New $500 Budget Starter Offset

doubt3 · 10-07-2015, 08:54 AM

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 · 10-07-2015, 09:01 AM

Congratulations, that is a nice looking offset.

WhitesideJC · 10-07-2015, 09:06 AM

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

doubt3 · 10-07-2015, 09:09 AM

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 · 10-07-2015, 09:14 AM

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 · 10-07-2015, 09:32 AM

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

MAB52 · 10-07-2015, 09:37 AM

Woody Butthrie · 10-07-2015, 09:40 AM

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

doubt3 · 10-07-2015, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woody Butthrie

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

Depending on weather, first cook should be this Sunday.

Bludawg · 10-07-2015, 09:47 AM

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 · 10-07-2015, 09:48 AM

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

doubt3 · 10-07-2015, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm5577

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 · 10-07-2015, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bludawg

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 · 10-07-2015, 09:58 AM

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

SmittyJonz · 10-07-2015, 10:26 AM

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

10-07-2015, 08:54 AM	#1
doubt3 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-18-15 Location: Baton Rouge, LA	New $500 Budget Starter Offset 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. __________________ Recteq RT-700 Bull & RT-B380 Bullseye, Grill Dome Large Kamado, Weber Kettle 22 copper, Blackstone 30", [COLOR="DarkOrchid"]LSU Purple[/COLOR] Thermapen MK4, Shirley 24x42 patio model - sold

10-07-2015, 09:01 AM	#2
MAB52 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-04-08 Location: Sweet Home, OR	Congratulations, that is a nice looking offset. __________________ Mike, Traeger "Lil Tex" Pellet Smoker Uniflame Charcoal Grill Weber 22.5"

10-07-2015, 09:06 AM	#3
WhitesideJC Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-15-14 Location: Raleigh, NC	Congrats! Looking forward to hearing how it pans out for you - I'm itching to find an offset myself... __________________ Food has power. It can inspire, astonish, shock, excite, delight, and impress. L BGE // Cinder Block Pit // Shirley 24 x 36 Patio

10-07-2015, 09:09 AM	#4
doubt3 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-18-15 Location: Baton Rouge, LA	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. __________________ Recteq RT-700 Bull & RT-B380 Bullseye, Grill Dome Large Kamado, Weber Kettle 22 copper, Blackstone 30", [COLOR="DarkOrchid"]LSU Purple[/COLOR] Thermapen MK4, Shirley 24x42 patio model - sold

10-07-2015, 09:14 AM	#5
ButtBurner Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-18-12 Location: Dearborn Mi, Manton Mi	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 __________________ Michigan Custom 'Que "Serving Those Who Have Served US" Shirley Fabrication Custom Smoker Member Great Lakes BBQ Assn ServSafe Food Handler Certified [URL]https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan-Custom-Que/327994370697180?sk=timeline[/URL]

10-07-2015, 09:32 AM	#6
longhair75 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-30-15 Location: Omaha	I bought a OK Joe Longhorn a few weeks ago and also modded it a bit. It has been great. __________________ Peter [B]Laeti vescimur nos subacturis[/B] Cooking with an Oklahoma Joe Longhorn, a Copper Weber Performer Premium and 17" Blackstone portable griddle.

10-07-2015, 09:37 AM	#7
MAB52 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 05-04-08 Location: Sweet Home, OR	__________________ Mike, Traeger "Lil Tex" Pellet Smoker Uniflame Charcoal Grill Weber 22.5"

10-07-2015, 09:40 AM	#8
Woody Butthrie Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 08-12-15 Location: Jamestown, NC	Good looking smoker. Can't wait to see pics from the first cook. __________________ OKJ/NBBD, Vision Classic B, 1975 Weber, Masterbuilt portable, Blackstone 36, Chargriller gasser

10-07-2015, 09:47 AM	#10
Bludawg somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-04-09 Location: Jonesboro,Tx	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. __________________ I'm a Proxy Vegetarian> Cows eat grass & I eat cows.

10-07-2015, 09:48 AM	#11
Grimm5577 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-09-12 Location: Bucks County, PA	those plates are nice, wonder if they would fit a Brinkmann trail master... I use cookie sheets now.

10-07-2015, 09:58 AM	#14
16Adams somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 01-16-13 Location: USA	I recently sold my offset. Patio no longer screams Texas Q. Sad- but it went to a better place __________________ Tiernan SOB34, Primo Oval XL, Oklahoma Joe's Bronco, Oklahoma Joe's Highland, Pit Boss Austin XL, Pit Boss Table Top

10-07-2015, 10:26 AM	#15
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	I'd of saved the $74 and whatever the exhaust ext cost............. __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............