on the regular highland)

Then I dusted off the cooking grate for the fire box that has never been used. Wrapped it in aluminum foil and leaned it on the clips. See the photos.

Best part is this mod was practically free.

 

[Griz0146]

Trying to upload the photos I’ll get back to you

 

[Xendau]

Ok so I got the Temps fairly steady 10 degrees throughout the chamber.

I saw someone do this on YouTube on their regular highland (not reverse flow)

I added two stainless clips in the cook chamber just above the opening by the fire box. (Youtube guy didn’t do this, didn’t need to on the regular highland)

Then I dusted off the cooking grate for the fire box that has never been used. Wrapped it in aluminum foil and leaned it on the clips. See the photos.

Best part is this mod was practically free.

Griz0146 - Ya... I had seen that too. But me being all pretentious and whatnot thought about just buying the baffles from BBQmods.com for the Longhorn. lol

I want to try and buy two nice sized pro kitchen half pans (stainless 4" walls) from amazon, place them on the main chamber charcoal grates that came with the RF and take a cookie sheet and tilt in as you mention. Hopefully this will help push most of the heat down and under (or around) the water pans hopefully making the temps more even from left to right.

 

[Griz0146]

Trying to upload the photos I’ll get back to you

 

[Xendau]

View attachment 373260

Nice quick fix! Ill try this or something similar this weekend!

 

[Griz0146]

Trying to upload the photos I’ll get back to you

 

[Xendau]

Griz0146 - what kind of clips did you use?

 

[Griz0146]

Griz0146 - what kind of clips did you use?

They were the hooks on my thermometers meant to hang it on an oven rack. Since I always stand them on top the rack I don’t think I’ll miss them