I made one like you did, but I used a board with another one screwed to it to make a clamp for the bends. I also saved the corner squares, bent them, and used them to re-enforce the corners of the basket. Helps seal the gaps in the corners.
I followed your design and made myself one this past spring. I actually used some copper house wire to tie the corners together and it's holding just as good as your rebar ties. The best part of using the basket is that with my offset, I can pull out the ash drawer without disturbing the fire. It doesn't matter how long I'm cooking, I can always eliminate the excess ash and keep good airflow going around my fire.
I've got a very similar basket. I love it, cheap and as you said, just as effective as a bought one. I'll need a bigger one when I pull the trigger on a new offset.
You're replacing the Oklahoma Joe's Highland? What are you thinking about getting? I bought a cheap offset under $100 3 years ago when I wanted to give smoking a try. 3 years later, with some care it is hanging in there just about but I want something bigger with better heat retention and consistency. I'm considering the Old Country BBQ Pits Brazos from Academy.
That’s great news, your first video motivated me to make my own as well... I was a little bit weary of the rebar ties, lap I opted instead to snip the ends of the expanded metal and fold the tag ends onto the adjoining corners. Good to see your method worked out though, I guess the rebar ties would usually sit in concrete, meant to last a while... even if cracks form and let water into them. Your rusty basket that sits outside... if you decide that you don’t like that look, a wire brush and a good coating of oil and seasoning on the grill should bring it back to a good looking state and slow the rusting process in the future... Happy cooking
I wanted to thank you for the idea for this. My offset came with a stupid try that is not very useful and this will fit the bill. I too love making stuff cheap.
Ry, I love the idea of your basket and followed your link to order the metal. Prices have skyrocketed. The expanded metal is currently $39. I did an Amazon search and found a basket made by Oklahoma Joe's for $32. Just an FYI for you.
Good follow up vid Ry. I followed your plan on making the same charcoal basket last Summer and after 50 or 60 cooks it too is holding up fantastic. I can't say the same for the bottom grate that the charcoal basket sits on as it's totally warped but still works fine. Since I purchased the baffle plates for the OK Joe's I still have those extra grates should I need to replace it. Thanks for sharing and your modification works like a champ. Cheers!
I feel like ur the "everyday man" I've used ur smoked rib recipe and I'm working up to a smoked butt then maybe a brisket...deff gonna use ur vids as help and guidelines
Alright ! I made one for my offset out of the 9 gauge expanded metal and it seems to be doing just fine too. I'm impressed that the thinner gauge metal is doing that good with that much heat n fire on it. Much easier to work with for sure. I wired my corners together too. Good video Ry. Welding is pretty but there is another way which works.
We need to go to a discount house and pick one up. That way, we could cut and tack together light projects. I have done a little bit of dirt dobbing years ago but it was a shop welder. Like you, I have all kinds of ideas.
Nice to make something with your own hands and see it stand up to heavy, extreme use. Congratulations! How is that Oklahoma Joe holding up? It looked pretty rusty in the background, not surprising. I guess I’m wondering if any different care would have reduced the heavy rust I saw? Occasional paint or perhaps some ongoing efforts to keep the outside seasoned with some occasional wipe downs with oil or spray with Pam? I’m interested in a cooker like that but don’t want a rusty bucket after a year.
The only rust on the Joe is the firebox, which I knew would happen. The paint from the factory is not high temp, or not high ENOUGH temp, so it burned off after a few cooks. In the next couple weeks I'll be sanding and repainting that section with high temp paint to see how that does. The rest of the cooker is rust free, and works great :)
Ok. So I’m having some trouble keeping the temperature at 250. I have the highlander for a few weeks and have a charcoal basket. I must be doing something wrong because I’m sitting her watching the temp on the thermo pro and using lump charcoal. Filled the basket, then dumped a 1/4 basket lump on top. Charcoal burned down quickly and i have both vents just about closed and i am sitting at 318 for about 90 minutes. What am I doing wrong??
I prefer briquettes. Lump is usually varying sizes and can burn much hotter that briquettes. Also, I'd add less charcoal, You can always add more, but once you're racing past the intended temp it's difficult to pull back.
@@CookingWithRy Thanks. I also noticed that I had that thermo pro perhaps too close to the fire box. I'm still playing with this thing before I do a cook. I put the thermo pro closer to the center right on the grill. I also added a water pan. That got the temp at a stable 277 for a while but now the coals are starting to burn out and I'm at 237. That took almost three hours. I also tried to put on an apple split I got from fruita wood. Holy cow that thing smoked liked crazy. In fact, it is still smoking like crazy and I don't think I will use the splits. They are clearly too wet and just don't give off clean smoke. Tomorrow I will head to Home Depot and get some briquettes and try again. Thanks.
@@CookingWithRy Maybe there is a mod I am missing. I tried to do what they did on the Oklahoma Joe channel where you fill the charcoal box, put a few chunks in, and just light two starters. I'm stuck at around 280. Which is good if I want a no problem beef rib, but not really low and slow. The firebox is actually completely closed and the exhaust is almost completely closed. Not something I like. Maybe I need to start the fire at only one corner instead of two?
I'd start with less charcoal and small splits of wood. I don't know if you've seen this video, but here is how I prep my wood for use in the highland: th-cam.com/video/IjbqTIRa4eU/w-d-xo.html
Great video. Have you used that basket useing the minion method?.. Not sure if youve done a video on that. Still going through all your vids since i sub'd a couple days ago...thank you.
I made a divider/basket type of thing out of some leftover chicken wire which has held up so far. Probably won't last long but it seems to be doing ok so far for a cheap, 15 minute solution.
If it works it works! I'm not opposed to paying money for something if I don't have the skills/material/time/desire to make it myself, but when those things align it's sorta fun to actually make something and solve the problem :)
James Basoo a lot of that chicken wire is galvanized. Did you check to make sure you weren’t using galvanized wire? Burning galvanized puts off poisonous fumes.
I made this basket for my uds. The only thing I did different was use the 6 in. pieces folded in half as a riser for the basket. Great video.
I made one like you did, but I used a board with another one screwed to it to make a clamp for the bends. I also saved the corner squares, bent them, and used them to re-enforce the corners of the basket. Helps seal the gaps in the corners.
Good ideas :)
I followed your design and made myself one this past spring. I actually used some copper house wire to tie the corners together and it's holding just as good as your rebar ties.
The best part of using the basket is that with my offset, I can pull out the ash drawer without disturbing the fire. It doesn't matter how long I'm cooking, I can always eliminate the excess ash and keep good airflow going around my fire.
That's great that you were able to use it :)
I don't own an OK-Joe or offset smoker but watched your video anyway. Looks like a smart idea and saved you some bucks too. Well done Ry!!
Thank you!
The basket held up pretty well. Cheers Ry!
Thanks!
surprised the smaller gauge held up so long. those fires burn hot!! looks good!!
I've got a very similar basket. I love it, cheap and as you said, just as effective as a bought one. I'll need a bigger one when I pull the trigger on a new offset.
Me, too. 36x36 expanded metal sheet should work :)
You're replacing the Oklahoma Joe's Highland? What are you thinking about getting?
I bought a cheap offset under $100 3 years ago when I wanted to give smoking a try. 3 years later, with some care it is hanging in there just about but I want something bigger with better heat retention and consistency. I'm considering the Old Country BBQ Pits Brazos from Academy.
Eventually I will replace it :)
That’s great news, your first video motivated me to make my own as well...
I was a little bit weary of the rebar ties, lap I opted instead to snip the ends of the expanded metal and fold the tag ends onto the adjoining corners.
Good to see your method worked out though, I guess the rebar ties would usually sit in concrete, meant to last a while... even if cracks form and let water into them.
Your rusty basket that sits outside... if you decide that you don’t like that look, a wire brush and a good coating of oil and seasoning on the grill should bring it back to a good looking state and slow the rusting process in the future...
Happy cooking
Yeah I was pretty pleased after giving it that close look :)
Very cool, i just started using mine. Glad to see it will hold up.
I was very pleased how well it's been holding up :)
Made one using your tutorial good to hear
I’m ordering the expanded metal through your link. Hopefully you get some credit from it. When the metal arrives I’ll follow your video. Mahalo
Thanks so much! Hope the basket works for you as well as it has for me :)
I wanted to thank you for the idea for this. My offset came with a stupid try that is not very useful and this will fit the bill. I too love making stuff cheap.
Saving money is ALWAYS a good thing :)
Hey bro that is a great idea. I will check out the other video as well.
Thanks!
Ry, I love the idea of your basket and followed your link to order the metal. Prices have skyrocketed. The expanded metal is currently $39. I did an Amazon search and found a basket made by Oklahoma Joe's for $32. Just an FYI for you.
Good follow up vid Ry. I followed your plan on making the same charcoal basket last Summer and after 50 or 60 cooks it too is holding up fantastic. I can't say the same for the bottom grate that the charcoal basket sits on as it's totally warped but still works fine. Since I purchased the baffle plates for the OK Joe's I still have those extra grates should I need to replace it. Thanks for sharing and your modification works like a champ. Cheers!
Thanks!
