Charcoal baskets for offsets

[Smokin' Gnome BBQ]

Has anyone used a charcoal "basket" in an offset? What type of burn time do you get? What fuel do you use? Where do I buy one/ have one made so I can sleep at comps??THANKS!!!!!:!:

 

[PimpSmoke]

I made a basket for my SKD using a piece of curved grate from a plastic extruder and welded some rebar legs on it. It gives me WAY better burn times an an even temp over time, but even with the minion method I still have to add fuel every 3 to 4 hours to keep temp. The important thing I think, is keeping the fire off of the firebox floor, for air flow.


That being said, everyone knows SKD's are fuel hogs, so, YMMV.

 

[PimpSmoke]

I think Jay makes them, if you ask nice he may do a custom jobby for you.





That would be Spicewine. Sorry.

 

[MilitantSquatter]

I'm sure you'll get many good responses, but don't forget that there's tons of info on charcoal baskets for offsets in the archives.. I recall seeing lots of pictures and threads.

Time permitting, try a search for "Charcoal basket" using the search function to get some more insight..

 

[Smokin' Gnome BBQ]

I am not trying to offend, but who is Jay and If I say PRETTY PLEASE!!!will it help..I just want to sleep, is that wrong??

 

[Yakfishingfool]

I use one in my BYC. get four to six hours on a good day. Load with coal and lumps of wood. Scott

 

[PimpSmoke]

Just remember Spice's work is in high demand, and his time is very valuable.

 

[LostNation]

I use one in my Lang cooker. This is off my web site.

On the back end we had a 18x18x9 inch basket made that goes in the firebox. After a couple years this basket bottom burned out so we had to rebuild it. We cut it down a couple inches and made a bottom of 1" angle steel. The ash can still drop out over the angle and it should last a long time. We removed the fire grate in the cooker and put legs on the basket to allow more air flow. I think it’s important to allow enough space around the basket for the air and this basket allows 3" of air space all around the firebox. When we light the fire, we put in 20-30 pounds of Kingsford charcoal. This is one bag and whatever we have left over from a previous cook. Also in the basket goes 3-4 knotty, crotch pieces of hardwood ( we like cherry) that people who have wood stove call all nighters. After the fire gets fully lit, we clean the grates and close down the dampers to about 5% open. With good weather conditions the pit may still hold steady at around 250°. ( the sweet temperature for our pit) for 6-8 hours. If it’s cold or windy you may have to tend the fire with 2 logs every 2 hours and a good shake of the basket. Kingsford seems to work best with the heavy ash, it naturally dampers down the big fire.

Since I wrote that we use the basket differently. I cut and chop small pieces of oak up (around 1" X 5") and mix with the charcoal. This is the base for the coal bed that keeps the pit hot. There are more pictures on my web site.

 

[thillin]

I've got 8 good hours from my Klose basket in my 20x48.

 

[PimpSmoke]

I don't know....maybe I was thinking of Dave when I advised Jay. I don't know....see my sig.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

Klose has them in stock, standard and stainless available.

I get 5 plus hours no problem on my 24"X72"...

 

[C Rocke]

Have a Klose type for my big offset - 24" x 18" courtesy of Bentley. I use lump and hickory chunk, and get 6 hours at about 230 consistently.

 

[Porky]

I use one in my Bar B Chef that I made out of corrugated steel that I picked up at Home Depot. I bent it into shape and now I get 4-5 hours of steady burn at 230-250. I also use the Minion Method using lump charcoal. Make sur that the bottom is elevated off the floor of the fire box so the ash has a place to go and you get good air flow. I hope this helps a little.

 

[Smokin' Gnome BBQ]

what about refueling? how do you keeep your temp constant, with out a massive flareup????please advise as I think this is my answer at a comp to "did you sleep" and change my answer from no, to YES!!!!

thanks..

 

[smokin'fool]

I did the same thing as Porky in my charbroil offset.
I get about 4 hours of steady 220 to 250 temps.
To refuel I just pull the basket out shake it into a metal trash can, reload the basket, sweep out as much as ash as possible and away I go.
It takes me about 10 minutes to refuel and not much heat loss.
I do not get a heat spike when I refuel.

 

[chibi]

When I add fuel I first push the coals to the front side closest to the smoke chamber. Then put the new charcoal in.(unlit) The fire works its way back. No problems. Will have a small drop in temp(10-15 degrees) for 5-10 min. Then back to normal.

 

[nthole]

I get 6 - 7 hours from mine in my 'Dera. Two solid sides, with two expanded metal sides and and expanded metal bottom.

Call a weld shop near you, could probably get one made for not too much from HD material and a local welder.