So I did a test run today in prep of my 1st smoke (long)...

[SherryT]

Outside temp, mid 50s
Wind, 10mph (but I did put somewhat of a windbreak on the side from which it was blowing)
Smoker, modified MB Bullet (still need to seal the door)
Fuel, Kingsford briquettes, minion method (used 14 coals in the center)
A few chunks of hickory mixed in with unlit briquettes

After seasoning it, I decided today to fire it up as if I were going to smoke...

Within 15 minutes, the temp on the therm that came with it was at 250, so I stuck my Maverick's probe through a small potato and laid it on the top grate, dead center...THAT therm leveled out at 319 within a few minutes. I then grabbed ANOTHER therm and stuck it in the vent and THAT one leveled out at just shy of 325 or so.

I tested all three of these therms in boiling water and all read 212 (within a couple of deg either way)...what gives here? Which therm am I supposed to trust?

Moving on...

The heat shot up pretty quickly based on what a lot of folks say theirs does, so I'm thinking maybe 14 lit coals was too many? I also think it might have been getting air around the door as the fit is pretty loose, so that could have been fueling it more than I intended.

I closed the only adjustable vent on it (the top) down to about 1/4" open and walked away for about 1/2 hour.

The temp according to the Maverick did come down, but only to 288, the therm that came with it said 250, and the third was within less than 5 deg from the Maverick.

The last time I checked it about 20 or so minutes ago, ther1/225, Maverick/278, therm3/260.

I. Am. Confused.

Help!

 

[SmokyMose]

First thing. Forget about the therm that came with it. It's only good for decoration. It's a mystery.
I'm not familiar with an MB Bullet or counting coals, but the temps your Mavericks show are good enough to cook with.

 

[motocrash]

It's easy to quickly heat up but not so easy or quick to cool down huh ?
There you go learning again:cool:

 

[Rings Я Us]

You have a sealed base with bottom vents? I would like to see the set up. You have pics of the smoker and mods?

 

[SherryT]

Thanks for the replies...

RingsRUs, the bottom of this particular unit is NOT sealed...the only "obstruction to air" in the bottom is the coal pan and the edges of the concrete blocks on which the smoker body sits (followed the lead of another forum member (cannot recall who exactly) that sits his on concrete blocks).

Tomorrow, I'm going to Tractor Supply and pick up a Behren's 1-bushel steel tub and rig the whole thing up on THAT (along with a seal where the body meets tub) so I can seal up the bottom & install a couple of vents. I'll then seal the door.

That and using less lit coals in the center of the unlit coals is all I can think of to do at this point...my cured loin is ready to be smoked and I need to get it done.

 

[SherryT]

It's easy to quickly heat up but not so easy or quick to cool down huh ?
There you go learning again:cool:

I'll get there...:D

 

[motocrash]

I have no doubt.

 

[Rings Я Us]

Your going to use my mod? I'm so happy.. Lol

applause-smiley-emoticon.gif

• Rings Я Us
• Aug 30, 2017

I used Weber dampers for regulating air . Easy to install on the bushel basket..

IMG_20170807_193318.jpg

• Rings Я Us
• Aug 18, 2017

IMG_20170803_191925.jpg

• Rings Я Us
• Aug 3, 2017

IMG_20170701_132008.jpg

• Rings Я Us
• Aug 3, 2017

 

[Rings Я Us]

Just keep your heat up and away from the galvanized steel finish and it should be safe to use as such. Leave gaps around the tub and no big hot fires near the surfaces of the tub.. it only can withstand 400 degrees before that finish gets to a toxic state and vapors may or may not get in or near food..

 

[Rings Я Us]

Another option is to buy a second smoker for parts and use its lid as a base. It's been done often with Brinkmanns and the Masterbuilts. Put legs on the lids and set it up as base with charcoal pan in it that has holes to breath.

 

[pops6927]

Is this the smoker you are referring to?

 

[SherryT]

Your going to use my mod? I'm so happy.. Lol

applause-smiley-emoticon.gif

• Rings Я Us
• Aug 30, 2017

Yep...I couldn't recall whose mod it was, but there you were all along! :D

I used Weber dampers for regulating air . Easy to install on the bushel basket..

IMG_20170807_193318.jpg

• Rings Я Us
• Aug 18, 2017

IMG_20170803_191925.jpg

• Rings Я Us
• Aug 3, 2017

IMG_20170701_132008.jpg

• Rings Я Us
• Aug 3, 2017

I'm going to have to make my own dampers for now (need to get it done quickly)...gonna grab a couple of el cheapo cake pans at Dollar General and cut them out from the bottoms. I "would" get the Weber dampers later on, but I can't find a template anywhere for the hole size/spacing.

Another option is to buy a second smoker for parts and use its lid as a base. It's been done often with Brinkmanns and the Masterbuilts. Put legs on the lids and set it up as base with charcoal pan in it that has holes to breath.

Is this the smoker you are referring to?

View attachment 351463

Yes it is...but I paid only $19 for it.

