off-set fire maintenance

The friendliest place on the web for anyone that enjoys cooking.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
When I had a big offset smoker I would burn red oak down to coals and then add one or two hickory splits every hour or so.

Smaller offsets work good with a charcoal basket and wood chunks as long as there are no unwanted holes in the fire box.
 
Cliff H. said:
When I had a big offset smoker I would burn red oak down to coals and then add one or two hickory splits every hour or so.

Smaller offsets work good with a charcoal basket and wood chunks as long as there are no unwanted holes in the fire box.
Click to expand...

Ditto. A good bed of coals is key as well as preheated DRY wood! The wood should pretty much instantaneously ignite, not smolder....
 
Larry Wolfe said:
[quote="Cliff H.":71o7soyh]When I had a big offset smoker I would burn red oak down to coals and then add one or two hickory splits every hour or so.

Smaller offsets work good with a charcoal basket and wood chunks as long as there are no unwanted holes in the fire box.
Click to expand...

Ditto. A good bed of coals is key as well as preheated DRY wood! The wood should pretty much instantaneously ignite, not smolder....[/quote:71o7soyh]That is pretty much the way ole Dave Klose told to me to do it. Pre heating the wood ignites pretty quick and seems easier to control fire. If I'm trying to keep a temp of 225-275 I will add 1-2 pieces of wood every 30-40 minutes or if I'm trying to maintain 300-350 it will take 3-4 pieces. Also found that the type of wood I'm burning makes a difference too.
 
I have a small offset... I like to use lump and bank the fire...I use the lump for heat and the wood for flavor....I can get at least a 2.5hr burn with out playing with anything and the temp stays solid
 
Never thought of preheating the wood. My Horizon has a heating plate on the firebox - great idea!

As far as using charcoal - here are some thoughts I have. I am trying to stick with wood because for me it's cheaper. I can but 900lbs for $50. Of course, I have to haul it and cut it - but that's kind of fun.

That said - perhaps that simply isn't a good idea. Maybe spending the money on charcoal - at least for a bet of coals will produce a better product- which is the point.

I'm taking lots of notes and learning a lot from y'all. Thanks! Keep your thoughts coming if you have 'em. Any of you use strictly wood for fuel?
 
monty3777 said:
Never thought of preheating the wood. My Horizon has a heating plate on the firebox - great idea!

As far as using charcoal - here are some thoughts I have. I am trying to stick with wood because for me it's cheaper. I can but 900lbs for $50. Of course, I have to haul it and cut it - but that's kind of fun.
That said - perhaps that simply isn't a good idea. Maybe spending the money on charcoal - at least for a bet of coals will produce a better product- which is the point.

I'm taking lots of notes and learning a lot from y'all. Thanks! Keep your thoughts coming if you have 'em. Any of you use strictly wood for fuel?
Click to expand...
Come on over to my house and you can have lots of fun.
 
At the time I got my offset...I could get charcoal cheap..good stuff..cheap in 40lb bags..anyway

With the way I do it...I don't get the temp spikes from adding wood..then it catches...temp spike..then it calms down...then its time to add more wood...ect....

Keep in mind its a small offset and it works for me...The big thing is doing what works for you and having fun experimenting
 
wittdog said:
At the time I got my offset...I could get charcoal cheap..good stuff..cheap in 40lb bags..anyway

With the way I do it...I don't get the temp spikes from adding wood..then it catches...temp spike..then it calms down...then its time to add more wood...ect....

Keep in mind its a small offset and it works for me...The big thing is doing what works for you and having fun experimenting
Click to expand...

Researching this topic has been a blast. I love to tend fires and it's amazing how many of my assumptions about what makes a good fire have been wrong. I have also been suprised at how little there is out there on this topic!!
 
Well I cant quite figger out if you got a big pit or a little pit..perhaps midsized would be the propa terminology. If it happen to be considered big I would not waste money on using charcoal in it..especially if you got free wood. On the other hand with a small pit..a charcoal base with some wood for flavor works very well as described by Witt. Much easier to control the temp spikes and such thangs. Guess like somebody else say might be the best plan to play with it and see which way it likes to swing. It could be one of them AC/DC pits which swings both ways. Just trying to cover all the bases here. Do you have a firegrate in it by any chance?

bigwheel



monty3777 said:
Never thought of preheating the wood. My Horizon has a heating plate on the firebox - great idea!

