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View Full Version : Charcoal Baskets: Worth it or Not


Sunseeker13
01-07-2016, 11:44 PM
Hello all. I am wondering if there is a noticeable difference between having a charcoal box in the off set firebox or not. Also, would it be better to be flat on the bottom or slightly raised so that the ash has more room to fall through? I am considering purchasing an Oklahoma Joe smoker and adding the diffuser plate. I am trying to decide if the box is a worthwhile investment as well.

davefan360
01-07-2016, 11:52 PM
yes its worth it, raise it up so the ash falls down and does not choke out the fire.

blazinfire
01-08-2016, 12:28 AM
With a charcoal basket Do you still burn with mostly wood? After you start your initial fire? I was considering this, That way I can try to concentrate my coals into the box. I have a rough time keeping a coal bed currently. Since I have a WSM and it runs like a champ in the cold weather, I probably won't be firing the stick burner up til warmer weather comes around and the wood I have dry's out a bit!

SmittyJonz
01-08-2016, 12:45 AM
No BASKET. offsets are called stick manners for a reason you need to burn firewood in them on a raised grate 3 to 4 inches off the bottom of the firebox -no basket -only a chimney full of charcoal at startup

SmittyJonz
01-08-2016, 12:46 AM
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=209208


http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3294755

Calibbq
01-08-2016, 12:48 AM
I would say absolutely a benefit, you can always pull it out and not use it. I have the OKJ Highland and raised the FB rack 3 inches and set my box on top. Great for long burns using minion method.

FireChief
01-08-2016, 04:30 PM
For me I would say has not been any benefit when I have used one. I would start with a mixture of charcoal and splits then splits the rest of the way. Found it hard to keep temps up where I wanted them. Charcoal basket may be too small though so that's probably part of the issue.

As far as using one to run pure charcoal with wood chunks or to do minion method, no way. Agree 100% with SmittyJonz. Offsets crave wood, that's how they are designed to run. Might be more doable on a small offset not not efficient at least on mine.

THoey1963
01-08-2016, 04:39 PM
I bought one for my LSG and never tried it out. I wanted to master stick burning before trying it. I have heard they are not very efficient...

jwtseng
01-08-2016, 05:42 PM
I got a charcoal basket off ebay for my stickburner. Very heavy duty and reasonably priced (I paid like $100 shipped for a 11.5x18x9). The guy made it to my specs basically so it would fit through my firebox door.

I find that it helps to corral the wood splits while they burn and also keeps most of the burning embers from spreading around and falling off the firebox grate into the bottom of the firebox. If you like starting your stickburner with a bed of charcoal before switching to burning sticks, a box will also help to keep the charcoal together.

I would not recommend trying to run a stickburner solely on charcoal in a box or otherwise. Doesn't seem like that would be a very efficient use of charcoal. Also, minion method probably wouldn't work out too well in a stickburner either because you really need a draft to cook with, and all your charcoal would most likely light at once.

But pound for pound (the box I got probably weighs about 40 pounds), one of the best accessories I have spent my money on for my stickburner.

ButtBurner
01-08-2016, 06:24 PM
no

I had the same exact smoker

just take the charcoal grates out of the smoke chamber, lay 2 cross wise in the firebox to form a grid

this will keep a nice coal bed intact and keep your wallet intact as well

buy a few nice briskets with the savings.

Sunseeker13
01-08-2016, 06:42 PM
Thank you all for the responses and input. Seems like the jury is divided. I haven't used one thus far and will consider everyone's input. Thanks again. I am looking forward to the briskets. :)

ClintHTX
01-08-2016, 06:46 PM
I don't have a basket. My stick burner is set up exactly like franklins. I build a fire open the door and let her breath. No need for a basket nor a damper. Sometimes simple is better.

Bludawg
01-08-2016, 07:00 PM
you don't need basket an you should be burning splits if you want to burn charcoal get WSM.

htrisna
01-08-2016, 08:24 PM
And then there's this ...
My mod to my COS.
http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii530/htrisna/bbq/fa20bd7607ea6df5af8352aa788e1d8d.jpg (http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/htrisna/media/bbq/fa20bd7607ea6df5af8352aa788e1d8d.jpg.html)

http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii530/htrisna/bbq/cc46992f0fd448f4396d9ef115adcd74.jpg (http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/htrisna/media/bbq/cc46992f0fd448f4396d9ef115adcd74.jpg.html)

http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii530/htrisna/bbq/40698a2ed9b1b421e230d9fd350d9869.jpg (http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/htrisna/media/bbq/40698a2ed9b1b421e230d9fd350d9869.jpg.html)

It gives me 3 hours of rock steady and sleep if I need it.

http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii530/htrisna/bbq/57491df469bf4f6663a98bfb24eeaacd.jpg (http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/htrisna/media/bbq/57491df469bf4f6663a98bfb24eeaacd.jpg.html)

Doog
01-08-2016, 09:13 PM
On my Longhorn I never used a charcoal basket. I just did pretty much what Butt Burner did. I did make a grate out of angle iron which is about 3" off the bottom. And I just burn splits, wood is free. But there is the labor of cutting and splitting it.

Htrisna that is a pretty neat setup! Planning it and building it was probably a lot of fun.

BBQ Freak
01-08-2016, 10:10 PM
I used a charcoal basket in my old cheap Brinkman but never used it for charcoal but I put small split wood in it and it kept the coals and the fire more in one spot to keep a good bed of coals from the wood .

BBQ Freak
01-09-2016, 12:13 PM
And then there's this ...
My mod to my COS.
http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii530/htrisna/bbq/fa20bd7607ea6df5af8352aa788e1d8d.jpg (http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/htrisna/media/bbq/fa20bd7607ea6df5af8352aa788e1d8d.jpg.html)

http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii530/htrisna/bbq/cc46992f0fd448f4396d9ef115adcd74.jpg (http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/htrisna/media/bbq/cc46992f0fd448f4396d9ef115adcd74.jpg.html)

http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii530/htrisna/bbq/40698a2ed9b1b421e230d9fd350d9869.jpg (http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/htrisna/media/bbq/40698a2ed9b1b421e230d9fd350d9869.jpg.html)

It gives me 3 hours of rock steady and sleep if I need it.

http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii530/htrisna/bbq/57491df469bf4f6663a98bfb24eeaacd.jpg (http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/htrisna/media/bbq/57491df469bf4f6663a98bfb24eeaacd.jpg.html)

my buddy did this on his Lang but put a metal dog bowl over the pin wheel vent and worked out great .