ANY IDEAS?

SPOKANE SMOKER · Posted: May 15 2006 Post subject: ANY IDEAS?

I started smoking on a brinkmann verticle water smoker. I didn't have the skill or time for the charcoal so I put a electric element in the bottom for heat. For the smoke I purchased a "Smoke Pistol" from www.smokepistol.com. It worked great! The Brinkmann was made out of pretty cheap metal and didn't hold the heat as well when it got cold. I lined the inside of the smoker with reflective insulation. Man did this ever help! That thing held at 220deg even in sub zero temps. I have done many briskets and a pork shoulder and a few racks of ribs. HERES WHERE I NEED SOME INPUT. I recently aquired a beautiful stainless steel cabinet. It is a Carter Hoffman banquet holding cart. One side is heated and the other side is not. This thing is made out of 20 guage ss 2 ply with insulation in the middle. It has double doors and heavy duty slam latches. It sits on big casters and moves easily. I would like to convert this to a smoker. I'm trying to get some ideas and imput before I do anything. I was thinking of maybe having a firebox made that I could bolt to the side. The other thought was maybe to have a little hopper installed with an auger to a burning pot, kind of like the Cookshack Fast Eddie. This cabinet is like 2 fast eddies wide and a little taller even. My wife thinks I should sell it on ebay and then buy something. The only thing is this cabinet is top quality stuff. I'd never have to buy anything else. To replace it with 2 Fast Eddies would be tooo much money for me to spend right now. I suppose I could use electric and my Smoke Pistol which has worked very well for me, however if i'm ever going to compete someday I'd like to learn ton use a firebox or pellets. would a traditional square firebox work well with this kind of a cabinet? Alright guru's lets hear it!

BBQMAN · Posted: May 16 2006 Post subject:

The cabinet would work well with a few things to keep in mind.

Does it have styrofoam (or other expanded polystyrene) type of insulation? Most of those type carts are not equiped with high temp insulation, as they dont ever get that hot. You will need to remove (if possible) the foam, and repack with fiberglass or other heat proof (such as firewool for large ovens) insulation.

If there is no way to replace the insulation (some is injected after assembly) I would choose another option. There are a few threads here covering this topic, so just my two cents worth! Very Happy

_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

SPOKANE SMOKER · Posted: May 18 2006 Post subject: THANKS FOR THE INPUT

BBQ Man,

Thanks for the input. I believe that the manufacturer stated that it had fiberglass insulation in the middle of the ss. I plugged in the electric heater that came with the unit and it heated to 185 deg. It kicked out at 185. I was thinking about getting a thermostat that would go higher and just use the original heater for the heat and use my smoke pistol for the smoke. I know that in the K.C. BBQ Society sanctioned events you can only cook with wood or charcoal. That is why I was thinking of converting it. Right now it is just a thought for a future project. I am going to get a Char Griller off set smoker for Fathers day. This will give me some practice with wood and charcoal to see how I do. It sounds like it is a fairly good unit for the price. I have been reading up on some of the mods that allow it to retain the heat better. I can't wait to start using a true off set smoker. I just really want to do Q the way it should be done.
Thanks again for your input.

Mikesooner · Posted: May 18 2006 Post subject:

Wifes..stock up on wood, charcoal, lump, whatever you intend to use. You'll go through a lot if ya do briskets, butts, the meats that take a LONG time to smoke!! Shocked

If you can get a good deal on a WSM..do it!! My 2 centavos..Mike

SPOKANE SMOKER · Posted: May 19 2006 Post subject: WHAT DO YOU USE

HEY MIKE! What kind of smoker do you use? I currently use a brinkman vertical water smoker ($57 at wal-mart). Supposed to use charcoal, I tried it once and then converted it to electric. That was before I found this forum and read the mods to the charcoal bowl to allow more airflow to the fire. I may try it again. I have read different opinions about adding more charcoal for long smokes. Do you add unlit charcoal or lit charcoal? Obviously I need a little guidence in this reguard. Hows things in Bellvue? I have a sister-in-law that lives in Puyallup, we visit her from time to time. Havent been to your side of the State for a while. Talk to ya later!

Mikesooner · Posted: May 19 2006 Post subject:

Wife's..I've got an OK Joe offset, and a WSM. I first used the OK to do a couple of briskets using a combo of briquettes and different woods. I want to buy or build a charcoal basket to make it a bit easier for the long cooks, briskets, butts. I did a couple of butts for my first WSM cook. It has a charcoal ring. I filled it up with unlit charcoal and a few chunks of apple I then added a chimney of lit briqs. after playing with the dampers for a while, I was able to keep a fairly steady temp of 250- about 270. It worked great!!Things are pretty good here..about 76 or more today, supposed to be some showers on the way for the forseeable time, Sundays supposed to be dry, thinkin' about some beer can chicken, maybe some ribs. Haven't been to the Puyallup area for a while. Have a uncle in Sumner. Stay cool Bud..Mike