Char-Griller off-set mods (PrOn)

Gasket · 01-07-2013, 09:12 PM

These are the mods I have done to my Char-Griller Smokin' Pro with side fire box.

outsidecooker.jpg

The first is the spaceship mod, which is just a foil insulation blanket rated for 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

thermgrommet.jpg

This is a water tight electrical cable grommet I put in to run the digital therm probes. This way they're not being pinched by the lid. I found this mod in a thread posted on the Brethren.

openrevflow.jpg

This is a cheap reverse-flow mod I made using dryer vent hose. I attached it to the bottom of the smoke stack then bent it towards the fire box side of the cooker. I attached it to the side of the lid using a screw and a wing nut.

linerbricks.jpg

I lined the bottom and sides of the smoke chamber with HD foil for a cheap gasket. I then put in two red bricks on both the right and left sides to hold up my baffle/heat deflector and maybe add something for thermal mass.

defplatebyfirebox.jpg

Here is a pic of the baffle/heat deflector. I have to drill some holes in it when I get the time (lazy).

baffledefplate.jpg

There is a 2 and 1/2 to 3 inch gap on the left side to allow heat to escape.

revflow.jpg

This is the dryer vent/ cheap reverse flow mod showing the vent at grate level. (sorry for the dark pic.)

carcoalbox.jpg

This is the charcoal basket I made out of some expanded metal i had lying around. It's just bent into shape and held together with some metal wire.

Well, that's pretty much it. I thought I would post some pics for everyone to check out. Sorry for the blurriness of some of them (I have a crappy camera). Any suggestions, or questions, or even criticisms for that matter, are welcome.

Bludawg · 01-07-2013, 09:19 PM

So now it's a RF CG. Mine aint insulated but I cooked a brisket the other day it was 26 when I lit the splits. It came right up to 300 in 20 min. I guess if your burning charcoal you need it. if you have trouble with stale smoke and no heat you might want to rethink the dryer duct thing. I cut the ends out of a Tallboy can and stuffed it in the bottom of the pipe seems to work just fine. I used the CI grates that where in the fire box and flipped the Coal pan over on top or a baffle system. Drilling holes will equalize your temps Mine is dead even any where on the surface. Three linear lines one center and 1 on each side at an equal distance. start the holes 4 In from the FB wall 1//4" and increase the drill size 2 sizes with each set every 4 " up to 1/2" hole size 4 " from the stack side.

Hook_Line_and_Sinker · 01-07-2013, 09:33 PM

Have you noticed any benefits from these mods?

Gasket · 01-07-2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bludawg

So now it's a RF CG. Mine aint insulated but I cooked a brisket the other day it was 26 when I lit the splits. It came right up to 300 in 20 min. I guess if your burning charcoal you need it. if you have trouble with stale smoke and no heat you might want to rethink the dryer duct thing. I cut the ends out of a Tallboy can and stuffed it in the bottom of the pipe seems to work just fine. I used the CI grates that where in the fire box and flipped the Coal pan over on top or a baffle system. Drilling holes will equalize your temps Mine is dead even any where on the surface. Three linear lines one center and 1 on each side at an equal distance. start the holes 4 In from the FB wall 1//4" and increase the drill size 2 sizes with each set every 4 " up to 1/2" hole size 4 " from the stack side.

I usually burn lump and add chunks, but I've been thinking of burning all wood. I think I'll try that on my next cook. Thanks for the suggestions I might give the Tallboy idea a try and I will definitely drill holes in the deflector plate soon. I haven't had a problem with stale air but I have noticed that I have a hard time getting the cooker past 220, especially on colder days. I was hoping the all wood route would fix the no heat problems.

Gasket · 01-07-2013, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hook_Line_and_Sinker

Have you noticed any benefits from these mods?

The benefits I have noticed are there are more even temps left to right on the cooker, and it does hold heat better. The downside is I have a harder time getting the cooker past 220 than I did before.

Bludawg · 01-07-2013, 09:57 PM

The exhaust is pretty restricted with all the twist and turns Fire need to breath. It's like you had a 300 lb linebacker sitting on your chest it would be about the same thing. If the fire cant breath it don't work so well to produce heat because it can't get rid of the smoke backing up. The smoke will displace the O2 in the FB. restricting combustion.

Gasket · 01-07-2013, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bludawg

So now it's a RF CG. Mine aint insulated but I cooked a brisket the other day it was 26 when I lit the splits. It came right up to 300 in 20 min. I guess if your burning charcoal you need it. if you have trouble with stale smoke and no heat you might want to rethink the dryer duct thing. I cut the ends out of a Tallboy can and stuffed it in the bottom of the pipe seems to work just fine. I used the CI grates that where in the fire box and flipped the Coal pan over on top or a baffle system. Drilling holes will equalize your temps Mine is dead even any where on the surface. Three linear lines one center and 1 on each side at an equal distance. start the holes 4 In from the FB wall 1//4" and increase the drill size 2 sizes with each set every 4 " up to 1/2" hole size 4 " from the stack side.

