Without sealing it, how much of a gap is there? Does this gap go all around the base/top? Any pics? If the door is anything like the WSM stock door, then it definitely needs sealing.
Trail Embers Triple Function Smoker (WSM knockoff) $199
- Thread starter JS-TX
- Start date
Without sealing it, how much of a gap is there? Does this gap go all around the base/top? Any pics? If the door is anything like the WSM stock door, then it definitely needs sealing.
WareZdaBeef
is Blowin Smoke!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2012
- Location
- PA
WareZdaBeef
is Blowin Smoke!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2012
- Location
- PA
Can someone tell me in general with this or even a WSM and a DigiQ, for a long slow cook, is it best to just dump the charcoal in or use the Minion or Snake method? I am doing a 5 inch thick chuck roast tomorrow morning and want to prep the charcoal basket tonight but haven't decided on a method using this DigiQ. I am shooting for either 225 or 250F.
El Ropo
Quintessential Chatty Farker
The fire basket area of that cooker seems awfully similar to the design of a modified el cheapo brinkmann vertical bullet smoker (like the old Brinkmann Gourmet). I used one of those bullets for a couple years early in my BBQ addiction, and it worked really well using the minion method.
I would fill up the basket with briqs, or a mix of lump and briqs, with chunks of wood mixed and buried within the unlit fuel. Then I would light up a dozen or so briqs in a chimney starter and dump them on top of the unlit basket of fuel. Within 20 minutes or so, it would be ready for cooking, and I could easily get 8 hours of cooking time running at 275ish.
I made a lot of very good food on that bullet smoker. Most of the time, I did not use water in the pan though, I had a terra cotta platter wrapped in foil that I would set in the water pan. That worked well to keep too much direct heat off the meat without keeping the cooker from running at hotter temps like a large water pan might do.
I would fill up the basket with briqs, or a mix of lump and briqs, with chunks of wood mixed and buried within the unlit fuel. Then I would light up a dozen or so briqs in a chimney starter and dump them on top of the unlit basket of fuel. Within 20 minutes or so, it would be ready for cooking, and I could easily get 8 hours of cooking time running at 275ish.
I made a lot of very good food on that bullet smoker. Most of the time, I did not use water in the pan though, I had a terra cotta platter wrapped in foil that I would set in the water pan. That worked well to keep too much direct heat off the meat without keeping the cooker from running at hotter temps like a large water pan might do.
WareZdaBeef
is Blowin Smoke!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2012
- Location
- PA
I went with 3 layer pyramid half circle snake method with about 5 or 6 2x2 chunks of Hick spaced about every 4-6 inches. I have the DigiQ set for 200F and its holding steady for over an hour with barely even a 1/4 into the half circle.
Ironically the bottom base which i did not have enough lavalock gasket to go around, is not leaking ( i did not even bother using any of the lavalock on the base)
But the top lid is slightly leaking some smoke. I will need to order another roll and seal around the top of the barrel. The doors are not leaking at all.
So far i am very happy with how well its holding temp and very consistent even burn.
Ironically the bottom base which i did not have enough lavalock gasket to go around, is not leaking ( i did not even bother using any of the lavalock on the base)
But the top lid is slightly leaking some smoke. I will need to order another roll and seal around the top of the barrel. The doors are not leaking at all.
So far i am very happy with how well its holding temp and very consistent even burn.
WareZdaBeef
is Blowin Smoke!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2012
- Location
- PA
I must have Jinx'd myself. It decided to down pour. Luckily this DigiQ must be some what water proof , or i got lucky and water didn't get into it. The fan got a little wet but i wiped everything down with paper towels and its still working. My adrenaline must have been pumping pretty good because i picked up this 100lb+ smoker and carried it up onto my porch pretty damn fast...lol
I must have moved the charcoal around in the basket a little because i started to get yoyo temps. I moved the charcoal back into place as best i could with tongs but it climbed from my set 225F to 250F so i closed the damper to 1/4 open until temps go back down and then i'll open it back up 3/4 as it was pretty steady there. I suppose the drop and rise in atmosphere temp also played a part in this.
What a nice first test run aye?
I must have moved the charcoal around in the basket a little because i started to get yoyo temps. I moved the charcoal back into place as best i could with tongs but it climbed from my set 225F to 250F so i closed the damper to 1/4 open until temps go back down and then i'll open it back up 3/4 as it was pretty steady there. I suppose the drop and rise in atmosphere temp also played a part in this.
What a nice first test run aye?
BadkissonTT
Full Fledged Farker
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2017
- Location
- Victoria
WareZdaBeef
is Blowin Smoke!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2012
- Location
- PA
The things we do for Q........
Good thing i don't believe in putting water in the water pan?
WareZdaBeef
is Blowin Smoke!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2012
- Location
- PA
Well, i found the source of the leak. And lavalock won't fix it. Its sad because this thing does work great, especially for $99 bucks. But i will to either have it welded and painted or use some food grade high temp silicone sealant.
WareZdaBeef
is Blowin Smoke!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2012
- Location
- PA
I wrapped the chuck in a homemade cambro. Its basicly a bread warmer basket inside a Dale Earnhardt cooler. I pulled at 190F and it climbed to 191F and down to 166F in 4 hours.
Just keep using it. If I'm correct that you are referring to the gap between the gray cylinder wall and the silver ring, that gap will seal up on its own with use. May take a few cooks, but it will eventually seal.
Last edited:
With the party Q and the lava seal I still have less than 300 in them.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Looks like the family section of the parkway pre-parade. Nice twins setup!
Last edited:
WareZdaBeef
is Blowin Smoke!
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2012
- Location
- PA
Top notch.
ericandcandi
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2013
- Location
- Bossier...
Yep, you guessed it! Man I love these cookers , I have just put on a 15lb packer for fathers day tomorrow. Set the Party Q on 240 and I'm headed to bed!
Last edited:
ericandcandi
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2013
- Location
- Bossier...
Here is a facebook link talking about these smokers.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/175...group_comment_reply¬if_id=1497368133439855
https://www.facebook.com/groups/175...group_comment_reply¬if_id=1497368133439855
ericandcandi
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2013
- Location
- Bossier...
Ok this might be getting out of hand. I have three of these now and picking up the 4th tomorrow. With that said I still have less than one 22.5 Weber Smokey Mountain. Three were 100 dollars each and one was 50.00(last years end of season deals). I do think these are great smokers. With a little modification you can really make this thing purr.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
SmittyJonz
somebody shut me the fark up.
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2013
- Location
- Burleson Tx
How many grates? are these 22"? Is there room to roll some expanded to make a deeper charcoal basket?
Last edited:
ericandcandi
Knows what a fatty is.
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2013
- Location
- Bossier...
Three 22.5 grates in all. It can hold 20lb without difficulty but I have only put 18 in at one time.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
lowridns1020
MemberGot rid of the matchlight.
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2014
- Location
- Orient...
The link states online only. Are you guys getting this price in the store as well?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Scored a Trail Embers Smoker
New poster here, I have been lurking for some time now. I have been considering a new smoker for some time. I have had a Brinkman Charcoal and also an Electric. Both would work after a fashion but I was never satisfied with the results. I have successfully used my Weber Performer and was considering getting a smoker ring for it but when I ran across this thread, the Trail Ember Smoker looked like a good way to get one at a reasonable price. The WSM is a great unit and also the BPC. I even considered building a UDS. Last night I checked on line at TSC for one of these because they were on sale for $99.99 and there was one available at my local TSC store and also a couple at stores close by. I was uncertain if I really wanted one and when I got home this afternoon I checked on them again and they showed out of stock on line and there was only one available at my local store. I put it in my cart, bought it and should be able to pick it up tomorrow. :thumb:I just hope I did not waste my money. I guess if I do not like it I can always cut it down to make a smoker ring for my Weber. From some of the posts on here it looks like it is very capable. Probably have to wait until this weekend to try it out. I welcome all hints and tips from you who have been using this cooker.
Thanks
New poster here, I have been lurking for some time now. I have been considering a new smoker for some time. I have had a Brinkman Charcoal and also an Electric. Both would work after a fashion but I was never satisfied with the results. I have successfully used my Weber Performer and was considering getting a smoker ring for it but when I ran across this thread, the Trail Ember Smoker looked like a good way to get one at a reasonable price. The WSM is a great unit and also the BPC. I even considered building a UDS. Last night I checked on line at TSC for one of these because they were on sale for $99.99 and there was one available at my local TSC store and also a couple at stores close by. I was uncertain if I really wanted one and when I got home this afternoon I checked on them again and they showed out of stock on line and there was only one available at my local store. I put it in my cart, bought it and should be able to pick it up tomorrow. :thumb:I just hope I did not waste my money. I guess if I do not like it I can always cut it down to make a smoker ring for my Weber. From some of the posts on here it looks like it is very capable. Probably have to wait until this weekend to try it out. I welcome all hints and tips from you who have been using this cooker.
Thanks
