Great mod and video. I made a charcoal ring from expanded metal and used rivets to secure the pieces. I didn’t have another ring to “mold” mine, so I turned the charcoal grate upside down and formed it against/inside the round metal lip of the grate. This resulted in a charcoal ring of 16” diameter. I riveted 2 old Smokey grates (offset the holes and cover in foil to use). I also bought a 20” by 1/2” pizza pan that I set on top of the diffuser for a water/drip pan. The pan fits perfectly below the cooking grate. I have also used a DIGIQ or InkBird fan controller with this setup.
The Mod King strikes again! Mad Swine BBQ did something similar for the Kettle 26. Pizza pan only tho, but got the WSM charcoal ring and put the pizza pan on top. I like the idea of the old smokey charcoal grate, cheers!
Hey Tom I have a mod for the 14 inch smokey Joe. I know you have this and it doesn't cost you anything. I did chicken thighs and they turned out really good. Use the diffuser plate and grill from your cook air grill on your smokey Joe it fits pretty well. Give me a little credit but your videos inspired me
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ wow that was a fast reply I really appreciate all the great videos you guys do. I don't even use my stove anymore. Keep the videos coming and thanks for making my day a little better
Thanks for the video, your mods are awesome! In my search for for the pizza pans i did find a LavaLock FireDial Baffle Plate Heat Management System for Charcoal BBQ and Barbecue Smokers, UDS, WSM, Kettle (for 22 in. Kettle) this does fit in Weber 22in kettle, just a thought.
Hey sir! I built a variation of your basket and used your exact plan for the heat deflector. I'm running an experiment now and I'll let you know the results. I usually use a Slow n Sear for my smokes but I'm hoping to get the grill space back and do overnight cooks. Thanks for the inspiration!
@@jrtoy704 I also have a Slow n' Sear. I can usually get a solid 6-7 hours out of a SnS. I was able to get almost 9 hours of very steady heat from the Hillbilly Kamado/Pizza Pan method. I could probably do an overnight cook without too much sleep loss. Just make sure you keep the bottom vents clear of ash. I just recently cooked chicken and short ribs. I had so much more space on the grill and the temps were really rock steady. Somewhere between 212-255 the whole time and I didn't have to mess with the vents much. While I will likely upgrade my grill at some point (I am eyeing the Weber Summit Kamado), this is a great option and it was a lot of fun to make. I think it cost me $50 or less? Give it a shot!
Awesome Sam! Glad it worked out for you! One way to keep the vents free of ash is to install a smoke hole like the one on the SNS kettle. Here’s a video I did on it and probe hole. th-cam.com/video/ZR8aAW-qMzs/w-d-xo.html
Quite the fabricator. SlowhandSmoke and Bbq makes a Nice basket check him out. He has 1/4 diffuser plate also. I was able to get fire ring and aluminum diffuser plate from Cajon bandit it has capacity to smoke a butt without refueling. Looking forward to your testing. Also aura outdoor products has nice kettle zone system heavy duty stainless with ceramic inserts. With all of these it makes a majority of your grate space available for indirect cooking. My opinion is Weber needs to make ring 17" x 4" then they have something.
I ordered the aura kettle zone system from Home Depot and the stone was broken during shipping. I just got a refund but I was looking forward to using as it is a very nice kit. I like that it raises the grill height
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ haha sorry for not explaining myself too good. What I meant was how would I go about in building a diffuser for my 26 inch webber kettle using a pizza pan would it be the same size on pizza pan that you used for the 22?
Here’s the video, if you could find a bigger pizza pan then use that….th-cam.com/video/QdeNRoUPPIc/w-d-xo.html Here’s another option, meant for a 22” but will fit in a 26”…th-cam.com/video/DBcn0ZGqvqU/w-d-xo.html
Does a wood chunk fits into the holes of the original charcoal ring? I ask, because after a few hours I asume there will be no smoke or just a little bit, and you will have to refill with wood. Maybe its an extra addition to your excelent items. Congrats!
Thanks for watching! You would need to somewhat disassemble in order todo so if you put wood chunks in various areas of the ring then you would get smoke through out the cook
Thanks for Watching! It may sit to high, not sure what the actual dimensions are but someone else stated 4.5" which would put it at the drill grate height
Great video Tom thank you. I’ve never used a diffuser plate, excuse my ignorance but does the bbq need to be perfectly flat to ensure heat rises all around the plate? I was just wondering if the bbq or plate was tilted upwards slightly towards the top vent would the opposite side remain cooler? I’m probably wrong but if you don’t ask…….
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ thanks Tom, I’ve sub’d, I’ve been BBQ’ing for more years than I care to remember but always used direct heat method, just getting into low and slow and low and sear - what a difference! My 20+ year old Smokey Joe and 22 inch Webber’s are still going strong and I’ve even made a basket for the Joe so I can cook smaller stuff indirectly, now I can’t stop cooking!!
This is cool for the people who want the diffuser plate w/o having to buy another kettle. But Tom kept saying he'd leave links in the description but I don't see any links...
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ Thank you, I think I misunderstood. I thought you were also going to leave them in the description. You don't have to put them in the comments. I'll go back through the video and look them up. Thank you.
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ No worries. I'm sorry if I came across as bitchy, I really didn't mean to. I was just confused (which, tbh, is kind of a default state for me. LOL).
Hey Tom! You've done it again! Showing those who don't want to spend top dollar on the original .........make it for yourself and save bucks! 👍 Can You cast the new Weber emblem?.......I need to have that! 😁 👍 Awesome Vid! Metal On! \m/
Tom, awesome mod project. I'll be warming up my angle grinder tomorrow! Thanks again. PS. What's going on with the sound? Hard to understand you at times.
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ Sounds like mic is muffled, until scene changes, then sound comes back clear and strong. Not like too far from mic with that hollow sound, just muffled like mic is under a jacket. Probably just me but sound seems to work fine about 50% of video. Hope that helps. Really enjoy your vids. Don't want to miss a word. Nice workshop too. Where do you park your cars? Ha. These grill guys should hire you as a consultant so they get it right the first time.
Did you make your height 3 inches high, and how wide did you make it? Would two pizza pans be enough? You just turn both upside down and bolt together? If running at 274-300 degrees would this size be good for all meats. Thanks for your help?
Thanks for Watching! 16” wide 3” high, 2 would work but if it gets too hot they will melt, steel would be better. Both upside down and bolted together, yes good for meats
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ I found some firebricks and I cut them to size and got two pizza pans. Is the charcoal ring really necessary or should the firebricks work? Appreciate your help
Great job, Tom! I've been meaning to ask, but do you think that instead of constructing the diffuser the way you did that a single pizza pan would work about as well?
Awesome! I'm really stuck on wanting the summit kamado, but a 26er with this setup I can't imagine the price difference would be worth it at that point. I like the idea of being able to use the entire cook surface rather than offsetting with a slow n sear.
Hi Tom; excellent and exciting mod! I really want to build one of these, but I have some reservations I was hoping you might clear up. I have heard that aluminum pizza pans don't handle the extreme heat from a large charcoal fire practically touching them. Claims range from "You'll warp it or even burn holes in it," to "The heat will cause the metal to leach poisonous compounds into the air and into your food. " I've been looking for stainless, or even just steel pans, to match weber's stainless diffuser plate. Do you think that's necessary? Are the above concerns valid?
Thanks for Watching! Aluminum melts at 1200 degrees, I think that’s what everyone is concerned about. This is strictly for low and slow that’s what Weber designed there’s for. I haven’t found any SS steel pizza pans did find some cast iron but nothing 18” in diameter. You could have it custom made from a steel fabricator. As far as warping that’s why I have the 3 separate disks with an air gap to handle any warping as so far no warping or signs of burn through. If you are concerned then don’t build it. Thanks again for Watching and commenting!
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ Thanks for the fast reply, man! Lookie what I finally found. :) These are 18 inch wide 200 series stainless steel drip pans. This pan is actually pretty hefty -- much better than most aluminum pizza pans I've had. Almost an inch deep, for grease and water. 16 bucks, and you only need one, as far as I can tell. ceramicgrillstore.com/products/18-round-stainless-drip-pan-xl I also bought the perforated metal online, cut to spec. 16 gauge, 1/2 inch perforated, 304 stainless steel; cut to 48 x 3 inches (for a 15 inch diameter charcoal basket) at Metals Depot. 30 bucks, not including shipping. all I need to do is fasten it together once it arrives. Should come together nicely!
Tom, I would like to know more about your thoughts on the Old Smokey. I see them advertised from time to time. They are dirt cheap, so I am of the opinion they are probably not worth a darn. Would you agree?
Greg Mrvich of TH-cam's Ballistic Barbecue channel has dubbed Tom Horsman, the "Rube Goldberg" of TH-cam BBQ! Perfect! Too bad Tom isn't an epidemiological scientist; he could probably modify for the better a future Covid19 vaccine!
Great mod and video. I made a charcoal ring from expanded metal and used rivets to secure the pieces. I didn’t have another ring to “mold” mine, so I turned the charcoal grate upside down and formed it against/inside the round metal lip of the grate. This resulted in a charcoal ring of 16” diameter. I riveted 2 old Smokey grates (offset the holes and cover in foil to use). I also bought a 20” by 1/2” pizza pan that I set on top of the diffuser for a water/drip pan. The pan fits perfectly below the cooking grate. I have also used a DIGIQ or InkBird fan controller with this setup.
Thanks for Watching! Nicely Done!
Thanks Tom for the quick response! You rock!!
Thanks for Watching!
The Mod King strikes again! Mad Swine BBQ did something similar for the Kettle 26. Pizza pan only tho, but got the WSM charcoal ring and put the pizza pan on top. I like the idea of the old smokey charcoal grate, cheers!
Thanks for Watching! I appreciate you Watching and commenting, Thank you!
Hi Tom, ordered my diffuser and basket from Weber today. They are now available separately. It’s called a low & slow kit.
Thanks for watching Scott! Good to know! Thanks
That is a right nice job Tom I will be checking out part 2
Thanks Mike!
Hey Tom I have a mod for the 14 inch smokey Joe. I know you have this and it doesn't cost you anything. I did chicken thighs and they turned out really good. Use the diffuser plate and grill from your cook air grill on your smokey Joe it fits pretty well. Give me a little credit but your videos inspired me
Thanks for Watching Tom! The Cook Air Grill! There’s a blast from the past! I’ll take a look! Thanks Tom!
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ wow that was a fast reply I really appreciate all the great videos you guys do. I don't even use my stove anymore. Keep the videos coming and thanks for making my day a little better
Thanks Tom! Appreciate the feedback!
Thanks for the video, your mods are awesome! In my search for for the pizza pans i did find a LavaLock FireDial Baffle Plate Heat Management System for Charcoal BBQ and Barbecue Smokers, UDS, WSM, Kettle (for 22 in. Kettle) this does fit in Weber 22in kettle, just a thought.
Thanks for Watching Sydney! I appreciate the information! Thank you
Another great idea from the Mod Master himself. Nice job 👍🏻
Thanks Michael! I appreciate you Watching!
Hey sir! I built a variation of your basket and used your exact plan for the heat deflector. I'm running an experiment now and I'll let you know the results. I usually use a Slow n Sear for my smokes but I'm hoping to get the grill space back and do overnight cooks. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks for Watching Sam! Good Luck! I hope it all works for you!
Let us know how it goes. I’d like to see a run time comparison SnS vs “pizza pan”
@@jrtoy704 I also have a Slow n' Sear. I can usually get a solid 6-7 hours out of a SnS. I was able to get almost 9 hours of very steady heat from the Hillbilly Kamado/Pizza Pan method. I could probably do an overnight cook without too much sleep loss. Just make sure you keep the bottom vents clear of ash. I just recently cooked chicken and short ribs. I had so much more space on the grill and the temps were really rock steady. Somewhere between 212-255 the whole time and I didn't have to mess with the vents much. While I will likely upgrade my grill at some point (I am eyeing the Weber Summit Kamado), this is a great option and it was a lot of fun to make. I think it cost me $50 or less? Give it a shot!
Awesome Sam! Glad it worked out for you! One way to keep the vents free of ash is to install a smoke hole like the one on the SNS kettle. Here’s a video I did on it and probe hole.
th-cam.com/video/ZR8aAW-qMzs/w-d-xo.html
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ thanks so much!
Thanks for another great video! What happened to the links to the materials?
Thanks for Watching Joe! I’ll take a look
Really nice video Tom! When I watched your tour video of your arsenal, I wondered how many were modified. I'm betting most of them! Nicely done!
Thanks Jay! You are correct! Most of them! Thanks for watching!
Great Idea! Thanks for this Tom!
Thanks for Watching Tim!
Really cool. You have alot of webers i thought we had alot. Lol really cool. Hope all is well.
Thanks for Watching!
Quite the fabricator. SlowhandSmoke and Bbq makes a Nice basket check him out. He has 1/4 diffuser plate also. I was able to get fire ring and aluminum diffuser plate from Cajon bandit it has capacity to smoke a butt without refueling. Looking forward to your testing. Also aura outdoor products has nice kettle zone system heavy duty stainless with ceramic inserts. With all of these it makes a majority of your grate space available for indirect cooking. My opinion is Weber needs to make ring 17" x 4" then they have something.
Thanks for Watching John! I appreciate the insight and information!
I ordered the aura kettle zone system from Home Depot and the stone was broken during shipping. I just got a refund but I was looking forward to using as it is a very nice kit. I like that it raises the grill height
Ok, I’ll check it out, Thanks again!
or get a 22 WSM charcoal ring and push the 22 kettle bottom grate right in... fits like a glove!
Ok, Thanks for Watching!
looking forward to part 2! subscribed
Thanks Jack! I appreciate you Watching and subscribing!
Great mod Tom! Looking forward to part 2! Cheers!
Thanks Jack! I appreciate you Watching!
Once again your mods are spot on!!! PS I’ll join the others, where’s the links? They’re not in the comment section. Thanks
Thanks for Watching! I just looked again, and yes they are in the comment section....
How to add a Side Shelf to your Weber 22” Kettle th-cam.com/video/POVJtFppEqw/w-d-xo.html
I need this for my 26 inch weber...any suggestions on pizza pan size or how I may assemble it??
Thanks for watching Ernie! Not sure what you asking
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ haha sorry for not explaining myself too good. What I meant was how would I go about in building a diffuser for my 26 inch webber kettle using a pizza pan would it be the same size on pizza pan that you used for the 22?
Here’s the video, if you could find a bigger pizza pan then use that….th-cam.com/video/QdeNRoUPPIc/w-d-xo.html
Here’s another option, meant for a 22” but will fit in a 26”…th-cam.com/video/DBcn0ZGqvqU/w-d-xo.html
Does a wood chunk fits into the holes of the original charcoal ring? I ask, because after a few hours I asume there will be no smoke or just a little bit, and you will have to refill with wood.
Maybe its an extra addition to your excelent items.
Congrats!
Thanks for watching! You would need to somewhat disassemble in order todo so if you put wood chunks in various areas of the ring then you would get smoke through out the cook
Thank you for this very useful video!
Thanks for Watching Donnie!
Dope content! Wish I had the space to cut that mesh.
Thanks for Watching!
I was thinking....could you just get a wsm fire ring for this? Cheers Tom!
