Temperature too low

[reddmeat]

Hello all. I am new to SMF and also to smoking meat as well. I have used my new smoker only twice but cant seem to get my smoker up to temp. I have a cheap Brinkman from home depot and smoke leaks out from every angle. I use kingsford coals and pile on the mesquite chunks but cant get above 150 degrees. Also is it too late to cure my smoker? I never cured it before using it the first time.

 

[flash]

Is this an R2D2 style Brinkman?  After some mods, I could get mine to 450º.  How much charcoal in the pan? Do you have only one hole in the fire pan? Is there a vent in the dome?  And were are you located?

 

[reddmeat]

Not sure what R2D2 is but it is the horizontal with smoke box on the side. I use just a little charcoal with more wood. Yes only one hole and the only vents are the one on the box and on the exhaust chimney or what ever you call it. Location Georgia.

 

[hambone1950]

Hi red , welcome to the forum. R2d2 refers to the bullet smokers that look like that robot from starwars. Anyhow , you have a different type. 

If you search the forum for threads about brinkmann horizontal smokers you will find all kinds of modifications that people do to them to get them to work efficiently . I know sealing up the seams is key and there are vent mods and baffles and all kinda stuff to help make it work better. 

Personally , I use a weber bullet smoker , so I'm not the one to tell you. I just wanted to say hello and nudge you in the right direction.   There are tons of people on here who use just the smoker you have , so you will be able to get all the advice you need. Just keep asking questions.

here is a site I found that shows a few mods

http://grillinfools.com/blog/2009/03/16/offsethorizontal-smoker-modifications/

good luck , brother. 

 

[flash]

I'll have to side with Hambone on this one. Mine was a vertical also.