Oklahoma Joe Modifications with welded smoker box updates
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ค. 2017
- This is an update video to show how the mods I made are working on my Oklahoma Joe. I must say that that I am happy with my smoker. Also, please make sure you "season" anything new you add to the cooking or smoking chamber. I had to throw away some meat because I didn't season the charcoal basket. The next cook was fine. If you are interested in the accessories, please find them at the link below.
amzn.to/2rdwSKO Lump Charcoal
amzn.to/2rMDTTH Thermo Pro
amzn.to/2s4Usr7 Chimney Starter
Please like, share, and comment. I welcome your questions and comments. Be safe! - กีฬา
I don't use a basket and doubt if i buy one for my Ok Joe's smoker. What works great for me is I haven taken the two grates in the firebox put them at a angle which then makes a ( V ) then I have a old cake pan underneath to catch all the burn ash. I get plenty air underneath, everything channels down to the center of the fire box and best of all clean up is too easy. After I'm done even if the coals are still Hot I just pull out the pan and dump it in my steel bucket & I'm Done..... Some of you all should try that. Works 4 me. :)
Great idea DJ! I'm working on another solution too! Be safe my friend!
You and I have the almost the same setup sir. I welded my firebox just like you did after I saw your video about doing it several months ago. It looks like your welded area is not protected by paint though. I would pick up some black HIGH TEMP paint, and spray a few coats over the welded area to protect it from rusting. I think welding is the best mod you can do for this smoker.
I still have my cooking grates, but use a tuning plate, which I am still learning on. I concur with you on the charcoal box. If you guys reading this don't have one, get one! It makes it easier to manage heat and for clean up.
I do have an elbow as well on my stack, but may need to try what you use. Mine is OK, but is not holding up as well. I also have the clamps for the cooking lid and the strips of seals around the lip, which does a fantastic job of keeping the heat in and smoke. The grill does not breath out smoke or heat at all with my setup. I don't have clamps on the firebox like yours, but do have a seal around the lip lid. It works good for my setup.
I also, like you did, added aluminum foil to the bottom of the smoker. I just did this yesterday as I was cleaning out the smoker and preparing for a pork butt smoke. Wish I would of though of that sooner.
Its a great smoker so far, and I am still learning on it. I screwed up a brisket a few months ago back while learning on this smoker (dried out the brisket pretty bad). My old smoker was a charbroil, which I had down pat, but the damn thing could not hold up to rust, heat and constant use. I smoke a lot. The OK-Joe is a beast and is holding up well, it just smokes a bit different than those cheap charbroils.
Keep it up, thank you for your service as LEO, and keep on smokin'!!!!!
Shoe Thank you so much for your comment. I do need to get some paint on it and I will soon. Glad the mods worked out for the most part and be safe my friend!
From one LEO in Florida to another LEO, great videos and mods brother!! I really like the fire box mods and it is wielded to the smoke chamber!! I just added a heat baffle to mine and was thinking about the fire box being wielded to the smoke chamber. Be safe out there and always watch your six!!
Thank you so much. I was just in Florida on a detail. I met a lot of our brothers and sisters there. Everyone was sooo nice. It was awesome! I have added a baffle plate to and I love it. Be safe my friend and happy smoking!
You need a cover to cook from on that slab of concrete. Thanks for the videos!
Gotta show my wife this! Thanks for the comment and be safe!
1st and foremost, thank you for your service! Just as it is in military service, It takes a different breed to do what we do on both sides of the spectrum. 2) I am on-board with most of your mods, and with a bit of tweaking, you will have the perfect setup without a doubt! 3) Tweaking - the major "tweak" would be Not to weld the firebox to the cooking chamber. Being that our OKJ is made of steel, rust prevention and maint. (around the firebox especially) is nearly impossible if it is welded. I recommend using the same high temp calk that you used around the rest of the firebox in order to make it easier to remove and monitor/treat rust formations between the main chamber and your fuel source w/o using a grinder to break the welds. Replacing calk is much easier. Another mod that I noticed: Your grill grates. Great choice going with 3/4-9 expanded metal, the only thing I noticed in order to make it better, is to have a few stiffeners welded in order to keep it from sagging and or misshaping over time .1/4 - 5/16" rod should do the trick quite nicely. Last mod tweak that I noticed is the thermometer. Yes, you do have the Thermapro, Keep that, however, regarding the stock thermometer, you can remove the existing probe and relocate it to the cooking area of the grill surface (purchase a 2nd and repeat on the other side of the cooking chamber). Obviously, this will provide you with 2 more therm references in addition to what you already have with your thermapro and will read just as accurately as it is guaging temp from the same area of the grilling surface. Sorry for the rambling... but I Hope all of that makes sense. Smoke on brother. Thanks again for your service!