Thanks for Watching! It may sit to high, not sure what the actual dimensions are but someone else stated 4.5" which would put it at the drill grate height
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ ahh that makes sense....I could just go measure the one I have but that would involve raking the cover off lol
Great video Tom thank you. I’ve never used a diffuser plate, excuse my ignorance but does the bbq need to be perfectly flat to ensure heat rises all around the plate? I was just wondering if the bbq or plate was tilted upwards slightly towards the top vent would the opposite side remain cooler?
I’m probably wrong but if you don’t ask…….
Thanks for Watching Barry! Good question! The flatter the better
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ thanks Tom, I’ve sub’d, I’ve been BBQ’ing for more years than I care to remember but always used direct heat method, just getting into low and slow and low and sear - what a difference! My 20+ year old Smokey Joe and 22 inch Webber’s are still going strong and I’ve even made a basket for the Joe so I can cook smaller stuff indirectly, now I can’t stop cooking!!
Thanks for the feedback Barry! Enjoy
I love you, was just thinking of how is do this to my new kettle
You had to know that it was coming... Thanks for Watching!
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ any upgrades I always check on her 😁
Tom, can you make the charcoal ring taller ? That would give you more charcoal capacity which would give you longer cook times
Thanks for Watching! Yes you could, you are limited by the grill grate height, but definitely you could get another inch
Any idea how well the aluminum heat shield holds up to repeated use?
Thanks for watching! Good question, so far it has held up surprisingly well
Hey Tom, This is one of your best yet.. Where are the links for the products used?
Thanks Larry! The links are in the comment section! I appreciate you Watching and commenting!
This is cool for the people who want the diffuser plate w/o having to buy another kettle.
But Tom kept saying he'd leave links in the description but I don't see any links...
Thanks for Watching! Links are in the video, but I’ll leave then in the comments also
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ Thank you, I think I misunderstood. I thought you were also going to leave them in the description. You don't have to put them in the comments. I'll go back through the video and look them up.
Thank you.
Thanks Ness! I did say that though, just haven’t had the chance yet...
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ No worries. I'm sorry if I came across as bitchy, I really didn't mean to. I was just confused (which, tbh, is kind of a default state for me. LOL).
It’s all good! Thanks for Watching!
Hey Tom! You've done it again! Showing those who don't want to spend top dollar on the original .........make it for yourself and save bucks! 👍
Can You cast the new Weber emblem?.......I need to have that! 😁 👍 Awesome Vid! Metal On! \m/
Thanks Kent! Casting would be difficult, I appreciate you Watching!
Tom, awesome mod project. I'll be warming up my angle grinder tomorrow! Thanks again. PS. What's going on with the sound? Hard to understand you at times.
Thanks for Watching Tom! Not sure, you’re the first to say that...
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ Sounds like mic is muffled, until scene changes, then sound comes back clear and strong. Not like too far from mic with that hollow sound, just muffled like mic is under a jacket. Probably just me but sound seems to work fine about 50% of video. Hope that helps. Really enjoy your vids. Don't want to miss a word. Nice workshop too. Where do you park your cars? Ha. These grill guys should hire you as a consultant so they get it right the first time.
Thanks Tom! I appreciate you Watching!
Did you make your height 3 inches high, and how wide did you make it? Would two pizza pans be enough? You just turn both upside down and bolt together? If running at 274-300 degrees would this size be good for all meats. Thanks for your help?
Thanks for Watching! 16” wide 3” high, 2 would work but if it gets too hot they will melt, steel would be better. Both upside down and bolted together, yes good for meats
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ thank you so much for your help
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ I found some firebricks and I cut them to size and got two pizza pans. Is the charcoal ring really necessary or should the firebricks work? Appreciate your help
That should work just fine! Can’t wait to hear your results! Awesome!
Great job, Tom!
I've been meaning to ask, but do you think that instead of constructing the diffuser the way you did that a single pizza pan would work about as well?
Thanks for Watching Jeff! Because of the heat it would warp pretty easily that’s why I did what I did
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ thanks! Maybe I will hold out for stainless lol
Hey Tom, have you had a chance to see the fuel efficiency on this during the winter months? Or in the wind?
