Tuning Plates and Baffle

Sgtcomp0311 · 08-09-2009, 11:16 AM

I will be receiving my first smoker in about 2 weeks. It is a gift, a little birdy told me about.......I just need to act surprised that day! Anyway, it is a CG Smoking Pro. I have been researching the mods that are recommended to the unit. I am going to do most of them as I assemble it. My question is on the tuning plates and baffle. What gauge sheet metal do you guys recommend? My local home depot/lowes do not carry any pre cut pieces so I will go to a local steel fabricator. I also plan on getting my expanded metal from him as well.

Thanks for the help!
Matt

B-Lazy BBQ · 08-09-2009, 12:32 PM

I used 16ga. (1/16") on mine. No pics yet. Wife has the camera, and I'm doing a trial with a chuck roll, cut in fourths. Did the mods yesterday. Staying about 15-20 difference across the smoker. Holding at 250* right next to firebox. Will post pics soon.

Sgtcomp0311 · 08-09-2009, 08:14 PM

Thanks a ton!! Since you are having good results, looks likes thats what I'll get!!

Sgtcomp0311 · 08-09-2009, 09:42 PM

Actually, doing more research, would steel plates be better than sheet metal?? Thoughts anyone........

countyliner · 08-10-2009, 06:47 AM

I have the same question, Sgtcomp. Seems like steel plate would help hold heat.

I've had my Chargriller for a few years now and love it. Until joining the Brethren, it never occured to me to make modifications. Mine is about worn out now but I will definately buy another and make some mods to it.

Swibirun shows some mods he made on the 'Brinkman Smoker' thread. Might get some ideas there.

Would like to hear what you decide on doing.

Thanks

Desert Dweller · 08-10-2009, 08:12 AM

Is the CG Smoker Pro an offset? If so, I have it's predicessor, the New Brunsfeld model. I used steel plates for my heat shield/baffle and the tuning plates. It works just fine. Shhet metal would not, I think, distribute the heat nor hold up as well.

I know I posted pics of the mods but I sure can't find them now. Good Luck!

Crüe-B-Cüe · 08-10-2009, 09:10 AM

I used tuning plates on my CG. I bought the precut little plates at Lowe's. They were about 6 x 12. Sat perfectly just above the opening to fire box. I used 4 plates.

Sgtcomp0311 · 08-10-2009, 10:11 AM

I am thinking I will be going with steel. DesertDweller brought up the right idea and I agree. The steel will; A) hold up better and B) retain the heat better.
I figure I will use plates that are about 1/16" - 1/8" thick.

Countyliner or Que: I do not even have mine yet....I want to get all materials prior to assembly.....what lenght will the plates need to be?

Thank you

jacob · 08-10-2009, 12:45 PM

We need a thread with pics on how to tune a pit. I can understand pictures descriptions a lot better. I have this same dilemma coming up soon myself.

smokeythebama · 08-10-2009, 03:25 PM

got my baffle from Lowes, 16ga steel, 8"x18" little big had to cut it down. Seems to work alot better. Big improvement was charcoal basket. Holds temp alot better. Shaker basket from lowes, cut handles off, use round stock also from Lowes as supports, works magic.

Sgtcomp0311 · 08-10-2009, 09:08 PM

Hey Smokey,
yeah, looks like I am going to go with the steel.

On Weds, I will stop by a local steel fabricator/machine shop. I am going to have him make me everything I need. The local Home Dep/Lowes dont stock the pices of expanded metal, or pieces of metal/sheet metal.

One of the members here, HawgHeaven, has a decent tutorial as a PDF if you google Char Griller Mods. I am using his work as my template. That along with the other information provided from the BBQ Brethern should make a nice pit. Naturally, I still have unanswered questions, but, I will learn as I go and ask questions when needed. I actually asked another member, ThePigman, about his charcoal basket and he is sending me info on a mod tomorrow.

There is a good group of guys here!!

toadhunter911 · 08-10-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sgtcomp0311

Hey Smokey,
yeah, looks like I am going to go with the steel.

On Weds, I will stop by a local steel fabricator/machine shop. I am going to have him make me everything I need. The local Home Dep/Lowes dont stock the pices of expanded metal, or pieces of metal/sheet metal.

One of the members here, HawgHeaven, has a decent tutorial as a PDF if you google Char Griller Mods. I am using his work as my template. That along with the other information provided from the BBQ Brethern should make a nice pit. Naturally, I still have unanswered questions, but, I will learn as I go and ask questions when needed. I actually asked another member, ThePigman, about his charcoal basket and he is sending me info on a mod tomorrow.

There is a good group of guys here!!

100% agreed...