Bludawg, I was wondering does extending the stack down to grate level but leaving it on the original side contribute to losing heat and smoke quicker. The reason I did the reverse flow mod was so the smoke and heat were forced to travel over the food and then out the smoke stack. I figured if I just added the deflector plate and only extended the pipe down to grate level while keeping it on the original side it would force the smoke under and then right out the chimney. what do you think? Also I bought my Char-Griller in 2002 and it didn't come with the CI fire box grates, just a wimpy little charcoal grate.

Bludawg · 01-07-2013, 10:41 PM

Crazy as it sounds it will evac quicker but the heat will be higher because the fire is burning more efficiently. Your right in your RF theory you just engineered it wrong. Move the stack to the fire box side and plug the original hole or buy a stack from CG( their like 15 bucs)and install it on the FB end and don't extend it. if you elect to stay with the 1 stack narrow the RF plate by 2" 4" out from the fire box. Enough heat smoke will escape to eliminate a cold zone in the middle. Keeping it fairly well equalized, If you add the holes in the baffle it will be very stable and responsive to small intake damper changes.

Banjo · 01-07-2013, 10:48 PM

I have the CG outlaw with the sfb. I just ran baffle plates across halfway, sealed the lid with rope insulation, and extended the existing stack to grate level. I get temps dead on from side to side and it comes up to temp quickly. i've cooked from 200-350 on it with no problems. It's still a fuel monster unless you are burning pure stick. The mods made all the difference in the world...and I still bought a WSM.

Banjo · 01-07-2013, 10:49 PM

I love the grommet for the food probes! I'm gonna have to borrow that one

JOMANCHU · 01-07-2013, 11:48 PM

Great ideas. This was my first smoker and I still have it. Do not use due the constant temperatures changes. Will try your mods. Thanks

charrederhead · 01-08-2013, 04:47 PM

Is the blanket foiled on one side only? If so, should that side face the heat? Also, how is it attached to the lid?

Gasket · 01-08-2013, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charrederhead

Is the blanket foiled on one side only? If so, should that side face the heat? Also, how is it attached to the lid?

It is foiled on both sides. It's held on with Duck brand HVAC foil tape. It's rated beyond 400 degrees and does not melt or give off fumes.

VeRTiGo91 · 01-12-2013, 04:28 PM

I just made the charcoal basket yesterday, and your pic looked just like mine, I had to do a double take. Still need screws to hold it together, but I am stoked about the results.

Carolina gamecock · 01-12-2013, 05:46 PM

Rule of thumb on a reverse flow is the opening at the end of the plate should be the same as the opening from firebox to cook chamber.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

01-07-2013, 09:12 PM	#1
Gasket Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-06-12 Location: Nuremburg PA	Char-Griller off-set mods (PrOn) These are the mods I have done to my Char-Griller Smokin' Pro with side fire box. outsidecooker.jpg The first is the spaceship mod, which is just a foil insulation blanket rated for 500 degrees Fahrenheit. thermgrommet.jpg This is a water tight electrical cable grommet I put in to run the digital therm probes. This way they're not being pinched by the lid. I found this mod in a thread posted on the Brethren. openrevflow.jpg This is a cheap reverse-flow mod I made using dryer vent hose. I attached it to the bottom of the smoke stack then bent it towards the fire box side of the cooker. I attached it to the side of the lid using a screw and a wing nut. linerbricks.jpg I lined the bottom and sides of the smoke chamber with HD foil for a cheap gasket. I then put in two red bricks on both the right and left sides to hold up my baffle/heat deflector and maybe add something for thermal mass. defplatebyfirebox.jpg Here is a pic of the baffle/heat deflector. I have to drill some holes in it when I get the time (lazy). baffledefplate.jpg There is a 2 and 1/2 to 3 inch gap on the left side to allow heat to escape. revflow.jpg This is the dryer vent/ cheap reverse flow mod showing the vent at grate level. (sorry for the dark pic.) carcoalbox.jpg This is the charcoal basket I made out of some expanded metal i had lying around. It's just bent into shape and held together with some metal wire. Well, that's pretty much it. I thought I would post some pics for everyone to check out. Sorry for the blurriness of some of them (I have a crappy camera). Any suggestions, or questions, or even criticisms for that matter, are welcome.

