This is a membership forum. As a guest, you can click around a bit. View 5 pages for free. If you are a member you must log in now. If you would like to participate, please join.
That's awesome. My first smoker was a Pit Boss vertical pellet smoker from Lowes in April of 2020. The latest model has many upgrades. I now have a pit barrel junior too, and look forward to a gravity fed one day. I think I'll go with the offset Old County Brazos from Academy when I start stick burning. Couldn't find the metal thickness on the Highland, but the Brazos is quarter inch, but double the cost. Brazos doesn't reverse flow if that's a key feature.
Overthinking seems to be part of this instant global communication we have now.
I am guilty of it myself, bought a COS several years ago, did all the youtube mods etc.
Now it leaks a little bit here and there but I can now produce reasonably consistent good eats.
Why? Because I have learned how to drive it.
Get that sucker burnt in, start with something cheap, chicken wings or even snags and get cooking mate.
There's a world of info here that got me up and running, but the best way is just have a crack yourself.
Documenting your cooks until you know that suckers behaviour by heart is very important.
And remember that failure is always an option with a smoker, write down what you did and learn from your mistakes.
End of sermon, most importantly have fun with your new hobby/addiction haha
Last edited by Stuey1515; July 6, 2021, 01:07 AM.
Reason: Translated to English
You seem to have a really good plan as I mentioned. 👍 Your main areas of concern, for leaks, will be the firebox and cooking chamber doors. And honestly, a lot of smokers have at least some small air leaks, don’t get too concerned about that unless you think it’s affecting your cooking temps. There’s also still plenty of smoke inside for your meat if it’s not too bad.
Last edited by Panhead John; July 5, 2021, 08:16 PM.
Yeah, try not to over think it. I wouldn’t waste my time rubbing anything. Spray with Pam or something similar. Then just let it burn hot for a few hours at least, afterwards.
I’m assuming you’re going to do all the mods before your burn ins, except for the gaskets.
The Rutland 2000F Stove Gasket Cement for the firebox I'm using during assembly needs heat to cure, I am basically just "gluing" the 2 halves' mating surfaces with the bolts and to cooking chamber. If it lasts great if not oh well but the red RTV is only rated to 650F and looks crappy. The smoke stack connection, RTV here, will be sealed during assembly and given at least 24hrs to cure.
I'm holding off on the lid gaskets for now and see how it goes.
Leave a comment: