How to Upgrade an Offset Smoker for Beginners

[@bamacheats]

My experience with a Brazos…no matter where you get your wood, the top rack inside the smoker is where the splits go before they go in the firebox. Most guys like to rest them on top of the firebox, but inside the smoker is best. Keeps smoke blue. Besides, that top rack is so small it’s only good for chicken wings.

[@meatthinker]

That is actually a great tip! I will try that in my next brisket cook. Thank you for sharing that here.

[@dallrevenge9256]

I had the same problem with my offset smoker, Take your wood off the coals after shaking it to stop the flames. sit them in a corner and control your airflow vent. spreading the coals out helps stop the flames. This is my years of trial and error in smoking.

[@meatthinker]

Thank you for the tip! I never got to play with fire this much before and this is fun!

[@randallwheeler4247]

I have the same smoker. Those mods are good but you will want to remove the baffle plate by the fire box. It directs the heat to the bottom of the brisket rather than allowing it to flow over the top.

[@meatthinker]

If I can get my hands on decent firewood this week, the baffle would be the first thing I'm going to play with to see how this smoker works! Thank you for watching!

[@uncleb.cooking]

Take the bricks out and use the coal rack that came in the smoker. You are getting dirty smoke because you are only getting air across the top of the fire.

[@meatthinker]

Thank you for the tip! I’ll continue to play with this thing until I get it right. This is exciting!

[@limbui3514]

The reason for the white smoke and not catching, is probable due to using too big a split for that coal bed. Try splitting the size you’re using in 1/3 of the size and instead of putting 1 big split try 3 individual splits to increase airflow.

[@meatthinker]

Thank you for the tip! I'll get my hands on better firewood and start experiment with smaller splits. Appreciate you watching!

[@davidgarlitos8848]

I'm pretty sure that thing's efficacy ain't gear towards efficiency. I would not modify it at all, and use the proper amount of fuel, and learn the ventilation provided.

[@meatthinker]

Yeap, you are correct. It’s something you have to find out after running it yourself. I have bought plenty of firewood shortly after!

[@davidgarlitos8848]

you wouldn't buy a V8 and complain about is gas mileage, now would you?

[@dudeman1828]

Sorry, if that’s how you tie down a smoker onto a trailer, you have lost any potential of credibility.

[@meatthinker]

Ha, fair enough. I did have two more ratchet straps in the middle and back of the smoker - I just didn’t record myself doing it.