Let me say as a long time lurker, I have really been
able to put the ideas from this group to good use over the
years. Thanks to the active posters on the group my BBQ and
Grilling has improved immensely. We lurkers are usually to
busy or too shy to jump in the fray very often. As you may
have noticed the newbie's rarely keep posting to the group
after a time or two. I think I am one of a butt load of
lurkers out there and just wanted to say thanks.

I have a question about mods to my Char-Griller Duo. I
have often heard references to mods as "I get good results
after a few mods to my rig." So what I would like to know
is, are there any Mods that I should do to my rig to improve
its performance?

This is the new rig...

http://www.geocities.com/jrpitzner/BBQ

Thanks, Joseph

Joseph wrote:
> Let me say as a long time lurker, I have really been able to put the
> ideas from this group to good use over the years. Thanks to the active
> posters on the group my BBQ and Grilling has improved immensely. We
> lurkers are usually to busy or too shy to jump in the fray very often.
> As you may have noticed the newbie's rarely keep posting to the group
> after a time or two. I think I am one of a butt load of lurkers out
> there and just wanted to say thanks.
>
> I have a question about mods to my Char-Griller Duo. I have often
> heard references to mods as "I get good results after a few mods to my
> rig." So what I would like to know is, are there any Mods that I should
> do to my rig to improve its performance?
>
> This is the new rig...
>
> http://www.geocities.com/jrpitzner/BBQ
>
> Thanks, Joseph
>
>

I don't have any suggestions for mods on your new Char-Griller. Very
nice unit. Just try it out and see where you think it is deficient.

I was a lurker to. Long time ago. I think I found out about AFB
shortly after it was founded. I think I have heard that it was founded
around 96.

Your first smoker was also my first smoker. I still have it. It is
resting peacefully in the corner of my patio. I upgraded to a WSM and
am very happy with it.

There is a binary group, (alt.binaries.food) that is a spin off of this
group. Many of the veterans here are also subscribers to that group.
Take some pics, post them on ABF and join in on the fun and learning.
Be warned though, some of the pics posted are not intended for those on
a diet!!! I have heard stories of monitors needing replacement cause
someone stuck a fork through it the food looked so good ;-)

BBQ

"bbq" > wrote in message
. ..
> Joseph wrote:
>> Let me say as a long time lurker, I have really been
>> able to put the ideas from this group to good use over
>> the years. Thanks to the active posters on the group my
>> BBQ and Grilling has improved immensely. We lurkers are
>> usually to busy or too shy to jump in the fray very
>> often. As you may have noticed the newbie's rarely keep
>> posting to the group after a time or two. I think I am
>> one of a butt load of lurkers out there and just wanted
>> to say thanks.
>>
>> I have a question about mods to my Char-Griller Duo.
>> I have often heard references to mods as "I get good
>> results after a few mods to my rig." So what I would
>> like to know is, are there any Mods that I should do to
>> my rig to improve its performance?
>>
>> This is the new rig...
>>
>> http://www.geocities.com/jrpitzner/BBQ
>>
>> Thanks, Joseph
>>
>>
>
> I don't have any suggestions for mods on your new
> Char-Griller. Very nice unit. Just try it out and see
> where you think it is deficient.
>
> I was a lurker to. Long time ago. I think I found out
> about AFB shortly after it was founded. I think I have
> heard that it was founded around 96.
>
> Your first smoker was also my first smoker. I still have
> it. It is resting peacefully in the corner of my patio.
> I upgraded to a WSM and am very happy with it.

The old smoker did pretty good once I started using
lump. Prior to that the temps were hard to keep stable.
Couldn't fire it up and go to bed that's for sure... But it
did get me up for an early morning cup of Joe and I would
definitely hit the beers well before noon...

>
> There is a binary group, (alt.binaries.food) that is a
> spin off of this group. Many of the veterans here are
> also subscribers to that group.
> Take some pics, post them on ABF and join in on the fun
> and learning.
> Be warned though, some of the pics posted are not intended
> for those on a diet!!! I have heard stories of monitors
> needing replacement cause someone stuck a fork through it
> the food looked so good ;-)
>
> BBQ

Thanks, I was over at ABF a while back but haven't had
the time to keep up with it. I'll jump back in.

