Thinking of upgrading from a vertical to a chargriller-smokin pros get in here!

[mr porky]

Thanks! She saw it when she came home from work last night and liked it. Told her what I gave for it and with the sale of the other smoker I won't be too far over what we previously agreed to budget for it in the first place.

Shes cool with it all, as so far I've been able to produce fairly edible chow. Got some babybacks, and perhaps even a fatty for Sunday

 

[mr porky]

Finished puttin it all together with the vent mod.


A wok topper in use for the firebox. Figured I can shake the ash off, and probably put the handles on the grate rail to get a bit more airflow under it. I originally picked this up for the other unit but it wouldn't fit. Told the missus I need something that it'll fit in, otherwise its a waste of 10 bucks

One other thing. Earlier I called chargriller to advise I was missing the axle. No prob they say. Will get it shipped tomorrow. Well, hells bells as I was finishing this up I hear a 'clang clang clang' coming from where the boat is. I look up and see my daughter with a rod. Sure enough it is the missing axle!!! She must have snagged it yesterday as I was getting things out of the box and with my back turned.

Soooooo, I call CG and inform the lady not to bother sending a replacement.

I explained what had happened and she had a good laugh and thanked me for calling back.

My lil girl was patient while I finished this up and learned a good lesson. Tell dad before you take it and if you don't put it back where ya found it, at least remember where ya left it! Here she is thankful dad's done and she gets to go for a much deserved bike ride!

 

[watermelonslim]

Can you close the lid with the warming rack on and the smokestack mod on? I had to take my warming rack off because the smokestack mod wouldn't let me close the lid without hitting the warming rack...

Maybe I need to go make some "adjustments" to mine tonight...

 

[mr porky]

I had thought of that as well. I was peeking to see if so when closing. The rack seems to meet the duct but does not interfere with it. A perfect fit as it can get.

 

[bishop916]

Well, its aluminum - haven't had any probs with mine just yet.

 

[watermelonslim]

How did you mount your smokestack mod? Did you use a hammer or something? Mine flat out won't clear the warming rack. I mean I can't even close the lid. I'm pretty sure we're using the same 3" ducting too.

I think I need to bend mine more so it goes further into the lid right at the smokestack. Need a sharper angle or something on that curve...

 

[mr porky]

I just bent it to follow the shape of the lid. It'll still butt up to the warming rack, but not enough to 'pinch' it.

 

[smokin out the neighbors]

Good job assembling the smoker Porky, looks great. One thing to consider, one purpose of the charcoal basket is to raise the charcoal up for a long smoke. I recommend flipping that original charcoal grate over to get more clearance below your basket. I actually made a similar basket that hangs from those rails the grill grates sit on.

Make sure to season the smoker before cooking.

 

[smokin out the neighbors]

How did you mount your smokestack mod? Did you use a hammer or something? Mine flat out won't clear the warming rack. I mean I can't even close the lid. I'm pretty sure we're using the same 3" ducting too.

Hey Salty, I think you must be using a different vent tube. The one you want to use if you want to keep your warming rack is made from very thin aluminum. It will smash completely flat by hand with little effort, similar to an aluminum can. You must be using some heavier tubing. I got mine from Rural King, but I don't know if you have one around. If X-Factor stops in he had a link to some online somewhere, but I can't find it.

 

[mossymo]

MR PORKY
First up I want to say going from a vertical to a horizontal is not an upgrade. To me it is adding another tool that will make my job easier..... "The right tool, for the the right job" type of thinking. Sausage for a vertical, ribs for a horizontal; not saying one can not do the other either.

Then I want to tell you you made excellent mods to your horizontal, Great job !!!

 

[watermelonslim]

And it is still rigid enough to stay in place/shape or do you need some way to mount it to the side of the lid?

 

[mr porky]

Thanks! I had intended to, and for todays smoke I have the 'handles' resting on the guide rail for that extra clearance. I just set the basket in the SFB to show what I was using in the pic

Got off work and got her seasoned yesterday afternoon and ready to smoke today.

I see what yer saying, and I agree with what ya posted, but to me it was an upgrade based on (my train of thought) size and convenience.

 

[watermelonslim]

So this weekend I tried to bend mine a little more, and sure enough, it was easily bendable. I bent it a little and I now how my warming rack installed with the smokestack mod. Next weekend I'm going to attemp some of the mods to seal it up.Did I mention how much I love this forum?