My new to me offset

[jsperk]

I figured I open a new thread for my pics.

I had a lot fun for the first time using an offset. Now it's definitely not the best pit. The welds are sloppy, it does leak out the door. I think cause the lip where the door meets the pit. I tried getting a couple pics of smoke leak.

I was running around 300 to 375 due to inexperience and bad wood.

The ribs were real good. More smoke flavor than I'm used to getting and it wasn't bad smoke even with the thick stuff I had rolling for a bit.

I wanted a Shirley pit but knew that wasn't in the works for now. So even though this one leaks and has sloppy welds I think it was still worth $300. It is 1/4 steel. Hopefully someday I will get a S.F. pit.

Smoke ring was better than pic shows. Not that it matters anyways I guess.

I can't wait to do a brisket.

 

[rookiedad]

congratulations!!! ribs look great!!! that pit has character!!!

 

[Smokin Ribs]

nice lookin pit! ribs too

 

[jsperk]

congratulations!!! ribs look great!!! that pit has character!!!

Character, I like that. It was this or the Oklahoma Joe Highlander at Walmart.

I think I want to make a firebox. I don't like that charcoal tray.
I don't know how big a the firebox chamber is supposed to be but this thing seems to big.

 

[ssv3]

Congrats on the pit.1/4" steel 'nuff said.:grin:

 

[Rusty Kettle]

Dude that thing is awesome. I like it and for 300 too. Even if it is a bit sloppy I beg with a bit of elbow grease you can make that pit awesome.

 

[HuskerMan]

Nice lookin pit and food. I do agree on getting a different firebox grate in there tho.

 

[jsperk]

Dude that thing is awesome. I like it and for 300 too. Even if it is a bit sloppy I beg with a bit of elbow grease you can make that pit awesome.

He had a smaller one also on trailer and a warming box. It was a thinner. He will be selling that and building a few more. He said he wasn't happy with the welds on this one.

I see your in Butler Pa. He is in Apollo Pa. He was like 15 minutes from me. I'm out in Leechburg Pa.

 

[rdstoll]

That's a great pit! As for the welds I actually saw some heat resistant felt strips that you can stick around the door. Think it was at Home Depot. Might be an imperfect but decent fix for the time being. For $300 that bad boy is a steal.

 

[BigBobBQ]

Looks good, I bet with a little work and a few mods that could be turned into a great pit.

 

[FireChief]

Agree. Don't care how "imperfect" it is, it's 1/4" pipe so it's gonna retain heat well even with a few leaks. Before you do anything else, I would definitely get a much bigger charcoal grate. Should help with air flow so you can start fine tuning. Congrats and have fun !

 

[ButtBurner]

I think its a fine pit!!

Yeah, I would do something about that fire grate. Make one thats wider so it sits up higher and gives you more surface area to work with and provides batter airflow underneath the fire

Also be careful with that firebox to chamber opening. Looks like grease may be able to drain from the chamber in to the firebox and possible cause a fire Maybe block off the bottom somehow to prevent that. Its hard to tell from that pic

thats about it

 

[dwfisk]

Good looking pit that will serve you well for years and great thing about 1/4" or better steel is you got plenty to work with IF you want to do any mods over time. A couple of observations, mostly to help with air/fire management.

• It kinda looks like the firebox to cook chamber opening is higher than the cooking grate? If so you might want to get the top of the opening down below the grate a couple inches?

• Tuning plates would really help with heat/smoke distribution.

Or, do nothing and just get a few cooks under your belt and practice getting a small hot (clean) fire then decide if mods are even needed.

Best of luck!

 

[Piggysquealers]

Looks great, I also like my logs split down that skinny

 

[jsperk]

Couple questions. Besides the charcoal grate I was thinking rtv sealant on the door or would latches like these put enough pressure to seal? [ame="http://www.amazon.com/LT-431-Toggle-holding-capacity-Referenced/dp/B0058FJY18/ref=pd_sim_hi_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=0P1RHW2WS4NAS3ESKR3J"]LT-431 Latch Type Toggle Clamp, 700 lbs holding capacity (Cross Referenced: 331) - - Amazon.com@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31yH7s2vENL.@@AMEPARAM@@31yH7s2vENL[/ame]

I was also going to buy these thermometers and put them lower on the door to the left and right. I see some people go lower to higher when they install three thermometers. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/2-pack-CHARCOAL-GRILL-SMOKER-THERMOMETER/dp/B007JSTA2K/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1408885738&sr=8-2&keywords=bbq+thermometer+gauge"]Amazon.com : 3" 475F (2-pack) BBQ CHARCOAL GRILL PIT WOOD SMOKER TEMP GAUGE THERMOMETER 2.5" STEM SS RWB : Smoker Temperature Gauge : Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51O3Qm4Yg-L.@@AMEPARAM@@51O3Qm4Yg-L[/ame]

Any other opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[rookiedad]

i want to see more cooks from this pit!

 

[jsperk]

This maybe a dumb question but I never used one of these or seen one cooked on before. Do most offset type cookers have some smoke coming out the door or should they seal tight and have no smoke coming out the door?

 

[Mettle Man]

very nice. did you use any specific plans? and what did you use for the offset and main cooker?

 

[crb478]

Great pit. I am sure that you can fine tune it to be nearly air tight and great cooking. The basics are there. Increase the charcoal grate area, seal up the leaks, touch up any bad welds, add tuning plates. The firebox size will be fine just keep small hot fires in it. That also looks like a great size. You got a SCORE.

 

[ButtBurner]

This maybe a dumb question but I never used one of these or seen one cooked on before. Do most offset type cookers have some smoke coming out the door or should they seal tight and have no smoke coming out the door?

I would not get hung up trying to seal it up tight as a drum

some leaking is fine, as long as its not excessive