Sgtcomp0311 · 08-10-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toadhunter911

100% agreed...

Dont take this the wrong way, but how could you not agree!!

Everyone, and I mean everyone from Food Network Star down to the guy wondering where to find his next per diem job is helpful. We are all a bunch of guys (and girls ) gathered in search of perfect Q'ue. I truly appreciate everyone here!!

nolaman · 08-10-2009, 11:12 PM

WELL SAID!!!!
____________

I also bought a chargriller duo w/sfb recently, my first smoker. Are yall talking tuning plates to transfer heat from one side the darn thing to the other? TELL ME MOORE... TELL ME MORE...

I got a TRUCK LOAD of questions to ask about how to tame the beast.
Would appreciate any pointers my way...

My Q needs alot of improving!

bwproducts2000 · 07-01-2014, 10:09 PM

I have had been smoking for over 15 years and on a offset you definitely have to make mods or you will be chasing your heat constantly. Heres what I did on my second offset(smokey Joes longhorn), and this is from my hit and miss of my first one. I added the following: Baffle(1/4"), 5 tuning plates. 2 8" (1/4"), 2 6" and 1 4" (1/8") all from steel because it retains heat better. I added to the fire box and to the cooking chamber a graphite Fiberglass gasket with 2 pull down clamps to each side. I also made a 12" by 6 " charcoal basket set up for the minion method. Also brought the stack down to approx. 1 " from the cooking grate and added the existing pipe(6") to the smokestack. Added hole to accept cables for external temp units and lastly 1/4" by 6" piece of steel where I lay on a angle in the firebox to help direct the heat into the cooking chamber. By doing this I maintain a 5 degree difference from left to right on a normal day (can't complain about this) and my food turns out fab everytime. When I get a chance, I will post pictures how it looks and the mods I made. if anyone has any questions, call me, I am always willing to share the Magic of Smoking meat, because that is what it is (910)381-0968!
Steve

08-09-2009, 11:16 AM	#1
Sgtcomp0311 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-30-09 Location: Manahawkin, Nj	Tuning Plates and Baffle I will be receiving my first smoker in about 2 weeks. It is a gift, a little birdy told me about.......I just need to act surprised that day! Anyway, it is a CG Smoking Pro. I have been researching the mods that are recommended to the unit. I am going to do most of them as I assemble it. My question is on the tuning plates and baffle. What gauge sheet metal do you guys recommend? My local home depot/lowes do not carry any pre cut pieces so I will go to a local steel fabricator. I also plan on getting my expanded metal from him as well. Thanks for the help! Matt

08-09-2009, 12:32 PM	#2
B-Lazy BBQ On the road to being a farker Join Date: 08-04-09 Location: Big Bend, WI	I used 16ga. (1/16") on mine. No pics yet. Wife has the camera, and I'm doing a trial with a chuck roll, cut in fourths. Did the mods yesterday. Staying about 15-20 difference across the smoker. Holding at 250* right next to firebox. Will post pics soon. __________________ 2 18" WSM's (L&DE), 1 22" WSM (AA), Chargriller Pro offset, WGA, SJS, SJ, Char Broil charcoal grill

08-10-2009, 08:12 AM	#6
Desert Dweller Babbling Farker Join Date: 08-03-08 Location: Mesa, AZ Not exactly hell, but the zip code is very close...	Is the CG Smoker Pro an offset? If so, I have it's predicessor, the New Brunsfeld model. I used steel plates for my heat shield/baffle and the tuning plates. It works just fine. Shhet metal would not, I think, distribute the heat nor hold up as well. I know I posted pics of the mods but I sure can't find them now. Good Luck! __________________ [FONT=Comic Sans MS]Bo Compton in Mesa, AZ, KCBS CBJ[/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS]Weber Ranch Kettle, BDS Mega, OTS x 2, Weber Platinum[/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS]18.5 WSM w/Stacker from ProQ, 22.5 WSM, Reverse Flow Lang Clone 80 butt capacity mounted on 25 foot trailer with attached awnings[/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=#ff0000]LFSA RED Thermapen,[/COLOR] [/FONT] [FONT=Comic Sans MS]And 1 2010 Victor brand Hot Dog Cart[/FONT]

08-10-2009, 09:10 AM	#7
Crüe-B-Cüe is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-25-07 Location: Mobile, AL	I used tuning plates on my CG. I bought the precut little plates at Lowe's. They were about 6 x 12. Sat perfectly just above the opening to fire box. I used 4 plates. __________________ Wes - Mobile, AL - Large Big Green Egg, MES 40
	1 members found this post helpful.