01-07-2013, 09:19 PM	#2
Bludawg somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx	So now it's a RF CG. Mine aint insulated but I cooked a brisket the other day it was 26 when I lit the splits. It came right up to 300 in 20 min. I guess if your burning charcoal you need it. if you have trouble with stale smoke and no heat you might want to rethink the dryer duct thing. I cut the ends out of a Tallboy can and stuffed it in the bottom of the pipe seems to work just fine. I used the CI grates that where in the fire box and flipped the Coal pan over on top or a baffle system. Drilling holes will equalize your temps Mine is dead even any where on the surface. Three linear lines one center and 1 on each side at an equal distance. start the holes 4 In from the FB wall 1//4" and increase the drill size 2 sizes with each set every 4 " up to 1/2" hole size 4 " from the stack side. __________________ I'm a Proxy Vegetarian> Cows eat grass & I eat cows.

01-07-2013, 09:33 PM	#3
Hook_Line_and_Sinker is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 03-28-08 Location: Downey, California	Have you noticed any benefits from these mods? __________________ Hook Line and Sinker Viking 30 inch Gravity Fed Charcoal Smoker Brinkmann 5 burner gas grill with sear & rotisserie UDS's 3 and growing Char Griller w/SFB w/mods Orion Cooker Charbroil 7000 Gas Grill

01-07-2013, 09:57 PM	#6
Bludawg somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx	The exhaust is pretty restricted with all the twist and turns Fire need to breath. It's like you had a 300 lb linebacker sitting on your chest it would be about the same thing. If the fire cant breath it don't work so well to produce heat because it can't get rid of the smoke backing up. The smoke will displace the O2 in the FB. restricting combustion. __________________ I'm a Proxy Vegetarian> Cows eat grass & I eat cows.

01-07-2013, 10:41 PM	#8
Bludawg somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx	Crazy as it sounds it will evac quicker but the heat will be higher because the fire is burning more efficiently. Your right in your RF theory you just engineered it wrong. Move the stack to the fire box side and plug the original hole or buy a stack from CG( their like 15 bucs)and install it on the FB end and don't extend it. if you elect to stay with the 1 stack narrow the RF plate by 2" 4" out from the fire box. Enough heat smoke will escape to eliminate a cold zone in the middle. Keeping it fairly well equalized, If you add the holes in the baffle it will be very stable and responsive to small intake damper changes. __________________ I'm a Proxy Vegetarian> Cows eat grass & I eat cows.

01-07-2013, 10:48 PM	#9
Banjo Found some matches. Join Date: 12-22-12 Location: La Mesa, CA	I have the CG outlaw with the sfb. I just ran baffle plates across halfway, sealed the lid with rope insulation, and extended the existing stack to grate level. I get temps dead on from side to side and it comes up to temp quickly. i've cooked from 200-350 on it with no problems. It's still a fuel monster unless you are burning pure stick. The mods made all the difference in the world...and I still bought a WSM. __________________ [SIZE=3][COLOR=red][B]Brandon "Banjo" Santifer[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE] [B][SIZE=3]Banjo's BBQ[/SIZE][/B] WSM 22.5 Chargriller Outlaw w/firebox-modified

01-07-2013, 10:49 PM	#10
Banjo Found some matches. Join Date: 12-22-12 Location: La Mesa, CA	I love the grommet for the food probes! I'm gonna have to borrow that one __________________ [SIZE=3][COLOR=red][B]Brandon "Banjo" Santifer[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE] [B][SIZE=3]Banjo's BBQ[/SIZE][/B] WSM 22.5 Chargriller Outlaw w/firebox-modified

01-07-2013, 11:48 PM	#11
JOMANCHU Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 03-10-12 Location: Spring, TX	Great ideas. This was my first smoker and I still have it. Do not use due the constant temperatures changes. Will try your mods. Thanks

01-08-2013, 04:47 PM	#12
charrederhead Babbling Farker Join Date: 06-29-12 Location: Litchfield County, CT Name/Nickname : Pete	Is the blanket foiled on one side only? If so, should that side face the heat? Also, how is it attached to the lid? __________________ hopelessly, helplessly, happily addicted to a shipload of Webers

01-12-2013, 04:28 PM	#14
VeRTiGo91 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-10-13 Location: Winchester, VA	I just made the charcoal basket yesterday, and your pic looked just like mine, I had to do a double take. Still need screws to hold it together, but I am stoked about the results.

01-12-2013, 05:46 PM	#15
Carolina gamecock On the road to being a farker Join Date: 03-20-12 Location: Lake city. SC	Rule of thumb on a reverse flow is the opening at the end of the plate should be the same as the opening from firebox to cook chamber. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ There's room for all of God's creatures.....next to the potatoes and gravy...