Smoker box revision?

[swthorpe]

So I went outside to check the smoke box, just to be sure.  Something must have happened since the last time I smoked...now my box has holes on the bottom    All this time I thought the bottom was solid, so now I know!  Unreal.

 

[gregbooras]

So I went outside to check the smoke box, just to be sure.  Something must have happened since the last time I smoked...now my box has holes on the bottom    All this time I thought the bottom was solid, so now I know!  Unreal.

Haha.....

Must have been those little green men

Greg

 

[va_rider]

So I went outside to check the smoke box, just to be sure.  Something must have happened since the last time I smoked...now my box has holes on the bottom    All this time I thought the bottom was solid, so now I know!  Unreal.

At least I'm not the only one...

 

[swthorpe]

I am in good company, then!  It's amazing to me how many times I have dropped wood in that box and did not notice the holes on the bottom.  I guess this is why human beings do not make good eye witnesses!  ;D

 

[SuperDave]

Now we can go back to focusing on why the holes are there in the first place.  LOL!

 

[va_rider]

Now we can go back to focusing on why the holes are there in the first place.  LOL!

Yeah, on that note, I've seen several folks on the forum say that they lay down foil in the entire bottom of the smoker box to make cleanup easier. For the folks that do that, do you punch holes in the foil for the holes? Does it mess up airflow?

 

[Pork Belly]

Foil goes on the bottom of the smoker, poke the drain hole through. Then foil the top of the firebox.

 

[SuperDave]

All the foil in the wood box stories are to stop wood combustion.  I wonder if Steve would make me a box with no holes in it to start with?  I'd try it as an R&D effort unless he has already been down that road. 

 

[va_rider]

Foil goes on the bottom of the smoker, poke the drain hole through. Then foil the top of the firebox.

I'm familiar with doing that... but some folks say that they also line the inside of the smoker box (the box that holds the wood) with foil for easy cleanup.

 

[Pork Belly]

The box that holds the wood is the Firebox. I do not understand why anyone would want to do that, seems like a waste of time and foil.

I personally do not understand the attempts to reinvent the SI. I know some folks just are not satisfied and need to tinker but  this thing works really good as is.

 

[gregbooras]

To stop the belch I (like others) line the bottom of the smoke box with a single piece of foil. The belch no longer happens!

Greg

 

[Pork Belly]

Do you sit and watch the entire smoke to see this mysterious belch? I do not, so it may be "Belching" every five minutes for all I know.

I don't believe it is anything to worry about, lots of you guys talk about "it happened" but I haven't read about any spoiled meals.

It is wood and heat, there is likely to be an occasional fire, not a big deal.

 

[Trip]

The foil is acting like a small layer of insulation and reduces airflow to the wood.  Less air = less likely to combust, always remember the fire triangle (heat, fuel, and an oxidizing agent)

It definitely makes a difference, I see much cleaner smoke from just using foil boats vs nothing at all. 

 

[gregbooras]

Do you sit and watch the entire smoke to see this mysterious belch? I do not, so it may be "Belching" every five minutes for all I know.

I don't believe it is anything to worry about, lots of you guys talk about "it happened" but I haven't read about any spoiled meals.

It is wood and heat, there is likely to be an occasional fire, not a big deal.

In the past when it belched you could hear it in the house. The wood now turns into what looks like lump charcoal.

For me I don't worry, I use 5 cents of foil on the bottom and change it every once in a while.

Each to their own

Greg

 

[Pork Belly]

I am a firm believer in "If it is legal and makes you happy, go for it" but I don't feel the need.

I toss in a chunk of wood, set the dial and come back later to collect my food.

 

[SuperDave]

Brian, we each have our own head scratching moments.  I can't wrap my head around the guys that measure the moisture content of their wood or measure it to tenths of an ounce but each of us has our own rituals that provide peace of mind.  From a quality standpoint, I do believe that fire produces sooty smoke and is detrimental to the food quality but I'm also sure that we all do what we do because we believe it effects the quality of the end product. 

 

[Jcnme]

I just bought a #2 and received it Wednesday. The smoker box has holes in the bottom.so you might want to contact Steve on that issue. 8)

 

[DivotMaker]

I just bought a #2 and received it Wednesday. The smoker box has holes in the bottom.so you might want to contact Steve on that issue. 8)

Welcome to the club, Jcnme!  Looks like everyone agrees there are, indeed, holes in the bottom of the smoke box!

Now that you're with us, head over to the Introductions section and tell us a little about yourself (Q experience, etc.).  Also, adding your first name and town, to your Forum Profile signature line is appreciated!  We like to know our new members!

Let us know how we can help you become a SI Pit Master! 8)