As far as using charcoal - here are some thoughts I have. I am trying to stick with wood because for me it's cheaper. I can but 900lbs for $50. Of course, I have to haul it and cut it - but that's kind of fun.

That said - perhaps that simply isn't a good idea. Maybe spending the money on charcoal - at least for a bet of coals will produce a better product- which is the point.

I'm taking lots of notes and learning a lot from y'all. Thanks! Keep your thoughts coming if you have 'em. Any of you use strictly wood for fuel?
Click to expand...
 
bigwheel said:
Well I cant quite figger out if you got a big pit or a little pit..perhaps midsized would be the propa terminology.

Do you have a firegrate in it by any chance?

bigwheel
Click to expand...

Here's a video of the cooker - if it helps.
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xm9xobG-pLI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xm9xobG-pLI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
 
Definitely preheat your wood on top of that firebox. Your wood should be as close to combustion point as possible when you add it to the fire. When I had my old Klose w/o the insulated firebox, it would actually start fire on there on occassion. I never give much thought to the actual construction of the wood in the fire. Never use charcoal either. As Wheeler said, if you have fre wood, why?
 
Well that was a very entertaining and enlightning video. I think that would classify as a big pit and best used with real wood especially since you get it free. Now on the one clear pic I got of the fire grate will tell ya its way too wide on the slats. A design like that will drop all your good coals on the bottom of the pit. It needs at least some large weave expanded metal on top of whut you already got. Now I got a cast iron oil field cat walk grate on mine. That works real good with maybe a little tighter weave so it keeps your fire all in the same general location. Your air intakes is a basket case. If you ever get industrious go look at a Klose and copy Dave's design as close as you can. Intake should span the entire width of the firebox and be infinitely adjustable at periodic intervals allowing for as much intake above the fire as below. Simple huh? Actually if you want to do it up right it needs a square and mo bigga firebox. Get rid of that log lighter while your at it..them thangs is dangerous. Seen a fella erupt into a ball of fire one time because of one. Now why them yankees insist on calling the Noo Yawk Crutch a Texas Crutch..I just aint sure. They even use Reynolds wrap in the crockpot from whut I heered. Yes Jim we are now very political correct down here in God's Country and AC/DC be just fine among consenting bbq pits. Now why they don't have beastiality pride parades yet...I just aint sure. I know some bbq cooks over in Sommerville County who would be glad to participate :LOL:

bigwheel
 
as i see it
i don't have a lot exp in comps,but i'm learning
i have been q-ing for 11 yrs or so with my offset, home made
barbie, one thing i've leraned over the yrs. is that all the bark
should be off the splits, well seasoned, and dry, now i've have
burned the splits down to coals then shovled them in the fire
box,, the burn box is more under control w/o great spikes,and
it makes a differance in the end product. to me the art is in the
control and the time it takes to achive it
THANKS
 
My Klose Ultimate is 30x8 on the main. I usually start with a chimney full of either lump or briquettes to sped up a bed of coals. On top of that I'll throw 3-4 quarter sticks facing the baffle and open everything wide with exhaust about 2/3 open. After about an hour or so, I check and adjust the dampers. After it's running for a while, 1 preheated stick about every 1:05 seems to work. This can be longer or shorter depending upon air temp, wind, barometric pressure, and humidiy...all factors in combustion.
 
Jamesb your so rigth,,it takes more wood two burn 2 pits,, yes it is more work, but like the 1st member stated free wood, mine is not free ,, I get pd to cut it n haul it...I just wish I got some hickory more offten,,, with char. costing $4-7 a bag i don't find it the best value so i use what i got oak, cherry, & maple and NO soft wood not even to start it up
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Seeking Recommendations on Wood Fired Pizza Oven
Replies
7
Views
698
taxlady
taxlady
P
Seeking Advice on Liquid Filling Machine
Replies
3
Views
558
Kathleen
Kathleen
larry_stewart
My oven crapped out, looking for a new one
2
Replies
33
Views
734
blissful
blissful
D
2024 NFL Draft - The #1 Pick
Replies
2
Views
309
caseydog
caseydog
taxlady
Browned cream
2
Replies
25
Views
631
taxlady
taxlady

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom