Insulated firebox on offset stick burners?

KingRanch450 · 08-26-2013, 09:28 AM

While watching the season finale of Pitmasters last night, I started wondering if there are any of the popular offset stick burners that have insulated firebox's other than Jambo.

hcj3rd · 08-26-2013, 11:46 AM

Pitmaker Magnum Sniper offset has an insulated firebox. You can upgrade the Pitmaker Long Rifle to an insulated firebox.

GMDGeek · 08-26-2013, 12:00 PM

R&O Pits as well are insulated.

CtTradArcher · 08-26-2013, 01:03 PM

Is an insulated firebox really that much more efficient than uninsulated? I admit I can be a bit simple minded at times, but I just can't imagine it makes a considerable difference.
I can understand an insulated cooking chamber where you are trying to reach and maintain temps.
To me, it seems the heat is leaving the firebox at a rate determined by the dampers and would only be marginally effected by outside temps.

DownHomeQue · 08-26-2013, 01:11 PM

Does make a difference in Rainy or cold weather.. also cooks more efficiently than a Regular FB offset..

luke duke · 08-26-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CtTradArcher

Is an insulated firebox really that much more efficient than uninsulated? I admit I can be a bit simple minded at times, but I just can't imagine it makes a considerable difference.
I can understand an insulated cooking chamber where you are trying to reach and maintain temps.
To me, it seems the heat is leaving the firebox at a rate determined by the dampers and would only be marginally effected by outside temps.

Yes, it makes a difference. The k-value (measure of thermal conductivity) of mineral wool is 0.04 W/(m.K) and the k-value of steel is 43 W/(m.K).

Going from a 1/4" to a 1/2" firebox provides a negligible insulation difference.

DriverWild · 08-26-2013, 01:43 PM

In an offset you lose a lot of your heat through the top of the box since heat rises. If it's insulated the heat will need to route through the chimney. This equates to a smaller fire and less fuel.

BigDW · 08-26-2013, 01:49 PM

Coming from a COS I noticed a huge difference in the efficiency of my fire when I made the jump to an insulated firebox. That being said, a lot of it probably had to do with the number of leaks as well but just watching my old one you could literally see the heat coming off of the firebox rather than going into the chamber. That is not the case with an insulated firebox, especially in less than great weather.

Big George's BBQ · 08-26-2013, 01:51 PM

Meadow Creek is doing that now

NoSwineLeftBehind · 08-26-2013, 01:52 PM

Our Peoria Cookers "Meat Monster" has an insulated firebox. (actually, the whole thing is insulated) A little fuel goes a long way!

MilitantSquatter · 08-26-2013, 05:21 PM

I have an insulated vertical only offset on order being made by Lonestar...

I went with the insulated firebox ... (2) 1/4" plates w/ insulation in the middle.

You lose the ability to have a grill top firebox though...

dwfisk · 08-26-2013, 05:26 PM

Huge difference! Your temp/air & draft control becomes much more predictable and fuel consumption goes way down. Wish I had and some day probably will insipulate my firebox.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CtTradArcher

Is an insulated firebox really that much more efficient than uninsulated? I admit I can be a bit simple minded at times, but I just can't imagine it makes a considerable difference.
I can understand an insulated cooking chamber where you are trying to reach and maintain temps.
To me, it seems the heat is leaving the firebox at a rate determined by the dampers and would only be marginally effected by outside temps.

ChiefBrock · 08-27-2013, 05:55 PM

yep...my next will be a Meadow Creek reverse flow....likely the 120. :) with insulated firebox for sure.

Muscrat · 08-27-2013, 07:34 PM

The smokers I built have had insulated boxes. I borrowed a cooker for a comp after I sold mine and the box wasn't insulated. I vowed at that time to NEVER own another cooker without an insulated box. I was used to mine and we fought that think all day and night. I built another rig and the temp control on it is almost like a uds, just add a split once an hour and it doesn't move. I'm fixing to build a backyard model with an insulated box an am curious how little wood it will use.

Bigbrett · 08-27-2013, 08:35 PM

What do you use for insulation? Building another stick burner and want to insulate the fire box.