I feel like ur the "everyday man" I've used ur smoked rib recipe and I'm working up to a smoked butt then maybe a brisket...deff gonna use ur vids as help and guidelines
Thanks! I'm just a dude who likes to cook. And eat. And then eat some more :)
Looks like you did a good job. It's no weld, but still more than I can handle. I'm not handy like that
Thanks! If you were closer you could have my spare :)
Mate if you lived closer I’d weld one up for you as a thank you for your amazing videos have helped me ten fold
Thanks! I appreciate the kind words :)
Nice with a follow up :) Love making stuff cheap instead of buying them
I'd rather spend money on what's cooking :)
Cooking With Ry totally agree
Alright ! I made one for my offset out of the 9 gauge expanded metal and it seems to be doing just fine too. I'm impressed that the thinner gauge metal is doing that good with that much heat n fire on it. Much easier to work with for sure. I wired my corners together too. Good video Ry. Welding is pretty but there is another way which works.
So true. I'd still like to teach myself some welding. I hear there's this thing called TH-cam that might have some 'how to' videos :)
We need to go to a discount house and pick one up. That way, we could cut and tack together light projects. I have done a little bit of dirt dobbing years ago but it was a shop welder. Like you, I have all kinds of ideas.
Nice to make something with your own hands and see it stand up to heavy, extreme use. Congratulations! How is that Oklahoma Joe holding up? It looked pretty rusty in the background, not surprising. I guess I’m wondering if any different care would have reduced the heavy rust I saw? Occasional paint or perhaps some ongoing efforts to keep the outside seasoned with some occasional wipe downs with oil or spray with Pam? I’m interested in a cooker like that but don’t want a rusty bucket after a year.
The only rust on the Joe is the firebox, which I knew would happen. The paint from the factory is not high temp, or not high ENOUGH temp, so it burned off after a few cooks. In the next couple weeks I'll be sanding and repainting that section with high temp paint to see how that does. The rest of the cooker is rust free, and works great :)
Ok. So I’m having some trouble keeping the temperature at 250. I have the highlander for a few weeks and have a charcoal basket. I must be doing something wrong because I’m sitting her watching the temp on the thermo pro and using lump charcoal. Filled the basket, then dumped a 1/4 basket lump on top. Charcoal burned down quickly and i have both vents just about closed and i am sitting at 318 for about 90 minutes. What am I doing wrong??
I prefer briquettes. Lump is usually varying sizes and can burn much hotter that briquettes. Also, I'd add less charcoal, You can always add more, but once you're racing past the intended temp it's difficult to pull back.
@@CookingWithRy Thanks. I also noticed that I had that thermo pro perhaps too close to the fire box. I'm still playing with this thing before I do a cook. I put the thermo pro closer to the center right on the grill. I also added a water pan. That got the temp at a stable 277 for a while but now the coals are starting to burn out and I'm at 237. That took almost three hours. I also tried to put on an apple split I got from fruita wood. Holy cow that thing smoked liked crazy. In fact, it is still smoking like crazy and I don't think I will use the splits. They are clearly too wet and just don't give off clean smoke. Tomorrow I will head to Home Depot and get some briquettes and try again.
Thanks.
It takes a while to get used to it and dial it in :)
@@CookingWithRy Maybe there is a mod I am missing. I tried to do what they did on the Oklahoma Joe channel where you fill the charcoal box, put a few chunks in, and just light two starters. I'm stuck at around 280. Which is good if I want a no problem beef rib, but not really low and slow. The firebox is actually completely closed and the exhaust is almost completely closed. Not something I like. Maybe I need to start the fire at only one corner instead of two?
I'd start with less charcoal and small splits of wood. I don't know if you've seen this video, but here is how I prep my wood for use in the highland: th-cam.com/video/IjbqTIRa4eU/w-d-xo.html
May I ask about the thickness of basket metal.
I'm not sure. I just used the standard expanded metal that was available :)
@@CookingWithRy Thanks.
Great video. Have you used that basket useing the minion method?.. Not sure if youve done a video on that. Still going through all your vids since i sub'd a couple days ago...thank you.
Thanks! I haven't done any minion in the basket since I'm usually just firing up a good amount to start the wood in the offset :)
@@CookingWithRy Thank you sir. I might try it when i do my intial burn just to see how long it lasts.
I made a divider/basket type of thing out of some leftover chicken wire which has held up so far. Probably won't last long but it seems to be doing ok so far for a cheap, 15 minute solution.
If it works it works! I'm not opposed to paying money for something if I don't have the skills/material/time/desire to make it myself, but when those things align it's sorta fun to actually make something and solve the problem :)
James Basoo a lot of that chicken wire is galvanized. Did you check to make sure you weren’t using galvanized wire? Burning galvanized puts off poisonous fumes.
Yeah you definitely want to check that.
@@J1978watt thanks for the tip. I'll check