I put together and seasoned my new Bronco Pro, ribs going on today! What is the purpose of the big part "Ash Pan Support"? Seems like the ash pan should just sit on the bottom, the support obviously ultimately raises the charcoal basket significantly and I would think too high especially when I want to hang ribs. The website sells the part but doesn't list a description or purpose. I hope this isn't a stupid question!
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I assume you mean the ring that the ash pan sits on? I think it's there to help manage air flow.
In any case, it shouldn't be an issue when hanging ribs. The hangers attach to the drum in a way that puts them up near the top of the lid when it closes.
I have had a few occasions where the rack of ribs was long enough that it touched the deflector plate, but I just either trimmed the rack, or cut it in half. I've also seen mention of folks hanging their ribs hammock style.
I would assemble as intended, and go from there as far as mods, and trying different things.
Enjoy the new cooker!! -
+1 On my last Bronco cook, the BB ribs hung too long and touched the coals so I just cut them in half and rehung. No problem. I was not using the deflector plate. I have always used the ring the ash pan sits on. I love the Bronco! Enjoy your new cooker.Comment
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With the air intake at center bottom, if you placed the ash pan directly on the bottom it would block all, or nearly all, of the intake air. If you really wanted to gain some hanging height for comparatively short cooks such as ribs, you could buy the fuel bin for the regular sized Bronco. It's about half the height of the Pro bin so would gain you roughly 4" if you didn't run the baffle. And, if not having a baffle stresses you out, you can go to Hunsaker and buy one of their Vortex deflectors which can be made to sit on top of the fuel bin bale with only about 2" of added height. Lots of little fun things can be done to alter the cooking configurations.
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Well there you go, I'm glad I asked. Y'all are using it, so that's what I'll do. Thanks!Comment
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Uncle Bob every time I am putting it back into the barrel that slight offset from center makes my skin crawl... -
Uncle Bob, this is exactly why I haven't gotten rid the Hunsaker Vortex charcoal basket that I originally bought for my WSM 22". That one does allow me to place it in the center of the Bronco Pro. I don't use it much anymore, but it's kind of a security blanket that I have if needed. 😄
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That is a good question and good answers above.
Generally speaking, the engineers who designed things kind of know what they are doing.
If I may suggest, give it a try before any modifications. It just may work just fine as all the others have.Comment
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