OLD COUNTRY PECOS SMOKER MODS "THE WATER BOX"

[@kenrodz3858]

I really like that second rack!! Thank you for sharing..

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Thanks for watching! Easy modifications to make this smoker even better, love this thing!

[@ronnielynnholley]

Can you hot grill with charcoal in the cook box ... like steak and burgers, hot dogs???

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

You can, it’s not the best for that because the high heat on the barrel will cause the paint to peel. Now I have tuning plates that are 1/4” steel, so I can make a bed of coals on the plates and avoid the paint issue. I’ve never done it though because I’ve got a direct fire grill I use for burgers. Now if you want to reverse sear a steak, the searing in the fire box is awesome!

[@ekd2000]

Your the man Eric! Thanks for the video. Helped me out a lot. 👍

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Glad I could help! That’s why I have this channel, thank you for the sub and for watching!

[@foosblood24]

11:20 New drinking game: Every time you grab the wrong sized crescent wrench, you have to take a sip of beer.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

YES !

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

🤣🤣🤣

[@robertgoidel]

Thank you for showing how to apply the 1000 degree resistant silicone gasket material. Most helpful.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Glad to help! Thanks for watching!

[@wippdriver1]

I love the Saran wrap trick to get the perfect mold

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Thanks, it actually worked pretty good, next time I do it I’ll let it dry a bit longer, but it worked! Thanks for watching!

[@76twice]

What is the measurements of the firebricks you used ? Thanks

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

It’s what they call a “split” 4.5x9x1.25”

[@76twice]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE awesome thanks for the reply

[@TheBooyeah100]

How thick are your tuning plates?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

1/4 x 4 x 13.5

[@Ridgerunner-qi1xz]

I like the idea of the fire brick in the fire box. At 7:35, I noticed the openings of the fire box and cook chamber really appear to be mismatched. I suppose that's another reason for the great deal. I like the fact that the Old Country's seem to be a relatively heavier gauge than a lot of other smokers out there. Though, I have read that it's important to do a hands-on / eyes-on pick of your smoker.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

You are correct, i had to tweak a few things on this $200 smoker, but it runs like a champ! I think the best part about this smoker is the location of the smoke stack (food level) and the welded construction! Not many smokers at this price level would literally hold water in the cook chamber. Thanks for watching!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@Fred Wills that’s good to know! I’m glad to hear you’ve got that option, if you are thinking about doing this mod on a OK Joe go for it! It’s a great mod! Thanks for the comment!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@Fred Wills I know all about the Brazos! It’s a really nice smoker! From what I’ve read, if it gets damaged (and they usually do) they refund the shipping. I kinda want to learn to weld and build a Franklin Pit! Best of luck to you!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@Fred Wills wow that pit you have is a dream! I agree and only fill mine up for longer cooks. I also recommend getting some good seasoning on the pit before filling it with water. Happy smoking!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@Fred Wills awesome! I’ve been thinking about trying the stack extension, what length did you go with?

[@dustrankSHNF]

Do you think tapping the hole then threading it and taking the correct size threaded pipe jb welding the threads and screw it in. After it set cut off the excess pipe inside the cook box with a angle grinder would work?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Absolutely, I added the nut but I think that was overkill.

[@AB-iv2pg]

Love the extra shelf idea. Any tips on where to find a stainless steel mesh that’s of size? Thanks!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Mine was from a friends scrap pile. I'd think maybe Home depot or a steel supplier. Best of luck, sorry for the delayed response!

[@davepxxxv]

Online metals. Can cut to order anything you want.

[@haydeecastillo4621]

Just got my Pecos. Will season this weekend and try to smoke a butt for the first time. Will see how much it leaks. Like the ideas

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

If you have time, watch some oh my other other videos I show fire management while I cook on the earlier ones. You’re going to love this smoker!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Oh, thanks for watching!

[@stashbeardsley1616]

Only downside of the drain is that there's a large lip so all the water and oil can't drain out. I would maybe install like a bathroom sink type drain. One that's flush and modify that with a valve on it.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

That’s a good idea! I wish I had a welder, the would be even better! Thanks for watching!

[@smalltowntexasbbqburgersbr1391]

Subscribed last night and glad to see what you've got going! I have an OCP Angus Smoker and I was glad I didn't have to drill a hole for the grease to come out of but I did have to put some silicone in the pipe because there were a couple of pinholes when it came from the manufacturer so grease would run down the sides of the pipe. Added that ball valve after I sealed those holes and she's not a bad smoker. I might have to steal that tuning plate thing though. It sure might help quite a bit with more even temps. Thanks so much for subscribing to my channel and for sharing your passion with us!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

That’s why we do it! It’s fun to share our passion! Tuning plates are a game changer!

