How to Light the Oklahoma Joe’s Bronco

[@drdrew3]

With this drum I’ve found the wood chunks on top just catch fire and produce dark bitter smoke. If you put the wood in first the chunks slowly smolder for sweet blue smoke. Big difference

[@TruckinRoundTv]

Smoldering creates nasty smoke live fire burning is what creates clean smoke..if using chunks on top pre heat them on chimney when starting coal’s if using splits just through them on top..bury the chunks if you dont pre heat out the moisture thats what your seeing is the moisture creating white smoke

[@kelvinpratt89]

Any other tips for clean smoke in the bronco? I used pecan chunks on top of lump and could never get clean smoke. Ima try your recommendation

[@BlatantNinja23]

@@kelvinpratt89 "Preheat" the wood if you are adding more later on.

[@mattcordry]

Thank you for this video! Best branco video to date. I love mine and was having trouble getting a hotter fire, now I know the error of my ways thank you good sir!!!

[@skipsh00ter89]

How do you burn clean with slow burn? Mine smoked thick white smoke and made nasty food

[@cliff6247]

Wife got me one today to go with my Longhorn combo which I Love. Sitting here waiting for the Bronco to heat up so I can try out my Jalapeños

[@marathon1951]

I bought a Bronco at Walmart. Good inexpensive price compared to other name brand smokers. I like it and this vid helps. There is for sure a learning curve. But good results. Outside temps, winds all play a part.

[@UriasMedia]

I’m 3 cooks in and absolutely love my bronco!! I’ve smoked ribs, a brisket, and burgers so far! It’s a great grill!

[@petergomez2459]

Did you manage to get 10 hours out of one basket?

[@dwighthill5765]

Thank you very much. This video was extremely helpful.. I absolutely appreciate you taking the time out to show us!!!

[@craigdixon1243]

Great info I just set up my Bronco and have to do a season burn in but I have a full packer all lined up thanks for these tips

[@tonyvisconti8018]

Thanks for the video. How can I get even temps throughout, so when hanging ribs they cook the same top and bottom? Not over/under done on one end or the other.

[@SKRPI-sm5kw]

If you’re not looking to do a massive amount of ribs at once., cut them in half, hang on hooks, and keep the deflector shield in. I smoked some babyback’s for 5-6 hours at 225° using this method and they turned out excellent! Just spritz them once an hour with a 50/50 apple vinegar and water mixture.

[@UriasMedia]

Keep the membrane on and hang the fat side of the ribs down. Then when the bone starts to show and there is a good amount of pull back, take out the ribs switch to grill mode. Pull the membrane and wrap for the last 30 minutes or so. The ribs cook pretty even that way I’ve found. Also keep the heat low! Good luck

[@playlistplaybook6905]

Please do a video on how to clean it. A comparison of natural cleaner vs oven cleaner would be great

[@appleblows1]

What is the maximum length of brisket can you hang in the smoker?

[@carterhamlet5953]

I Vegas my bronco for 3 years and it's good temperatures very well no issues at all

[@adriancarlo4303]

Great video with great information.

[@OklahomaJoesSmokers]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@wis3guy83]

I got the smoking barrel fever I want one

[@Cininindy]

I can not get my Bronco temp to 225 and stay. It either chokes out when I have the intake on 1.5 and exhaust wide open or it spikes to 300 and above. Very frustrating. Trying to slow smoke.

[@fjimmel]

I hear in most bronco youtube videos that the thermometer is not accurate. Mine was 50 off and a replacement is 20 degrees off. Will this be addressed by OJ? It's really neat looking.

[@castroraymond]

Just bought one a week ago, performed a burn in per the instructions, seasoned it after the burn in, and my gauge was spot on when I checked it with a professional IR chef thermometer

[@markdgoldman1813]

How do you use the chimney to light the charcoal and then get it into the charcoal basket? Where do you put it to light the charcoal, and how do you transfer it into the charcoal basket as the handle on the basket is in the way?

[@fjimmel]

I pour the lit charcoal in the charcoal basket outside of the bronco and put the basket with lit charcoal in the bronce by using a hay hook and gloves of course.

[@matthewrod]

Is he using only the tumbleweed or does he add lighter fluid?

[@sychavez7269]

never use lighter fluid in the drum it the scent from. lighter fluid tends to stay in drum. Just use tumbleweed like 1 or 2 and youll be fine

[@Skeletonbody]

got mine to last 14-15 hours without refueling.

[@PracticeMakesPaper]

I wouldnt use wood chunks when it comes to drum smokers because its not enough airflow for wood to burn clean.. I would use wood infused briquettes like Kingsford Hickory, Kingsford Applewood, Kingsford Mesquite, Oak B&B Briquettes etc

[@smeeglesapprentice1468]

If the basket only holds about 10 hours worth of coals, how can you cook a brisket without adding more fuel as this video states adding more coals should not be necessary.

[@757phillycat]

Has the intake pipe issues been corrected

[@OklahomaJoesSmokers]

Yes.

