New $500 Budget Starter Offset

doubt3 · Oct 7, 2015

I have enjoyed cooking on my kamado but wanted to try an offset smoker. I wanted to stay around $500 and hopefully have it last 4-5 years at which point my youngest will be out of college and then I would be willing to spend several thousand (if I enjoy this type of smoker). From reading several threads, I knew I wanted to make some mods from the start so I decided on the smaller (18") Oklahoma Joe Highland. I found it at Lowes for 10% off a couple of weeks ago, so I paid $293 with tax. I ordered a baffle plate for $90 and a coal basket for $74. The nomex tape (1/2 " and 1"), aluminum vent, aluminum tape, and RTV cost $53. My total was $510 until I remembered I needed a cover which I found for $36. Grand total: $546. The wife was happy I was within 10% over budget.

MAB52 · Oct 7, 2015

Congratulations, that is a nice looking offset.

WhitesideJC · Oct 7, 2015

Congrats! Looking forward to hearing how it pans out for you - I'm itching to find an offset myself...

doubt3 · Oct 7, 2015

Mod pics:

1" nomex tape between fire box halves:

1" nomex tape between fire box and smoke chamber:

Nomex sealing all of the bolt holes:

Aluminum tape on the smokestack for a snugger fit:

Vent to lower smokestack intake sealed with RTV:

1/2" nomex tape on smoke chamber lid as well as fire box lid:

Baffle plate installed:

Coal box doesn't arrive until tomorrow.

ButtBurner · Oct 7, 2015

looks good

On my OK longhorn, I found that it drafted better without the vent ducting.

Stale air builds up in the upper part of the chamber and has no place to exit

longhair75 · Oct 7, 2015

I bought a OK Joe Longhorn a few weeks ago and also modded it a bit. It has been great.

MAB52 · Oct 7, 2015

Woody Butthrie · Oct 7, 2015

Good looking smoker. Can't wait to see pics from the first cook.

doubt3 · Oct 7, 2015

Woody Butthrie said:
Good looking smoker. Can't wait to see pics from the first cook.

Depending on weather, first cook should be this Sunday.

Bludawg · Oct 7, 2015

JM2C Loose the stack extension & the coal basket so the pit can breath or your gonna be fightin & cussin it. Burn all wood. Good luck.

Grimm5577 · Oct 7, 2015

those plates are nice, wonder if they would fit a Brinkmann trail master... I use cookie sheets now.

doubt3 · Oct 7, 2015

Grimm5577 said:
those plates are nice, wonder if they would fit a Brinkmann trail master... I use cookie sheets now.

They have several plates available for specific smokers and I recall seeing Brinkmann listed. Came from bbqsmokermods.com.

ButtBurner · Oct 7, 2015

Bludawg said:
JM2C Loose the stack extension & the coal basket so the pit can breath or your gonna be fightin & cussin it. Burn all wood. Good luck.

agreed

I made a coal basket but ended up using it on another pit as it did not work well on my OK Joe

16Adams · Oct 7, 2015

I recently sold my offset. Patio no longer screams Texas Q. Sad- but it went to a better place

SmittyJonz · Oct 7, 2015

I'd of saved the $74 and whatever the exhaust ext cost.............

allboy · Oct 7, 2015

Crazy talk here......but you would think the manufactures would want to send these out ready to go without having to do a bunch of mods. I guess you gave to spend $1,500.00 and up to get a turn key smoker.

ButtBurner · Oct 7, 2015

allboy said:
Crazy talk here......but you would think the manufactures would want to send these out ready to go without having to do a bunch of mods. I guess you gave to spend $1,500.00 and up to get a turn key smoker.

you can use it the way it comes

I did for quite a while. it worked fine

just wanted to make it better

all I did to mine was add tuning plates, not all that other stuff

htrisna · Oct 7, 2015

On my Chargriller outlaw, the stack extension works wonderfully and my pit still drafts well.
So, I'd say try it and see if it works for you.

Nice clean work!

allboy · Oct 7, 2015

ButtBurner said:
you can use it the way it comes

I did for quite a while. it worked fine

just wanted to make it better

all I did to mine was add tuning plates, not all that other stuff

I guess my point was that they should seal these better for what they are pricing these at. $300-500 dollars isn't chump change for most of us.

churrodog · Oct 7, 2015

A few short months ago I would not have found myself so envious of this shiny new offset, but here we are. Looks like it will be a blast to cook on.

New $500 Budget Starter Offset

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