[@BBQJOE]

Great video.. Love the mods you done so far. Thx

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Joe's BBQ House thanks and thanks for watching!

[@hfsharp]

it seems that you could mount the drain pipe flush if you used a lock washer and nut to tighten it to the bottom of the heat chamber instead of just tightening the pipe all the way in. If you stopped with the pipe flush at the inside of the cook chamber, then run the tightening nut up to the outside of the heat chamber, it would be tight. Maybe it is because there is probably not a full turn of threads in the hole drilled in the heat chamber...anyway, might be worth a try.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Harold Sharp great suggestion, I wanted to make sure I had a good seal to hold the water for my water box mod....it works great!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Oh and thanks for watching!

[@FejerangJ]

Thought. Drill a hole level to where you want the water line to be. Compensate for hardware. You can maintain water level without burning yourself. Would be really cool if you had a see through pipe to act almost like a rain gauge, but that is getting to much.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Good ideas, maybe a future modification. I can see the water level when I add wood, so no need for the water level indicator 😂. Thanks for watching!

[@joeking4037]

Good music!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

🤫 don’t tell KZbin 🤣

[@joeking4037]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE right??? 😆🤐

[@jakethesnake9528]

What would you think about adding an access valve (maybe similar to drain valve) on the back side of pit to add water instead of opening firebox and dropping your cooking temp? Would appreciate your thoughts.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Interesting idea, I don’t have to add water very often, only on long cooks. I’ve not had big temp drops when filling during a cook so it may not be worth the effort.

[@jakethesnake9528]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE Thanks a million for your input.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

@@jakethesnake9528 anytime!

[@rickrivera6303]

How has the silicone held up, did any come up with the saranwrap, did you have to reapply after a couple months. Trying to figure out if it's better than the gasket, (lava lock). Thanks for the video, one of the better mods ive seen.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

The silicone in the cook chamber held up well, the fire box not so much. I’ve tried all kinds of stuff including the lava rock tape, temps are just too high in the fire box. Saranwrap worked great! Lava lock will look best, and should last forever in the cook chamber. Let me know if you do the water box mod and how you like it! I think it’s the best thing I’ve done! Moist smoke! Thanks for watching please subscribe 😁

[@bryanrobin2952]

How could liquids get out if the end of the pipe isn’t flush with the internal surface.

[@glenrock2389]

agreed - looks like that'd be a struggle

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

If I had a welder it would work better and I could of made it flush...but I didn’t and most people don’t. So what I do now is when my cook is done I put if a few logs and crank up the heat, I drain it as much as I can, then I put a block under the legs so the water goes to the hot side and boils and dries out. Thanks for watching, it’s a great mod if you are thinking about doing it!

[@AdamSaraceno]

Never thought of turning the cook chamber itself into a water box. Are there any disadvantages to it? Do you fill it with water for every cook? Just bought a Pecos. Not really impressed by build quality. Leaks a ton, and I’ve seen a fluctuating 15-50+ degree difference between the front and back of the cook chamber. But planning to implement some of the mods you’ve done. Will let you know how it goes.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Adam Saraceno hey thanks for the subscribe! I see NO disadvantage to having the cook chamber filled with water! I know there are some leak issues but one real advantage with the Pecos is the welds are great and hold water, you won’t find that on the Oklahoma Joe. I used high temp caulk to take care of most leaks. Get you/make some tuning plates to help control heat variation I’d do that mod first! Best of luck and hit me up with any questions, I’m on instagram too, @ericsbbqandmore

[@peakdesignvideo]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE Would you recommend 1/4 steel for those tuning plates (over 3/8)? Is there anything you would have done differently with em? Got a rack of ribs that I plan to smoke this Sat, and a metal supply shop down the street.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Peak Design 1/4 will work fine, the thicker the better, they act like heat sinks so they help to hold temps as will as tuning the fire distribution. Make sure before your first cook you season the steel and it’ll last forever! I really wouldn’t change a thing.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Peak Design I just looked, mine are 1/4” x 4” x 13 1/2” long.

[@AdamSaraceno]

Eric’s BBQ And MORE! Made tuning plates, added felt heat gasket, and fabbed a 2nd shelf for the cooker yesterday. Then did a test burn. The difference in heat consistency...across the length of the cook chamber and over time...is incredible! This thing is ready to go. Got 3 racks of STL spare ribs and a beef shoulder for today.

