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Converting gas smoker to charcoal????? Help!

biggs98

biggs98

is one Smokin' Farker
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biggs98 said:
Looking to buy this from HD cause I need the room but don't have the $$$$ for a backwoods/spice wine... Its a Smoke Hollow and its $399...Figured I could take the burners out and replace with a charcoal basket and high temp seal the door....Any thoughts??? All input would be helpful and as always appreciated!

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=79677&stc=1&d=1369359844
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You would also have to close off and insulate the bottom as it is open for air supply for the propane burner assembly.

They sell a charcoal unit with almost the same design. I would look into that model and save a lot of work and headaches.
 
Yep, agree with getting a charcoal version and you will still need to make some modifications, but, a lot fewer. I see that Smoke Hollow doesn't make a charcoal smoker. So you will have to make some effort to seal up all of the places air can get in, other than the intake and exhaust openings.
 
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You are highly intelligent and will figure it out.
How do I know. Because you have a BalaaCK Thermapen. Not only are the once you've had black Thermapens the fastest, they reveal the inner scarecrow of brains. Don't let the flying monkeys scare you from your dream of conversion.

All BS aside. Its my experience that tools and machines work best when used as designed and intended.

Another beer please, thanks. :D
 
Why would you spend $400 on a gas smoker just to chop it up? Get a WSM or if you want to use your tools make a UDS. Or buy a Brinkman and modify it.
 
Pretty sure he's looking for capacity, since this Smoke Hollow has nearly Double the cooking area of a WSM or a UDS with 2 racks. Now, even understanding that I'm with these guys and think this unit is going to disappoint. It might be a short term fix but eventually I think you will long for something with better control and heat retention. And then you will be stuck with a piece of equipment that doesn't have a real strong resale value. Even if you build a UDS and dislike it your going to be out about a quarter of the price of this. And you can probably still use some of the parts and use the barrel to burn stuff in. There have been a couple guys who have built double decker UDS's for more capacity. I envision some sort of stacking system, main barrel, then two additional sections that are about 6 inches tall and could stack on top.
 
Chitown_hillbilly said:
Pretty sure he's looking for capacity, since this Smoke Hollow has nearly Double the cooking area of a WSM or a UDS with 2 racks. Now, even understanding that I'm with these guys and think this unit is going to disappoint. It might be a short term fix but eventually I think you will long for something with better control and heat retention. And then you will be stuck with a piece of equipment that doesn't have a real strong resale value. Even if you build a UDS and dislike it your going to be out about a quarter of the price of this. And you can probably still use some of the parts and use the barrel to burn stuff in. There have been a couple guys who have built double decker UDS's for more capacity. I envision some sort of stacking system, main barrel, then two additional sections that are about 6 inches tall and could stack on top.
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why could he not just put more that 2 racks in a UDS? Its got plenty of room in there
 
ButtBurner said:
why could he not just put more that 2 racks in a UDS? Its got plenty of room in there
Click to expand...

Probably do-able, I think I've seen one with 3. 4 seems like they might be getting a little close together or the bottom one is going to be close to the coals. Biggest issue is moving 3 racks around to get to the lowest one can be a PITA, but granted that would be an issue with the stackable UDS idea too. Although I think it would be easier to put one of the stacks down on the patio where setting a rack down can get a little tricky sometimes.
 
Buy a Sheet of Cement board cut a piece to fit the bottom and attach the rest around the outside of the entire smoker including the top add a short piece of chimney and a diffuser to the top of the stack. Paint it what ever color you want. The added insulation of the cement board makes it a Poor mans insulated pit that is quite efficient and east to control.
 
Ya know, I am not sure about the product above but the Onyx Oven by BBQ GURU might fit a little better. I know it is a whole lot more expensive, but the guy who won the 2010 JD invataional used them. It is a cabinet style cooker with reported 14 hour smoke times. Sure it is right about 1000$ before shipping but it holds full sized restaraunt pans.
 
You ill spend more money converting. I would buy a UDS or a WSM. you can use it right off the bat with no mods .
 
I like BullDog... Cement borad. They even sell fire rated stuff. Just keep it dry or else it will turn to dust.
 
Thanks for the input guys... I have 2 UDS's and a stainless build in progress and don't get me wrong I LOVE the UDS....I'm just looking for the cooking capacity of a Backwoods/Spicewine but just not able to swing the cost for one right now.....Plus I kinda have a crush in the vertical smokers right now:icon_blush: Thought this might be a quicker option than fabricating a couple drums(working 6 days a week 10-12 hr days makes it a little tough)...decisions decisions??
 
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