Thanks for watching! I have not tried it yet this winter, hopefully this weekend
Awesome! I'm really stuck on wanting the summit kamado, but a 26er with this setup I can't imagine the price difference would be worth it at that point. I like the idea of being able to use the entire cook surface rather than offsetting with a slow n sear.
I agree, it does give more useable space
Dumb question sorry, what were the final dimensions of the new basket? 3 inches high and what was the diameter?
Thanks for watching! 18” across
Hi Tom; excellent and exciting mod! I really want to build one of these, but I have some reservations I was hoping you might clear up. I have heard that aluminum pizza pans don't handle the extreme heat from a large charcoal fire practically touching them. Claims range from "You'll warp it or even burn holes in it," to "The heat will cause the metal to leach poisonous compounds into the air and into your food. " I've been looking for stainless, or even just steel pans, to match weber's stainless diffuser plate. Do you think that's necessary? Are the above concerns valid?
Thanks for Watching! Aluminum melts at 1200 degrees, I think that’s what everyone is concerned about. This is strictly for low and slow that’s what Weber designed there’s for. I haven’t found any SS steel pizza pans did find some cast iron but nothing 18” in diameter. You could have it custom made from a steel fabricator. As far as warping that’s why I have the 3 separate disks with an air gap to handle any warping as so far no warping or signs of burn through. If you are concerned then don’t build it. Thanks again for Watching and commenting!
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ Thanks for the fast reply, man! Lookie what I finally found. :) These are 18 inch wide 200 series stainless steel drip pans. This pan is actually pretty hefty -- much better than most aluminum pizza pans I've had. Almost an inch deep, for grease and water. 16 bucks, and you only need one, as far as I can tell.
ceramicgrillstore.com/products/18-round-stainless-drip-pan-xl
I also bought the perforated metal online, cut to spec. 16 gauge, 1/2 inch perforated, 304 stainless steel; cut to 48 x 3 inches (for a 15 inch diameter charcoal basket) at Metals Depot. 30 bucks, not including shipping. all I need to do is fasten it together once it arrives. Should come together nicely!
Weber's Charcoal baskets looks like it's from a Weber Smokey Mountain
Thanks for watching Joe! This one is more shallow in depth
thanks for this, much appreciated.
Thanks for Watching!
Tom, I would like to know more about your thoughts on the Old Smokey. I see them advertised from time to time. They are dirt cheap, so I am of the opinion they are probably not worth a darn. Would you agree?
Thanks for Watching Dave! They are no Weber...I’ve had one and did a fair amount of mods to it. th-cam.com/video/7FqXG1qdfoQ/w-d-xo.html
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ no
Lol!
Old Smokey Products. www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/at-a-glance.html/ref=dp_merchant_link?ie=UTF8&seller=AG6J6JFNXMV4N
I can not find the links for the parts needed.
Thanks for Watching www.snsgrills.com Its an item that you need to ask for
Here’s the link to the 18” pizza trays www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CIEJZ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The mod king!
Yes I am! Thanks for Watching!
No links?
Sent
The Pizza 18” pans...www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CIEJZ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Where's the links?
Thanks for Watching Matthew! The links are in the video and in the comment section.
Greg Mrvich of TH-cam's Ballistic Barbecue channel has dubbed Tom Horsman, the "Rube Goldberg" of TH-cam BBQ! Perfect! Too bad Tom isn't an epidemiological scientist; he could probably modify for the better a future Covid19 vaccine!
Lol! Thanks for Watching!
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ
Oh Man, you're welcome!
What is the dept you would have at most.www.grillparts.com/weber/weber-smokey-mountain-parts.asp?product_id=85032
Thanks for sharing!
Tom. I really didn't need this mod but you got me wanting one. Waiting on pans. Thanks for nothing
Lol! Sorry Randall! I appreciate you watching!
@@TomHorsmanAmateurBBQ that was a real pain in the ass trying to get the pans lined up straight
Ok... but in the end it worked?