Thank you so much for your comments Harry. We all help each other with our individual experiences with these smokers. I learn something every time I fire it up! I take everything in from every comment and try and use different techniques to see what works best for me. Thank you sooo much for your comments and be safe my friend!
@@MarcusandMarcusInc Watching and Learning from you and others has helped me a great deal. Like you said, "Im not a pro.." Me either. Thank you for contributing. The OKJ is an animal all of itself, and has a huge learning curve. Looking forward to growing and learning together. Looking forward to your next video. Enjoy
Put a drain hole in the bottom of the mane cooking chamber to wash out the ash and slats that may gather.
Also wash out the fire box with a hose too.
Nice video.
Thank you Worth Doss. Be safe my friend!
very helpful information. Thank you
Thanks for your comment James and be safe!
Thank you for your service, sir
Nice video sir.
I have the maze firebox, I had it custom made to fit my OK joes Bandara...works like a champ!
Welds are good but, gasket's will do the job if you do not have access to a welder.
Thank you so much for your comment. Be safe my friend!
Cool mods big dawg. I’ve never used lump charcoal but I’ve been thinking about it. I’m gonna give it a shot next time. Cool video bro 🙏🏽
Thank you Ryan. I think you will love the lump, especially on a long cook. Be safe my friend!
The BBQ Cop do you use wood when you use that?
@@ryanrodriguez3736 yes. I typically use it for heat. It does give some smoke, but I like more than what it gives.
The BBQ Cop cool, thanks!!
Be safe my friend!
very nice sir. I definitely need a new offset smoker mine has seen better days. I just finished a 1946 refrigerator converted to a electric smoker on my channel for my first set of vids. again great video sir.
Thank you Corby Q. One of my good friends has done the same with one of his freezers and it works great. Thanks for your comment and be safe my friend!
Great video!
Thank you Gary! Be safe my friend.
You can get a nice stainless steel firebox on Amazon for $29.99.
Thanks for the info Mike! Be safe out there.
You need to get some baffles for that thing. Transforms the way you cook, by a LOT. It also gives you twice the cooking surface because you only have a few degrees worth of heat variance.
Thanks for your duty.
Thanks for your comment Tucker. I have used mine enough to still have great cooks without them. I have tried some in the past and didn't like the results. My Thermo Pro keeps me in the game with my temp control. I can also monitor the temp of an item away from the fire box too. I appreciate you recognizing my duty my friend. That means a lot!
Like your style bro.bbq on
Thank you my friend. Be safe out there!
That's my next grill
I love mine! I hope you enjoy yours. Be safe my friend!
First and foremost, I want to thank you for your service to the great State of Georgia as a LEO. My hat is off to you my friend. On another note, I just picked up my OK Joe's Highland smoker yesterday from Lowe's for an incredible price of $199.99! I haven't assembled it yet as I'm waiting on my mod orders from Amazon including the same model remote thermometer. I too intend to have the firebox halves welded together then welded on the cooking box. I also intend to have an expanded steel firebox welded up as well as the smoke stack. I do have a question: I want to replace my cooking grates with expanded steel and I was wondering what gauge steel yours are? I located a website that sells Expanded Mild Flattened Steel 3/4", 9 gauge 24" X 24" for $16.91 plus shipping. I def want to replace the standard porcelain grates with these. Great vids and I look forward to many more.
Thank you, William. I love what I do I am so proud so many people are appreciative. You will absolutely love the mods. I can't wait for my next cook. That is a great price, too. I just spoke with my supplier and the size and thickness of the expanded steel is the same as what you have listed here. One thing I do recommend is wait until you get everything ready and season it all at one time. If you season it and then add the replacement grates, make sure you season them before you eat any meat off of them. The longer and hotter the better. The more you cook the better it will seal itself. I am so glad I got mine and did the mods. I wish you all the luck in the world my friend. Don't hesitate to ask a question if you think I can help. Be blessed and be safe!
Thank you for your kind reply sir. I intend to follow your instructions and after watching many other vids about the OK Joe's smoker mods I find your's are the most detailed and informative. I must say that I did order the steel baffle plates to regulate the smoke however, I intend to experiment with different set ups. I was thinking about locating the locking latches about 4 to 5 inches above the lower edge of the smoker lid to prevent any upper mid lid warping, but I don't want to drill multiple holes where I don't want them in the long run. Filling them with replacement bolts and caulk would def ruin my day, lol. I'm not a total stranger to smoking foods but this is my first offset barrel smoker and trying to live on a dime while retired is a challenge to say the least. I want to thank you again for your reply and stay safe out there my friend, for you and your family. Have a great 4th of July!