[@RicsBBQSpecialties]

Very cool mods, I had to seal the doors on my Brazzos too. Like your water box mod👍🏼👍🏼

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Thanks for watching!

[@SDSBBQs]

Ill be adding g suggestions as I watch... 1. Add another piece of angle to hold the shelf down so you can slide it out and it not fall off. The water is an excellent addition! You may want to figure out a means of increasing your volume. But as long as it dosen't run dry you don't have to keep it full, (keep that in mind) so you're not adding water every 30 minutes or so. Well done though!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

SDSBBQ thanks Dash, great suggestion on the shelf. I added water twice over 7 hours and I could feel the steam coming out the smoke stack!

[@tereztiago9133]

a felt gasket would work better and look better too

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

I’ve used both, I agree on the looks better, but performance wise the caulking has lasted longer. Nothing survived the firebox lid, it’s just too hot. Do you know of a gasket I could use on the firebox?

[@tereztiago9133]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE no. the firebox is undefeated lol😂

[@foggymountainman9138]

Good mods on that thing except I would have just welded the nut on the bottom for my drain so it would still be flush on the inside just a quick tip keep the good videos coming

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

I agree! only issue is, I don't have a welder :) but if i did, I would most certainly do that. Thanks for watching!

[@MrCraig-bk7bx]

JB welding a bolt if you don't have a welder. This is going to cause more problems.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Mr. Craig I may have to try that! I’d love it to be flush inside so I don’t have to paper towel it dry every time. Thanks for watching!

[@OKRMetric]

@@EricsBBQAndMORE I would think since there is no stress on it you could just screw it up flush in the bottom and stop. It doesn't have to support any weight and as long as you dont crank on the ball valve real hard it should be fine.. I like the idea.. thanks.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Mike Crane you are right, I should have tried that first and had the nut washer as a backup plan. Thanks for watching!

[@edwardteach-mccloud4952]

What size of washer and nut did you use for the 3/4 pipe? I want to do something similar but having a hard time with finding the correct size washer and nut. Thanks

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Edward Teach-McCloud good question, that’s a washer used for electrical conduit. Try the electrical department at Home Depot or Lowe’s.

[@tombrown1032]

Pipe is a tapered thread and conduit is a straight mechanical thread

[@2005Pilot]

I too am having hard time finding nut at Lowe’s-will keep looking

[@TheRealChetManley]

Nice shirt!

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

TheRealChetManley L YEAH! Thanks for watching!

[@1984BBQ]

Very cool mod work on the pit ... It turned out really good it looked like .. Where you have with you results of your cook after you did the mods ?

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

1984 BBQ yes, I cooked 2 butts and a Brisket and they turned out great...moist and tender!

[@victorbenner539]

I have been waiting to see this mod vid. My concern ever since mentioning the idea of adding the drain valve was how close to flush we can get with the top of the insert to the surface of the inside of the cook chamber so as to get as much water out at the end of the cook for ease of cleaning ( wow, that was a long sentence) . Anyway, would like to know if it did help on clean out. FYI , I did receive my Pecos but it was shipped wrong and was seriously damaged. Academy said that they will make it right so we will do a return and they will ship out another one and do it right this time. Thanks for doing this video.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Victor Benner , the drain mod worked great! The water made steam that added moisture to the smoke and I think really made the Brisket and butts I did turn out great! I was amazed how fast the water boiled. I forgot to add the clean out, but it was simple. I’m really happy with how this turned out!

[@victorbenner539]

Eric’s BBQ And MORE! I thought I should mention I hadn't thought about threading the hole, good idea. I've also been wondering if there is some way to make a simple gauge to monitor water legal and to plumb in some sort of filling port because I have so e water smokers and yes you are always having to add water during the cook. Seems on average about 1 to 1.5 hours. I make sure to always boil the water so as to keep up the temp. in the food chamber. And if you haven't already thought of this, start adding things to the water. Onions, cinnamon, citrus fruit, you get the idea. It is another way to infuse flavors to what's being cooked.

[@victorbenner539]

I meant to say " water level, not water legal " damm autocorrect.

[@EricsBBQAndMORE]

Victor Benner I only added water 2-3 times over 7 hours, was not too bad.

[@victorbenner539]

Eric’s BBQ And MORE! Yes very good. About what I was thinking it might be. I have come up with some ideas for monitoring the water level and a water port combination that if I'm correct would work really well. When mine finally arrives I'll see if it works. About how much water are you able to put in?