My Brinkmann Gourmet Smoker Modifications

SoEzzy · Posted: May 03 2014 Post subject:

Please make pictures no longer than 650px on the longest side!
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zipr · Joined: 27 Apr 2014 Posts: 3

SoEzzy · Posted: May 03 2014 Post subject:

Thanks for your speedy actions!
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Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

equium · Joined: 25 Jun 2014 Posts: 4

Reposting this from the tech talk forum to share my experience:
Hi Everyone. newbie here.
I received a Brinkman Gourmet bullet smoker as a 10 year anniversary gift from my company.
I was oringally going to go with a propane or electric smoker, but free is free.
I performed the following ECB mods:
2 dampers on bottom
1 damper on top
raised charcoal grate for ashes to fall through.
Added thermometer just above the side access panel.
fiberglass rope insulation on lid.

I just completed a run-through burn with no food. I'm a bit concerned about the data I recorded.

Start charcoal with Minion Method using Cheap Safeway brand charcoal.
Both Bottom dampers closed. Top Damper at 1/2 open
15 minutes=250 degrees
30 = 275
45 = 375
closed top damper at 45 minutes
1hr = 375
1:15 = 380
1:30 = 375
1:45 = 365
2hr = 350
2:15 = 340
2:30 = 310

at this point the charcoal is almost gone. I probably should have used more, but this was just the initial burn-in.
Needless to say, I'd like the ability to attain lower temps.
I did not seal off the smokers original vent hole in the bottom.
Should I have sealed it off?

I'm very excited to get into smoking. Any advice on my ECB would be appreciated.
thanks everyone

Update: I now realize I have to seal the original hole.
I pulled my fiberglass rope waaay to tight and the lid slides into the cooker; i'm going to add another layer of rope.

based on my results, should I be considering sealing where the cooker meets the charcoal pan?

thanks again

SoEzzy · Posted: Jul 22 2014 Post subject:

No you need to control the intake but where the charcoal pan meets the cooker is needed for airflow.
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Here's a change Robert.

I still work here!

equium · Joined: 25 Jun 2014 Posts: 4

Hoke · Joined: 08 Jul 2013 Posts: 3

In regards to the tadpole gasket around the bottom of the brinkmann smoker. I notice that you attached the tadpole gasket with ss pan head screws with ss washers and nuts you mention that you applied rtv to the loose screws. My question is did you apply the rtv completely around the tadpole gaskets or just around the screws.

day_trippr · Posted: Nov 28 2015 Post subject:

Howdy folks! Long time since I swung 'round this part of the intertoobs.

I was prompted to post this by a SR member who tried to get to my Brinkmann Mod's page only to find it gone.

My humble repository was hosted by Comcast, but I left their evil clutches over 3 years ago now. To their credit, they kept the "site" alive until a week or two ago when they finally pulled the plug on all of the Comcast ex-pats personal web pages.

All that said, I always maintained a mirror of my web pages on my home machines, so I've created a zip archive of the smoker mods page, and put a copy on my Google Drive. You can access that file here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9LDZiaPcEoSeWFaRGRwWDB6aVk/view?usp=sharing

Pull it over, unzip it somewhere, then launch the html file at the top and you'll have your own copy.

This should work without issue, but if anyone has a problem let me know and I'll figure out what I fat-fingered.

Cheers!

/day_trippr
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FrankennBrinkmann ECB
Char-Broil Commercial Gasser

spacerocks1 · Joined: 27 Feb 2016 Posts: 2

day_trippr

Thanks for making this available. Could you please add the PDFs referenced in the HTML? They aren't part of the zip that is posted.

chaz2602 · Joined: 29 Feb 2016 Posts: 2

Hey all,

To make it easier for people to get to, I pulled down day_trippr's original Brinkmann mods page and hosted it back up online at http://ecb.chasefryer.com

Hope it serves you guys well!

spacerocks1 · Joined: 27 Feb 2016 Posts: 2

day_trippr,

The links to the three PDFs are still unresolvable on the website.

file:///E:/General/WebSite/junkdrawer/smoker/bracket.pdf
file:///E:/General/WebSite/junkdrawer/smoker/damper_3.pdf
file:///E:/General/WebSite/junkdrawer/smoker/handle.pdf

chaz2602 · Joined: 29 Feb 2016 Posts: 2

Thanks for the note spacerocks1.

I've fixed the pdf links now on the webpage I stood up - http://ecb.chasefryer.com

Cheers!

snowdave · Joined: 28 Nov 2015 Posts: 1

I have done all of these mods to my Brinkmann and love it. I use the iGrill2 to monitor the temp of both the smoker and the meat, which makes it much easier. I notice the two main things I still need to do while smoking are playing with the vents to control the temp and adding wood chips. I know expensive smokers automate some of this, so I have been looking into ways to control the airflow automatically. Has anyone used one of the temperature controls on their Brinkmann? Pics? The two most common ones I see are PartyQ & Pitmaster IQ. I have also considered making my own with a Raspberry Pi and a fan....or somehow getting access to the iDevices code so I can write an app that does it all from my phone Smile

BBQ Hobo · Joined: 16 Feb 2011 Posts: 21 Location: Pikes Peak Region