275gal offset smoker techniques and suggestions

gsobbq · May 2, 2013

Hello fellas! I have been a member of the site for a time but this is my first post.

I just bought a 275 gallon offset smoker off of craigslist. I was just wondering what techniques and/or suggestions you have on using the firebox. I have used grills of this size but not with the firebox. I just wanted to know what is the best technique. My main question is should I use the firebox solely for heat or should I put wood/charcoal inside the tank also? Also, should I use a wood/charcoal mix or stick strictly with would?

I have included some pics and will upload some more tonight or tomorrow to give you a better idea of the design. I really can not wait to fire this thing up. I am going to clean and paint it this weekend and hopefully next weekend fire it up.

Any suggestions are greatly welcomed and appreciated.

luke duke · May 2, 2013

I don't see a firebox

fweck · May 2, 2013

You must be the number one lurker on this site :wink:
Don't know anything about one that big, but it sure looks sweet!!
Can't wait to see more pron!!

gsobbq · May 2, 2013

It's off to the lower left corner. You can see the bottom of it. I will definitely upload more pics for a better view.

gsobbq · May 2, 2013

fweck, thanks! I will definitely put some pics up Saturday when I finish painting it.

Funky D · May 2, 2013

Hard to tell from the angle, but at first glance, that looks like a pretty small firebox for that much metal.

Will hold definite opinions until better pictures surface, but if it's as small as it appears, I forsee a lot of mesquite in your future.

DownHomeQue · May 2, 2013

Looks like a nice stickburner... to answer your questions your going to want to do some test runs... conventionally with smokers like that you start a small charcoal or lum charcoal fire... about a quarter of a bag.. then add sticks for fuel the rest of the cook about every 45 minutes to an hour you are adding 1 or 2 logs, depending on the temp you are cooking at, the weather, altitude, moisture in the air and in the wood.. etc. no fire in the cooking chamber at all.

DownHomeQue · May 2, 2013

the sticks burn down into coals to replenish your coal base and keep your fire going...

gsobbq · May 2, 2013

Thanks DownHomeQue! I was kind of figuring that but wasn't sure. I will measure the firebox and send pics this evening for a better observation.

gsobbq · May 2, 2013

Funky D said:
Hard to tell from the angle, but at first glance, that looks like a pretty small firebox for that much metal.

Will hold definite opinions until better pictures surface, but if it's as small as it appears, I forsee a lot of mesquite in your future.

Yeah Funky D, I thought the same thing once I got on this forum and compared it to others but there are some that are kind of the same size too. So I guess I'll just have to get it fired up.

Zak · May 2, 2013

Charcoal isn't going to cut in a smoker of this size, you need to burn sticks and only in the firebox. I have one that's similar and the temp had a hard time getting over 100+/- even with as much charcoal as the grate would hold. There's just too much volume for charcoal to heat. Be prepared, it's going to be a fuel hog. On average i put in about 2-3 pieces of wood everytime i refuel which is about every hour or so depending on how hot i'm running. Once you get it dialed in then it's no big deal but there's deffinately a learning curve.

luke duke · May 2, 2013

Funky D said:
Hard to tell from the angle, but at first glance, that looks like a pretty small firebox for that much metal.

Agreed

gsobbq · May 2, 2013

As promised here are some other pics of the smoker. The firebox is 24x12x12.

Butt Rubb'n BBQ · May 2, 2013

I use pecan logs is mine. Will put a small bed of charcoal under wood when first light to have instant coals. Once it gets up to temp it burns 2 logs about every 1.5 hours and I always cook at 225.

dwfisk · May 2, 2013

This thing is a beast and it's gonna put out some good Q! Looks like it's made to be a carolina hog cooker. To use it as a true offset, the firebox is quite small. By my rough calcs 275 gallons = 37 cu-ft; you need a +12 cu-ft firebox or something like 30"x30"x30" to be safe. I'm pretty sure that is why there is a door to add coals for direct heat. I'm just guessing but it's pretty common to use this kind of cooker in conjunction with an external fire source where you can shovel in hot coals and spread them as kind of a low intensity direct heat.

gsobbq · May 2, 2013

Butt Rubb'n BBQ said:
I use pecan logs is mine. Will put a small bed of charcoal under wood when first light to have instant coals. Once it gets up to temp it burns 2 logs about every 1.5 hours and I always cook at 225.

Thanks, Rubb'n! I think I am going to try you and DownHomeQue's way. I will use a charcoal base and fuel it with wood. I'll see what comes of it.

I thought about doing a mod on the firebox to get it to at least 24x24x24 but I don't know if it could be done or if it's worth it.

NC-Q · May 2, 2013

Been cooking hogs on cookers like that since I was a kid! That's a quintessential NC cooker if there ever was one. That firebox is pretty small, but I always do a combo of a good oak or hickory fire burning in the firebox, then shoveling some coals from a fire burning in a barrel around the edge of the cooker. Pile in a bunch near the end to crisp up the skin and get some good cracklin'.

NC-Q · May 2, 2013

Yeah, so PM me if you have any questions, used to have one almost exactly like it.

tonytort · May 2, 2013

Cant wait to see it cleaned up and painted. Have you considered having a larger fire box built on?

mikeleonard81 · May 3, 2013

Is that a stack on the back? I've never seen a smoker with 3 OR 4. Could someone explain to me why so many? Thanks.

275gal offset smoker techniques and suggestions

Knows what a fatty is.

Attachments

is Blowin Smoke!

is one Smokin' Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

is Blowin Smoke!

is Blowin Smoke!

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

Full Fledged Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

Knows what a fatty is.

Attachments

Take a breath!

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

tonytort

Guest

Full Fledged Farker

Similar threads