[@SKRPI-sm5kw]

scott brown NO, it hasn’t been fixed. If it has, then they’re still sending them out with the defective part. I bought a Bronco a couple weeks ago at Lowe’s. Got it assembled and the top intake tube is the last part to install, and it was incorrect. I have not heard back from OKJ, nor can I reach them by phone. I raised a stink about it with Lowe’s. They said they just got two new ones in, and to bring in the part and they would open a box and exchange it. I did so, and the part is still incorrect. With that said, I want to use my smoker plus it’s already assembled. I’ve since rigged the tube and sealed it with Lavalock food grade silicone and some electric tape. Totally sealed with no leaks. Also other modifications I highly recommend with this smoker is to use gasket between the two drum halves, and also use the silicone around any bolts going into the drum. The only smoke coming out of my Bronco now is the stack on top the lid, where it should only be coming out. I really like the Bronco and it cooks nice, but I highly recommend those mods. It’s made well, but those are just things that should be addressed with it. A friend of mine got one a while ago and said it leaks smoke all different places. I wanted to avoid that, so I did those mods and no issues whatsoever now. Also there’s no mention in the instructions manual about using any type of oil when seasoning the smoker. I used a can of Canola spray and it worked great. Good luck!

[@Fedproman]

@@OklahomaJoesSmokers Why don't you reply to this comment made 3 weeks ago? Just what is the problem and why can't this be solved? You are saying one thing here, and I have seen several videos refuting what you say. People aren't lying about it. There is no reason for them to. Then Oklahoma Joe's Smokers must be. Why don't you make a video and state that the screw up has been finally and permanently repaired, and apologize to the BBQ Community, instead of these obviously misleading comments dropped in here and there on various videos stating that it has been corrected? Pretty sorry way of treating the BBQ Community IMO.

[@SKRPI-sm5kw]

Fedproman - OKJ took care of the issue. They sent me a new upper intake tube that has been corrected and fits properly. I still recommend using food grade, high heat silicone around lower half of intake tube before assembling, just to be sure it’s sealed air tight. I also highly recommend using the silicone on all bolts/nuts that go into the drum, upper stack on lid, along with OKJ self adhesive gasket between the two drum halves. I have zero smoke or grease leaks from my Bronco after at least 15 smoke/grill sessions so far, and it’s incredible how well it works! It has to be air tight so the drafts can do the work properly at controlling the temp. I seriously LOVE the Bronco, and it is hands down the best grill/smoker I’ve ever owned and used. I would definitely replace it with another one. Other then the intake pipe issue, I have absolutely no other complaints. The quality and craftsmanship of this thing otherwise is excellent. It’s well worth the little effort to take those extra steps when assembling. You’ll be very happy with it!

[@Fedproman]

@@SKRPI-sm5kw thanks for the information

[@zeebass2690]

Love my bronco!

[@deantimms5014]

Seems to me the first two methods would create a tremendous amount of dirty smoke as the coals are always in a state of combustion as it burns across the basket.

[@LongRangeSnipe1]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@JACQUESBDUPREEZ]

Not at all, I have been doing this for a few years now and it definitely does not produce bad smoke.

[@deantimms5014]

@@JACQUESBDUPREEZ thanks for the tip. I’ll give it a try.

[@hiimpaul9614]

I don't think it is an issue with the coals, but the wood chunks. I usually throw the chunks on once the coal burns hot, and then let the chunk burn clean. The rest of the basket has chips mixed in that combust completely.

[@glengrossnickle4985]

I have always wanted to smoke meats. My son got me your smoker for Christmas. Haven't cooked yet but in several places it says not to use lighter fluid. Being knew to this I wondered WHY? THANKS

[@redfishbluefish4973]

The fumes from the lighter fluid will compromise the smoke flavor and give it a slightly chemical flavor. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

[@polarisswamper_937]

I’ve learned the best way to get this grill heated up fast is to leave the lid open and let it blaze up over the top for about 10 minutes. Mine will get up to 500 with out a problem

[@gallien]

If you use the grilling method make sure you put the ash pan underneath the charcoal basket. If you place the charcoal basket directly on the diffuser plate you will warp it from the extreme heat. Just dont flip the diffuser plate leave it so its low. The combination of both ash pan and charcoal basket is high enough. You can tell OHJ don't test their products thoroughly.

[@dennycompanion5997]

Does the Oklahoma Joe’s come with a door on front so you can add more charcoal or wood?

[@MoesBlackGoldBBQ]

It comes with no door.

[@foodonfire3662]

I find that it cooks just as well without using the deflector plate. If you do the same you can add fuel and/or wood chunks very easily by simply dropping them in rather than lifting the basket. The need for this is rare if you fill your charcoal basket all the way. Since the Bronco is airtight it will stop burning very quickly when you close the vents. This meas no wasted fuel when using a full basket for a short cook.

[@JACQUESBDUPREEZ]

No need to add more charcoal, its is good for 14 to 15 hours of cooking

[@brianegeston9652]

Had this for three years. Still is the most inconsistent smoker in my arsenal. Not sure what else to do except by a BGE,

[@JACQUESBDUPREEZ]

I suggest learn to use it properly, it will prove that it is one of the best for consistent temp control, one of the best smokers I own.

[@georgehunt182]

I would say no. Mine is miserable and the fire fails every time, and never gets hot

[@OklahomaJoesSmokers]

Hey, George. We're sorry to hear this. Please follow this link (bit.ly/2VQqS7p) or give us a call at 1-866-239-6777 so we can assist you further.

[@ohhlook2328]

I doubt its the cooker...

[@JACQUESBDUPREEZ]

Maybe get someone to teach you to use it properly, do a class. Sounds like there is something that your doing wrong.

[@BabyDiego10599]

That first setup doesn’t work for me. I get a 5 - 6 hour at most. 🤦🏽‍♂️