08-26-2013, 09:28 AM	#1
KingRanch450 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-15-11 Location: Rockwall, Tx/Lake Fork, Tx	Insulated firebox on offset stick burners? While watching the season finale of Pitmasters last night, I started wondering if there are any of the popular offset stick burners that have insulated firebox's other than Jambo. __________________ Custom built offset/Char Griller Akorn/Traeger Timberline 1300

08-26-2013, 11:46 AM	#2
hcj3rd On the road to being a farker Join Date: 10-13-09 Location: Alvin, Texas	Pitmaker Magnum Sniper offset has an insulated firebox. You can upgrade the Pitmaker Long Rifle to an insulated firebox. __________________ Harry Weber 22.5 WSM (2) UDS, Chargriller Acorn, Pit Barrel Cooker, Pitmaker Vault, Safe and Sniper on Trailer

08-26-2013, 12:00 PM	#3
GMDGeek is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-10-12 Location: Wylie, TX	R&O Pits as well are insulated. __________________ Bib Up and Dive In! [URL]http://divepigs.blogspot.com/[/URL]

08-26-2013, 01:03 PM	#4
CtTradArcher On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-20-13 Location: West Cornwall, Ct	Is an insulated firebox really that much more efficient than uninsulated? I admit I can be a bit simple minded at times, but I just can't imagine it makes a considerable difference. I can understand an insulated cooking chamber where you are trying to reach and maintain temps. To me, it seems the heat is leaving the firebox at a rate determined by the dampers and would only be marginally effected by outside temps. __________________ All that you bring into the lives of others will come back to you in your own. Good or Bad. Large UDS, Small UDS, CG Akorn, NB Bandera, NB Black Diamond, Home Built Offset, Vision Classic Kamado, Green Mountain Daniel Boone, Weber Gasser, Smokey Mountain Cabinet, and several Weber kettles of various sizes.

08-26-2013, 01:11 PM	#5
DownHomeQue is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-11-12 Location: Jonesboro. AR Name/Nickname : DHQ	Does make a difference in Rainy or cold weather.. also cooks more efficiently than a Regular FB offset.. __________________ [URL]http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243527[/URL] 150 Gallon Build (2017) [URL]http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148660[/URL] 250 Gallon Offset Build (2012) [URL]http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211078[/URL] 600 Gallon Offset Build (2016)

08-26-2013, 01:43 PM	#7
DriverWild is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 10-01-12 Location: Omaha, NE	In an offset you lose a lot of your heat through the top of the box since heat rises. If it's insulated the heat will need to route through the chimney. This equates to a smaller fire and less fuel. __________________ Custom RF, Gateway, Weber Performer Platinum, Super Fast Thermopen - Camo

08-26-2013, 01:49 PM	#8
BigDW Got Wood. Join Date: 03-11-13 Location: Middle America Name/Nickname : BigDW	Coming from a COS I noticed a huge difference in the efficiency of my fire when I made the jump to an insulated firebox. That being said, a lot of it probably had to do with the number of leaks as well but just watching my old one you could literally see the heat coming off of the firebox rather than going into the chamber. That is not the case with an insulated firebox, especially in less than great weather. __________________ Blackshirt BBQ / Peoria Custom Cooker / Weber 22.5 Kettle

08-26-2013, 01:51 PM	#9
Big George's BBQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 02-07-08 Location: Framingham, MA Name/Nickname : George	Meadow Creek is doing that now __________________ Large BIG Green EGG- Hatched 8/17/09 Backwoods Extented Party- sold Weber Genesis Gasser Mid Atlantic BBQ Association KCBS Back Porch BBQ Competition BBQ Team Proud Member of the Zero Club When all else fails ask yourself WWGALD

08-26-2013, 01:52 PM	#10
NoSwineLeftBehind Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 08-12-13 Location: Springfield, IL	Our Peoria Cookers "Meat Monster" has an insulated firebox. (actually, the whole thing is insulated) A little fuel goes a long way!

08-27-2013, 05:55 PM	#13
ChiefBrock Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 01-29-13 Location: Charleston SC	yep...my next will be a Meadow Creek reverse flow....likely the 120. :) with insulated firebox for sure. __________________ Meadow Creek PR42

08-27-2013, 07:34 PM	#14
Muscrat is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-15-10 Location: Tuscola Texas	The smokers I built have had insulated boxes. I borrowed a cooker for a comp after I sold mine and the box wasn't insulated. I vowed at that time to NEVER own another cooker without an insulated box. I was used to mine and we fought that think all day and night. I built another rig and the temp control on it is almost like a uds, just add a split once an hour and it doesn't move. I'm fixing to build a backyard model with an insulated box an am curious how little wood it will use. __________________ Its Si-intistic, Jack! LIL' Shananay-backyard cooker Coming soon- micro smoker!!!

08-27-2013, 08:35 PM	#15
Bigbrett Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 01-20-13 Location: China Twp. Mi.	What do you use for insulation? Building another stick burner and want to insulate the fire box. __________________ Built by Brett trailer mounted 24"x60" stick burner, ECB