New OKJ RF Modifications

[Back9Q]

Wrapping up some additional mods on RF smoker. Go easy on my weld skills as I have a ironton 125 flux that runs on AC. Will be upgrading before I start on my Outlaw Patio Clone

Mods
Standard gasket on CC door with latches
Lavalock RF plate
Lavalock waterpan modified run length of cook chamber
Extended smoke stack
Reinforced FB/CC opening with 1/2” steel and angle to prevent sagging
Smily face probe port on side
Yoder door installed on side
2” insulated firebox with 55gal drum shell
Doubled size of yoder door damper on bottom and sealed up top top damper door
Line bottom of FB with 1/4” steel

Still need to do
1” SS drain pipe with ball valve
Gasket on firebox door
V shaped charcoal basket
Weld up small gap between cook chamber and drum(was PIA getting installed and couldnt push on any more)
Seal up backside so no insulation exposed
Add cool touch handles on damper and door latch
Build new door latch

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cookb4]

That looks like a fun project. I will be interested in hearing how it preforms when your done.

 

[pjtexas1]

Subscribed. Looking forward to hearing how she runs.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[CaptainQ]

Very cool mods. Great job!

 

[Moose]

That's a pretty impressive start - very interested in seeing how this unfolds!

 

[Smoke on Badger Mountain]

Love the work you’ve done so far. Looking forward to seeing it finished after cooking.

 

[Back9Q]

Got a little more work done during kids nap today. Got latch installed in FB door and cool touch handle on damper. Also sealed up small gap on top between drum and CC as it wouldnt go on all way

Should I be concerned with small gap between original firebox and drum? Any downside to heat and possible smoke getting to where insulation is? I am unable to get inside to weld this area (see photo with finger to show you are and photo after of gap

This is small gap that wasnt present on test fit. Thickness of insulation cause it to shift. Prob put some 1/8” flat bar in here

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jzadski]

Wow that's quite the mods you got going on. Can't wait to see the final results as well as cooks off of it

 

[Back9Q]

Ordered the 60lb hog today and picking up next Sat. Need to get everything finished this week to do a few test cooks

Only thing need figure out is sealing up gaps on inside of FB indicated in photos above. I have spare tube of red high heat RTV I can use to fill gaps. Any negative side effects of doing this?

Also anyone recommend good width for V shaped charcoal basket. I was thinking 5 inches at base and 10-12” at top. Probably 12-14” long. While the cooker was stocked I had hard time keeping coal base. It would either be too big and temps be around 300 or die out and temps drop to 210ish. Want to keep them consolidated with mini split on top to keep them goinf


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rovster]

Holy crap now that is a modification! Sweet project…

 

[Zak]

If it were me, i'd never put silicone sealer in the firebox where temps could/will get to the point that the silicone could start breaking down and outgas thus push chemicals right through the smoker and on the meat you're cooking. I'd also put firebricks on the bottom of the firebox as opposed to those 1" steel strips.

 

[Back9Q]

Any downside to leaving the top smaller gap open? I can seal up gap on bottom with metal pieces but I cant get a welder inside and seal op the gap at top of FB

 

[Zak]

Probably not since the draft will pull smoke/heat into the smoker itself. For all the work you're putting into an insulated FB, you probably wont get enough benefit for what you're investing. I run all my smokers without insulation in MA here even in the cold winters. Sure it uses a little more fuel but it's not worth it to me to insulate.

 

[Back9Q]

Havent really invested much into it all. I grew up in midwest as well and have cooked on 3/8” smokers and 1/8” smoker and I know insulation is a huge benefit on thinner metal which is what OkJ is made out of. If I had a 3/8” thick firebox and lived in Florida which I do I wouldnt bother with it as its not needed

Finished up last few pieces today and will test tomorrow. My predictions are better draw and within 10f left to right. Also wont lose coal bed rapidly causing 40f temp drops. My other guess is Ill prob be able to go 30min per split instead of the 10min now

Worth the $300 or so investment


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Back9Q]

Able to get it fired up this morning. Still few pieces finish up but wanted to see how she performed. Once coal bed established she settled in 250-270 with 15f difference left to right. Still playing with FB and Exhaust dampers. Also I am able to maintain a good coal bed unlike before and splits are going 40-45min instead of every 10min like before

Extremely pleased with results. Now need to figure out how put 60lb hog on it next weekend




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk