Greasyhill Customs Model 400 Smoker w/rib box: Review and Modifications

[Fatmike]

Awesome, Thank you...

[GT-Q]

Originally Posted by Fatmike

What does the 1/2 inch coupler consist of?

Its a 1/2" NPT black pipe coupling. Standard steel pipe coupling. We're planning to use thermometers similar to these:

http://www.grainger.com/product/ASHC...rmometer-2A606

[ag80n]

Originally Posted by Fatmike

Bingo...Answered my question I posted a few days ago. I have the same pit that I was having trouble with airflow having to keep the door open...I'm going to have mine modified...How is it cooking now? Does the other vent help considerably? How big of an opening do you have in the firebox going into the smoking chamber now? The old one like mine is huge...Thanks for posting :)

When I ran it through the calculator the two vents were only providing about 80% of the air needed. Combine that with the cutouts behind the vents not being clean and blocking some of the air and I figure I was getting about 60-70% of the air needed till I opened the door. We had the cutouts opened up to match the existing vents and added the third one and from what GT-Q says it works great now (I have yet to cook on it).

Before the mods I couldn't get it to hold 250 for long and could never get it above 300 but I think GT-Q said he easily got it to 325 and could hold whatever temp he wanted.

[Fatmike]

That is exactly my issue...250 for a short bit and struggled to get her above 225 there after. There I sat holding the door cracked...lol
That's great news..i'm finally excited about this smoker again.
Thank you for all your help!!!!!!

[sliding_billy]

Nice looking mods.

[ButtBurner]

looks good

makes me wonder how much extra the mods to make it breathe correctly would cost him to do.

just seems to me the thing should at least breathe correctly to begin with

the other stuff, I can see not including becasue of cost

[dwfisk]

I think it is great that you have documented the mods to make this style a better cooker. If I recall coreectly there are about three different builders making this style cooker and all have had problems documented on the forum in the last year or so. Glad you have one with the 6" exhaust to start with, that was a serious issue with the earlier units. As you said, on the plus side it is hard to beat the price point and with at least three manufacturers there is likely to be quite a few sold. It is great to have all this info in one place to share with folks so they can hopefully make an informed purchase decision and/or make mods to suit their needs. The overall style has some really appealing design features and I've seen a few other comp teams some with mods, some without managing to turn out some really nice Q. Best of luck.

[SmittyJonz]

FatMike do you have the Bigger exhaust also?

[Fatmike]

Yes I do have the bigger exhaust thank goodness

[DownHomeQue]

nothing but respect for you man. It's great to see someone getting a cheaper rig and improving it to what you want it to be.. adding a little sweat equity in your pit now.. you will be so much prouder when you are cooking on her now.. i for one.. applaud you! I don't have as much respect for people that buy a lower cost rig and just complain about it... (its a lower cost rig for a reason)

[GT-Q]

DownHomeQue, That is a killer build! Wow!

[ag80n]

Originally Posted by DownHomeQue

nothing but respect for you man. It's great to see someone getting a cheaper rig and improving it to what you want it to be.. adding a little sweat equity in your pit now.. you will be so much prouder when you are cooking on her now.. i for one.. applaud you! I don't have as much respect for people that buy a lower cost rig and just complain about it... (its a lower cost rig for a reason)

The sweat part of it goes to others and I am very thankful to have folks around me that are willing to help out for next to nothing. I do need to cook some que for them very soon!

[DownHomeQue]

Originally Posted by GT-Q

DownHomeQue, That is a killer build! Wow!

Thanks!

[Chill Time Q]

Ag80n, Howdy, I'm new to the site, Uncle Sam is done with me after 28 years of service. I have been reading lots on various smokers and my hat is off to you on your Greasy Hill info. I have ordered one of their BR-01's, added rib box and basket. I talked to John and they're going to take your improvements on the firebox and make the improvements when they build mine. He (John) was happy to see your post and the positive way you explained the improvements. I'll post info and pictures once I get mine. I can't wait. Regards, Chill

[ag80n]

Originally Posted by Chill Time Q

Ag80n, Howdy, I'm new to the site, Uncle Sam is done with me after 28 years of service. I have been reading lots on various smokers and my hat is off to you on your Greasy Hill info. I have ordered one of their BR-01's, added rib box and basket. I talked to John and they're going to take your improvements on the firebox and make the improvements when they build mine. He (John) was happy to see your post and the positive way you explained the improvements. I'll post info and pictures once I get mine. I can't wait. Regards, Chill

My hat's off to you for your service!

When I talked to John he seemed like the kind of person that was willing to listen and improve his product. I was pretty sure that if I had wanted to wait on him to build me one he would have made the performance mods himself. I just knew that I could get them done and he had the model I wanted there that day and at a really good price. I understand some of the other things he does to save production costs such as the skip welds. As I said none of those things were structurally problematic.

I wasn't sure if the air flow was really an issue till I got it home and to be honest I think you could run it with two pinwheels most of the time. The third really does help to get it on up to the 300-350 range when you need it. You could crack the door but I think adding the third intake keeps the draft better and allows hotter runs than an open door would.

Two other mods that we did that I forgot to mention were:

1. to seal the sides of the reverse flow plate with some 1 inch strips (decent size gap there on mine)
2. added a ring and bolt to the base of the propane tank holder to help secure it- may not be needed but couldn't hurt

One other thing I am going to do is add an RV level to the tongue. These things work best with a little nose down tilt and I want something there to help me hit the sweet spot each time.

Been doing a burn in it today and it has been holding 250 pretty even across the grate. The draft is very good now. Fueling with splits about 1 every 45 minutes to an hour which is what I expected.

I was actually thinking of contact John to let him know about the things we did because he seemed interested in that kind of info. Looks like I won't have to now.

For what you pay for his cooker, and especially with John doing these mods, you will get a fine cooker at a great price.

I hope everything turns out well for you and yes please post pics.