Bandera problems

MAT5243 · 11-23-2012, 12:19 PM

Smoked thanksgiving turkey yesterday in my BANDERA. Had no trouble keeping temp control. But i blew through a whole bag of Kingston blue in about three hours. Is this normal in the BANDERA? How can i slow this down?

grantw · 11-23-2012, 12:24 PM

If the temp was ok in the smoker chamber, it probably wasn't in the fire box, I'm guessing your fire box was running full throttle due to an air leak in the box area

MAT5243 · 11-23-2012, 12:46 PM

I got this smoker for free and it needs some work. I plan on sealing a few spots that need it and add a charcoal basket. Should this help or is there more i can do as far as how i operate it.

Bludawg · 11-23-2012, 12:56 PM

Easy Burn Wood not Charcoal

MAT5243 · 11-23-2012, 12:59 PM

Is wood easier to control?

MisterChrister · 11-23-2012, 01:01 PM

Banderas are known as fuel hogs. But the same issue that is problematic for hot cooks (firebox shedding alot of heat that doesn't get through the food cabinet) also makes them great cold smokers for bacon, fish, cheese etc. If you ever go to a different smoker like a WSM as many Bandera owners did, hang on to it for cold smokes. They DO cook good Q, just require more fuel, fine tuning, babysitting than WSMs, UDSs etc.

pitbossJB · 11-23-2012, 01:04 PM

Bandera's lose a lot of heat out of the lid to the fire box and through the sides and bottom of the firebox. I lined mine with thin fire brick and sealed off the lid with a 1/2" plate of steel, it doesn't have to be that thick, but I'm using mine as a griddle. That fixed the problem.

MAT5243 · 11-23-2012, 01:20 PM

Thanks this helps and gives me something to start with.

11-23-2012, 12:19 PM	#1
MAT5243 Found some matches. Join Date: 11-17-12 Location: FT Lewis Washington Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Bandera problems Smoked thanksgiving turkey yesterday in my BANDERA. Had no trouble keeping temp control. But i blew through a whole bag of Kingston blue in about three hours. Is this normal in the BANDERA? How can i slow this down?

11-23-2012, 12:56 PM	#4
Bludawg Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Easy Burn Wood not Charcoal __________________ I never met a Cow that I didn't like with a little Salt & Pepper! Certified PORK-A-HOLIC

11-23-2012, 01:01 PM	#6
MisterChrister is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-28-12 Location: Richland Center, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Banderas are known as fuel hogs. But the same issue that is problematic for hot cooks (firebox shedding alot of heat that doesn't get through the food cabinet) also makes them great cold smokers for bacon, fish, cheese etc. If you ever go to a different smoker like a WSM as many Bandera owners did, hang on to it for cold smokes. They DO cook good Q, just require more fuel, fine tuning, babysitting than WSMs, UDSs etc. __________________ Kettleheads Anonymous Platinum Member

11-23-2012, 01:04 PM	#7
pitbossJB Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-05-09 Location: Albuquerque,N.M. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Bandera's lose a lot of heat out of the lid to the fire box and through the sides and bottom of the firebox. I lined mine with thin fire brick and sealed off the lid with a 1/2" plate of steel, it doesn't have to be that thick, but I'm using mine as a griddle. That fixed the problem. __________________ "It's all done with smoke and mirrors..............I think I like smoke the best" UDS Highly modified Bandera w/ griddle on firebox Mini SJ/UDS Smokey Joe's

11-23-2012, 12:24 PM	#2
grantw Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-13-12 Location: canada Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	If the temp was ok in the smoker chamber, it probably wasn't in the fire box, I'm guessing your fire box was running full throttle due to an air leak in the box area

11-23-2012, 12:46 PM	#3
MAT5243 Found some matches. Join Date: 11-17-12 Location: FT Lewis Washington Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I got this smoker for free and it needs some work. I plan on sealing a few spots that need it and add a charcoal basket. Should this help or is there more i can do as far as how i operate it.

11-23-2012, 12:59 PM	#5
MAT5243 Found some matches. Join Date: 11-17-12 Location: FT Lewis Washington Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Is wood easier to control?

11-23-2012, 01:20 PM	#8
MAT5243 Found some matches. Join Date: 11-17-12 Location: FT Lewis Washington Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks this helps and gives me something to start with.