Great stuff sir. I was in Wal-Mart today lookong at this smoker. Im seriously considering buying it. What are the name of the grates you're using?
Lee V Matthews Jr it is expanded steel. Anywhere that sells steel should have it. It comes in one long sheet that you cut to fit. One sheet should be more than enough. Make sure you season it before you cook on it. Happy smoking my friend! Be safe.
When having your highland welded did your welder suggest welding the seam inside the firebox where it pieces together and where it connects to the cooking chamber? Also I side the cooking chamber where the chimney connects? I noticed you have it welded on the outside
Thanks for your question. He welded it inside and out to make sure it wouldn't leak. He lined up the bolt holes and did the welds that way. His contact information should be in one of my videos. He would be more than happy to answer any of your questions. Be safe my friend!
@@MarcusandMarcusInc Thanks, my guy just welded the inside seams to start. We will see how this holds up if needed I will have him well the outer seams.
When you use the B & B charcoal do you let it turn all the way white before you start your cook? If so how long will they usually burn?
Thanks for your question. I did let them turn almost all white and it burned for at least 4 or 5 hours. It burns hot, but it is a little more difficult to start with a chimney starter so be patient. A torch would be faster starting it. Hope this helps and be safe my friend.
If you don't mind me asking, how expensive was it to have the welds done, plus the charcoal basket?
keith melton I have a connection with a welder who gave me a deal he probably won't give to anyone else. He is ok giving out his number if you wanted to ask him what he charges. It is in the description section of my first video when I put it together. He did the basket too.
I just dont understand your placement of the nomex gasket under the firebox lid. They're not making contact with the firebox at all.
Hey Nick, and thanks for your comment. You are absolutely right. They don't contact anything. I messed up trying to place them. The clamps do the trick for me to fix that, and they still work well to this day. Thanks again for your comments, and be safe out there!
@@MarcusandMarcusInc just had me confused. I thought you were trying something new. I just welded mine today.
I love mine! The welds are holding up and it keeps the heat inside for a long time. Thanks again for your comments and be safe my friend! Don't forget to subscribe.
First,...thank you for your dedication to serve and protect. All of my brother in laws (4), are in law enforcement in Louisiana. Secondly, great vids on the Oklahoma Joe Mods. I bought one yesterday from Lowes. My question for you is: Have you used the larger side of the pit (left) to grill on and not use the smoker box? I intend on smoking once in a long while. Because my wife has a health issue that causes her to NOT eat any meats that have been smoked for long periods. So I bought this grill to use the larger side for charcoal. I plan on taking out the grates from the smoker box side and use them to hold up the charcoal on the left side, and just grill like usual. For indirect cooking I suppose. I was just wondering if you have used the grill like this and if you had any good luck ? Thx for any input!
Mike, thank you for those kind words. I take my career seriously and I love policing just as much as I like BBQ. I'm sorry to hear about your wife and I hope she gets better. I have done a video that should help you out. I smoked some chicken and beef ribs using indirect heat in the main cooking chamber. To control the amount of smoke to protect your wife I suggest either buying charcoal that has the wood flavor you like and make sure the coal are ash white before cooking or limit the amount of wood you add to the fire. I use chunks instead of logs. They are easier to manage and you can just not add anymore if you get the desired result you are looking for. Here is the link to the video I did. God bless you and your family and feel free to ask any further questions that may help you! th-cam.com/video/910yG3qyz74/w-d-xo.html
Awesome sir!! I just watched it. I'll be trying that method out this weekend, hopefully. If not, very soon though. I also learned,...that uh,....I cant watch the videos at work....make me incredibly hungry hahaha!! Thank you again!
Anytime my friend. That was one of the best cooks I've done. Happy smoking my friend. Be safe!
Not to be insensitive but why would you buy a "real" smoker to grill on........... So many better options if you are just looking to grill. Although if you want to dump 30+ bucks in charcoal to cook a few hot dogs and hamburgers on this beast more power to you!
Would of been better off with a weber kettle if you are looking to grill most of the time, and in those rare instances you want to smoke something you could do that as well with the magic of indirect.
No sound to this video
It may something going on with your device my friend. I am listening to it now. I played it on my phone and a desktop and it works fine. Be safe my friend!
The BBQ Cop, now it’s working.i really liked seeing the video of the firebox being welded to the barrel.Im going to be picking up a Oklahoma joe longhorn reverse flow next month and I had planned on doing a lot of welding to it.Also look up lavalock, they sell a system so you can have a top self.Smoke on brother and be safe out there.