"T plates" for charcoal basket?

[spauld]

I see a lot of charcoal baskets on the market but I don't see where a person can purchase those little steel T shaped diverter plates that go inside them. I'm new to this process of using a charcoal basket, so perhaps they are not needed? I thought the whole idea of using a charcoal basket was to slow down and extend the burn time, hence the use of those little plates to force the burn to wind around a bit, rather than just catching the whole basket of coal on fire. What am I missing here? Anyone have any info on this for a newby? THANKS.

PS- just got rid of my old COS and purchased a new Yoder stick burner. Won't get here until mid June, but trying to get caught up on the smoking culture/proper procedures, etc. before it arrives. Would love to hit the ground running!

 

[Bludawg]

Charcoal basket in a "stick" burner:twitch::tsk: The word "stick" should tell you all you need to know as to the proper fuel.

 

[pjtexas1]

While it can be done stick burners use splits for fuel. If you really want to run it on charcoal you can use firebricks for the maze instead of metal plates. Just be prepared to burn thru a ton of charcoal.

 

[Joe Black]

I use a basket in my FB for the sole purpose of keeping my coal bed together. It doesn't give me any emotional problems when I put a couple of splits in the basket.

 

[spauld]

Ok...sorry, maybe I am not using a "stick burner". I ordered a Yoder Wichita side box smoker. I've read that many folks are using charcoal, charcoal baskets (and sometimes these little 'T' baffles) to achieve longer burn times.... In conjunction with using "sticks" or "splits" of wood, of course. So this is why I was inquiring. Anyone know where I can buy a couple of those t baffles???

 

[pjtexas1]

they would need to be custom made to fit the dimensions of your charcoal basket. you can find a local welder to build them for you. i find it much easier to buy the aluminum sheet metal in 6" height at Home Depot and cut/bend to fit my firebaskets. aluminum is soft but can take the heat very well. this way you can test different maze sizes and see what works best.

 

[spauld]

Thanks pjtexas1, that's actually a great idea. If I decide to stick with this method (I read somewhere that it is called the "Minion Method"), then maybe I could have something welded up after I've determined the proper "fit" for my basket. Sheet aluminum is pretty cheap and easy to cut/bend by hand too.
I appreciate the info!

 

[Faston]

I doubt you can get sufficient heat with the Minion method and charcoal. I just use charcoal to get my sticks started in my offset. It would take an incredible amount of charcoal to keep my offset to temp. Think sticks! :grin:

 

[Westx]

Spauld you can even get some thin steel plate at HD and bend them in to shape and wouldn't have to have them welded. Take a look here http://www.lonestargrillz.com/Insulated-Smokers.html to get an ideal of how one company makes theirs. I used the metal from HD to make a divider for my coal basket on my PBC by cutting to height with a jig saw and bending part of it into a U shape to hang over the handle of the basket. If you have a vice or know someone that has one you can make some like those from Lone Star no problem.

 

[Bludawg]

A 1/4 " pit will never get hot enough on the Minion method unless your Fire box is 3X the size of the oven and your fire is scaled accordingly. Like I said above the word Stick combined with Burner tells you all you need to know.

 

[spauld]

OK, I like the steel plate idea from HD too, thanks for that Westx.

The other points regarding this not working with my offset are points well taken. I appreciate the info folks...just a newby here trying to learn how all this works. Not sure why all this info is floating around out there on the Minion method then, it sounded like a great idea...and it sounds like it's working for some folks.... But of course, I love building wood fires, so using sticks only is ok too, if that is what it comes down to.

Looking forward to taking delivery of my new Yoder Wichita, so I can actually put all of this to a test.

 

[KevinJ]

Your pit is a stick burner, wood provides more BTU's than charcoal, you can use charcoal to help build your coal bed but after that you need to feed the beast splits, using charcoal is like forcing a square peg through a round hole.

 

[Smokey Lonesome]

Do yourself a favor and check out T-Roy's site or YouTube video on fire management on a Yoder Wichita.

 

[effinUker]

OK, I like the steel plate idea from HD too, thanks for that Westx.

The other points regarding this not working with my offset are points well taken. I appreciate the info folks...just a newby here trying to learn how all this works. Not sure why all this info is floating around out there on the Minion method then, it sounded like a great idea...and it sounds like it's working for some folks.... But of course, I love building wood fires, so using sticks only is ok too, if that is what it comes down to.

Looking forward to taking delivery of my new Yoder Wichita, so I can actually put all of this to a test.

That's for a WSM or UDS.

 

[spauld]

Now I get it, thanks!

EffinUker, THANK YOU. Now I see the problem. Every "minion method" tutorial I read never indicated it was limited to certain types of smokers. Even the owner of my local bbq shop suggested it would work with a stick burner. No problem, doesn't sound like I'll need to do this anyway. I did stumble upon that T-Roy video on YouTube last night. Very informative and nicely done how to's on using the Yoder Wichita.