Smoker Design: Should You Insulate An Offset Smoker Firebox

[@cdouglas]

I appreciate your content. I'm new to your channel. I'm building a 500 gallon offset. I understand the efficiency wasn't a lot of difference with a 250 but what about a 500? I'll be smoking mostly briskets. Have you had complaints of people not getting a good bark due to the clean cooking of an insulated box? Any guidance is appreciated!

[@williamjoyce7168]

I have a char grill champ off set smoker. I use only a slight firebox modification. Three 9 x 4“ bricks on the bottom. With one of my firebox top racks. Excellent airflow and efficient cooked temperature in the middle of the grill. With a water pan.

[@SmokerBuilder]

Sounds AWESOME brother! 👍

[@hankt2792]

Thank you for taking the time for posting these podcasts. Your knowledge and advice is invaluable for a backyard bbq newbie like me. A few months ago I bought a used 120 gallon offset with a 24" x 30" firebox, all 1/4" A36 steel plate uninsulated. Thinking I would need to prevent heat escape from firebox walls, I recently bought 18 fire bricks to place inside bottom of firebox to create a some what semi-insulated environment. But now that I've heard this podcast, did I just waste $80 on fire bricks, or do fire bricks help conserve some heat but still allow for a little dirty smoke for flavor. Could you share your opinion on this set up please. Thank you from so. Cal.

[@jeremyfree2fish586]

All this information is awesome thank you. I'm about to start on a 250 gal here in montana and using the stuff I have laying around the house, I've got an old home made wood stove that I would like to use for firebox its about 5/8 the width of the smoker i think it would be okay but curious your thoughts on it thank you.

[@iyaayas2246]

What do you think about a semi-insulated fire box? Also, could you enamel a smoker instead of paint?

[@SmokerBuilder]

I think that would be a better case instead of fullyinsulated. As far as the enamel I’m not sure what coding you’re talking about. If you’re thinking like ceramic, you can totally do that. Eastwood makes a ceramic paint that’s really great it’s just pretty expensive.

[@ronhedin3813]

Thanks Brother love all the info 👊🙌🍻

[@SmokerBuilder]

Thanks buddy! 👍

[@deant876]

I just got a 500 gal propane tank, and in the process of gathering the other parts to start making it. I have been going back and forth on whether or not to insulate or not. I'm up in Michigan and the temp is below 50 (down to -25) for more than 6 months. The last smoker I made used a 3/8" thick fire box, and I had a hard time keeping temp (my sensors graph looked like an E.K.G.). That is why I'm considering insulated

[@SmokerBuilder]

It wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and insulate. With temps dropping really cold it would help keep some of that heat in. Thanks so much

[@BRISKETBOYS_BBQ]

Where the video about "how move havy things in garage " ?

[@SmokerBuilder]

Already published on iTunes and Spotify and will land here Monday

[@BRISKETBOYS_BBQ]

@@SmokerBuilder thanks !

[@lamarwilliams185]

Thanks for the knowledge!!!!

[@SmokerBuilder]

No problem brother!

[@dk9696]

Thank you. Subbed!

[@alijhill]

Thanks

[@SmokerBuilder]

👍👍👍

[@wetwindowsguy8396]

Brother help the reverse flow guys out we need love to. I can't get my temperature up😢