 

[SherryT]

First thing. Forget about the therm that came with it. It's only good for decoration. It's a mystery.
I'm not familiar with an MB Bullet or counting coals, but the temps your Mavericks show are good enough to cook with.

You know, these thermometers AREN'T that expensive when you buy a reliable replacement...one would "think" the manufacturer would put a good one on the darned thing from the jump...but nooooooooooo...

 

[Rings Я Us]

If you just put a 3/4 inch hole in 3 places on the tub you can use those by putting a wad of foil in the holes when you want to plug them. The dampers really don't fit on the tub do to its ridges and taper. That way you can adjust air by plugging or unplugged holes. Or partial plugs using a loose fitting foil wad. I use plugs on my bushel basket.

Oh..I used a( step bit ) drill bit to make holes. It is like 6 sizes in one bit . 1/4"-3/4". Works good for the charcoal pan holes too.

 

[Rings Я Us]

Is this the smoker you are referring to?

View attachment 351463

Yes. That one

 

[Rings Я Us]

I tried my masterbuilt electric in the new tub I have , before I put legs on the smoker when I got it. The Masterbuilt smoker fists further into the tub than the Brinkmann does. I hope you can manage to get the smoker to rest evenly in the tub without warping things to much.

 

[motocrash]

I'm going to have to make my own dampers for now (need to get it done quickly)...gonna grab a couple of el cheapo cake pans at Dollar General and cut them out from the bottoms. I "would" get the Weber dampers later on, but I can't find a template anywhere for the hole size/spacing.

Sherry,your loin should be fine in the cure until you get this sorted.
How about 2 pizza pans like this ][ (turned sideways)in the bottom of the barrel ? The bottom pan would rotate to open/ close the intake holes.Put some marks on the lips and you'd know how open/closed the holes are.Cheap and easy.

 

[SherryT]

If you just put a 3/4 inch hole in 3 places on the tub you can use those by putting a wad of foil in the holes when you want to plug them. The dampers really don't fit on the tub do to its ridges and taper. That way you can adjust air by plugging or unplugged holes. Or partial plugs using a loose fitting foil wad. I use plugs on my bushel basket.

Oh..I used a( step bit ) drill bit to make holes. It is like 6 sizes in one bit . 1/4"-3/4". Works good for the charcoal pan holes too.

Bought one today at Harbor Freight...

I tried my masterbuilt electric in the new tub I have , before I put legs on the smoker when I got it. The Masterbuilt smoker fists further into the tub than the Brinkmann does. I hope you can manage to get the smoker to rest evenly in the tub without warping things to much.

Going to set it in place, make sure it's level, reach inside and mark the bottom edge with a Sharpie, and stick 3 1/4" bolts through at the marks for it to rest on (I'd already considered that it could shift).

Sherry,your loin should be fine in the cure until you get this sorted.
How about 2 pizza pans like this ][ (turned sideways)in the bottom of the barrel ? The bottom pan would rotate to open/ close the intake holes.Put some marks on the lips and you'd know how open/closed the holes are.Cheap and easy.

Problem is that I jumped the gun and took it out of the cure & placed it in the fridge two days ago. As it will now be tomorrow at the earliest I can smoke, I stuck it in a ziplock and placed it back in the fridge so the surface won't dry any further.

Thanks for all your help and comments, guys!

 

[Rings Я Us]

Cool.. good idea. Bolts just at where the smoker will be stopping snug.. that should keep it from ever being crooked .
I was thinking the same thing.

 

[SherryT]

Cool.. good idea. Bolts just at where the smoker will be stopping snug.. that should keep it from ever being crooked .
I was thinking the same thing.

HA! Great minds think alike! :p

After cleaning the inside lip of the lid, I applied the gasket using RTV. I also went ahead and sealed up the door as I'll never use it (dry fit the gasket to see if it would latch and it wouldn't (too tight...the lock wouldn't catch), so I went AROUND the door where its edges met the body with RRV and applied the gasket into THAT, effectively (I hope) sealing that bugger forever.

Put the body inside the bucket, leveled it, and marked all around w/a Sharpie...now I know where to place the bolts to steady the body (just ABOVE the marks to account for line width and the odd angle of the Sharpie).

Gonna make my damper template here shortly and cut those out of a $7 piece of 24g sheet aluminum I picked up at TSC and get them installed (gonna make 2).

So...I'm thinking I should wait to apply the gasket to the inside of the tub where it meets the body AFTER I get the bolts in place so I can be sure of its placement, but as I have to wait for Hubs to get home and find me 3 bolts/nuts/lock washers in the shop (I gave up a LONG time ago trying to find anything in that place), I'm stuck until tomorrow.

Question...

I used 3 pieces of 3/8 threaded rod and attached to the coal pan for legs. When I set it in the basket, the top of the coal pan is flush with the bucket...is that too high? I can easily adjust the height...do I need to?

THANK YOU and everyone else for helping me with this...I "will" smoke that CB tomorrow evening! :D