08-10-2009, 12:45 PM	#9
jacob Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 12-30-06 Location: Dalton Georgia Name/Nickname : Bobby	We need a thread with pics on how to tune a pit. I can understand pictures descriptions a lot better. I have this same dilemma coming up soon myself. __________________ Weber One Touch Gold Smokers- Back In Stock Napoleon Apollo Smoker Courtesy of *Ray Lampe*

08-09-2009, 08:14 PM	#3
Sgtcomp0311 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-30-09 Location: Manahawkin, Nj	Thanks a ton!! Since you are having good results, looks likes thats what I'll get!!

08-09-2009, 09:42 PM	#4
Sgtcomp0311 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-30-09 Location: Manahawkin, Nj	Actually, doing more research, would steel plates be better than sheet metal?? Thoughts anyone........

08-10-2009, 06:47 AM	#5
countyliner Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-02-09 Location: DeSoto County, MS	I have the same question, Sgtcomp. Seems like steel plate would help hold heat. I've had my Chargriller for a few years now and love it. Until joining the Brethren, it never occured to me to make modifications. Mine is about worn out now but I will definately buy another and make some mods to it. Swibirun shows some mods he made on the 'Brinkman Smoker' thread. Might get some ideas there. Would like to hear what you decide on doing. Thanks

08-10-2009, 10:11 AM	#8
Sgtcomp0311 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-30-09 Location: Manahawkin, Nj	I am thinking I will be going with steel. DesertDweller brought up the right idea and I agree. The steel will; A) hold up better and B) retain the heat better. I figure I will use plates that are about 1/16" - 1/8" thick. Countyliner or Que: I do not even have mine yet....I want to get all materials prior to assembly.....what lenght will the plates need to be? Thank you

08-10-2009, 03:25 PM	#10
smokeythebama On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-20-09 Location: Tiline,KY	got my baffle from Lowes, 16ga steel, 8"x18" little big had to cut it down. Seems to work alot better. Big improvement was charcoal basket. Holds temp alot better. Shaker basket from lowes, cut handles off, use round stock also from Lowes as supports, works magic. __________________ BAMA- Chargriller w/ side firebox, Weber OTS, Gaser, Certified MOINK Baller, UDS @ Home & Work

08-10-2009, 09:08 PM	#11
Sgtcomp0311 Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 07-30-09 Location: Manahawkin, Nj	Hey Smokey, yeah, looks like I am going to go with the steel. On Weds, I will stop by a local steel fabricator/machine shop. I am going to have him make me everything I need. The local Home Dep/Lowes dont stock the pices of expanded metal, or pieces of metal/sheet metal. One of the members here, HawgHeaven, has a decent tutorial as a PDF if you google Char Griller Mods. I am using his work as my template. That along with the other information provided from the BBQ Brethern should make a nice pit. Naturally, I still have unanswered questions, but, I will learn as I go and ask questions when needed. I actually asked another member, ThePigman, about his charcoal basket and he is sending me info on a mod tomorrow. There is a good group of guys here!!

08-10-2009, 11:12 PM	#14
nolaman is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 08-01-09 Location: Transplanted in Ellijay, Ga.	WELL SAID!!!! ____________ I also bought a chargriller duo w/sfb recently, my first smoker. Are yall talking tuning plates to transfer heat from one side the darn thing to the other? TELL ME MOORE... TELL ME MORE... I got a TRUCK LOAD of questions to ask about how to tame the beast. Would appreciate any pointers my way... My Q needs alot of improving!

07-01-2014, 10:09 PM	#15
bwproducts2000 Wandering around with a bag of matchlight, looking for a match. Join Date: 05-29-14 Location: Hubert NC	I have had been smoking for over 15 years and on a offset you definitely have to make mods or you will be chasing your heat constantly. Heres what I did on my second offset(smokey Joes longhorn), and this is from my hit and miss of my first one. I added the following: Baffle(1/4"), 5 tuning plates. 2 8" (1/4"), 2 6" and 1 4" (1/8") all from steel because it retains heat better. I added to the fire box and to the cooking chamber a graphite Fiberglass gasket with 2 pull down clamps to each side. I also made a 12" by 6 " charcoal basket set up for the minion method. Also brought the stack down to approx. 1 " from the cooking grate and added the existing pipe(6") to the smokestack. Added hole to accept cables for external temp units and lastly 1/4" by 6" piece of steel where I lay on a angle in the firebox to help direct the heat into the cooking chamber. By doing this I maintain a 5 degree difference from left to right on a normal day (can't complain about this) and my food turns out fab everytime. When I get a chance, I will post pictures how it looks and the mods I made. if anyone has any questions, call me, I am always willing to share the Magic of Smoking meat, because that is what it is (910)381-0968! Steve

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