Joseph

"Joseph" > wrote:
> [ . . . ]
> This is the new rig...
>
> http://www.geocities.com/jrpitzner/BBQ

Hi Joseph. Nice to see another lurker de-cloak!

Two of the most recommended mods are to lower the flu to grate level using
aluminum drain pipe (or as your ingenuity dictates) and putting a baffle
(steel or brick) between the firebox and the smoke chamber.

Looks like ya got some mileage outta yer old smoker. Keep it around for the
heavy liftin'!

Chops look nice.

You can post yer pics on alt.binaries.food, too.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

"Nick Cramer" > wrote in message
...
> "Joseph" > wrote:
>> [ . . . ]
>> This is the new rig...
>>
>> http://www.geocities.com/jrpitzner/BBQ
>
> Hi Joseph. Nice to see another lurker de-cloak!
>
> Two of the most recommended mods are to lower the flu to
> grate level using
> aluminum drain pipe (or as your ingenuity dictates) and
> putting a baffle
> (steel or brick) between the firebox and the smoke
> chamber.
>
> Looks like ya got some mileage outta yer old smoker. Keep
> it around for the
> heavy liftin'!
>
> Chops look nice.

Thanks twice, for the advice and the chops, they turned
out a little dry. I had to slice'em up and serve with
sauce...

Joseph

--

When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or person,
don't be surprised if they learn their lesson.

If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every
now and then to make sure it's still there.

If you find yourself in a hole the first thing to do is stop
diggin'.

Never ask a barber if he thinks you need a haircut.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

--

>>This is the new rig...<<

You gotta licence to drive that thing.

Kidding, actually I'm jelous. RM~

Hey Joseph - POST!

New blood means new subjects and topics, and it will keep the group
alive as well as more fun.

That being said there are forums with whole sections on modding out
the Chargriller.

Check this link out, and you can just start reading:

http://tinyurl.com/3w7dx9

Or go hear (with a cup of coffee!) and look at what folks are doing.
There is a sticky called "Chargriller family" or something like that
which has hundreds of responses. That is in addition to all the
others on that page.

You will find pictures, ideas and tons of good advice on both.

On my Chargriller, I added the flex tube to get the exhaust down to
the grill level, I drilled into the lid and added to new thermos on
each side of the grill at grill level, bought a giant chrome fruit
basket to get rid of their charcoal arrangement in the SFB, and made a
mini baffle to extend the opening from the SFB into the cooking
chamber.

It took longer to gather the parts than it did to execute the mods.
Lowe's had the 3" aluminum flex (dryer) vent and the .99 hose clamp,
and my local restaurant supply had the thermos and fruit basket, and I
used a piece of aluminum to bend an arc into a piece of metal that
just sits inside as a baffle/extension.

With a little work you can make this thing perform like a big boy
cooker. I can easily hold temps in this thing, and the first load of
charcoal/oak mix will go a full three hours without adding fuel.

Here's my personal mod: I bought <two> of those king sized fruit
baskets. At about 2 hours and 45 minutes (actually I look and see how
many live coals and remaining fuel I have left in the burning basket),
I take the second basket filled with fuel and start it with just a few
coals from the chimney.

When it is just lit, I take the burning basket out of the cooker and
pour the remaining coals over the top of the fresh one. With a little
practice, you can get back on temp really fast. Six to seven hours
for ribs can be done with just one fuel change. Works for me!

Robert

Sorry about that. I didn't post the second link.
Here 'tis: http://tinyurl.com/53ol74

Robert

> wrote in message
...
> Hey Joseph - POST!
>
> New blood means new subjects and topics, and it will keep
> the group
> alive as well as more fun.
>
> That being said there are forums with whole sections on
> modding out
> the Chargriller.
>
> Check this link out, and you can just start reading:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3w7dx9
>
> Or go hear (with a cup of coffee!) and look at what folks
> are doing.
> There is a sticky called "Chargriller family" or something
> like that
> which has hundreds of responses. That is in addition to
> all the
> others on that page.
>
> You will find pictures, ideas and tons of good advice on
> both.
>
> On my Chargriller, I added the flex tube to get the
> exhaust down to
> the grill level, I drilled into the lid and added to new
> thermos on
> each side of the grill at grill level, bought a giant
> chrome fruit
> basket to get rid of their charcoal arrangement in the
> SFB, and made a
> mini baffle to extend the opening from the SFB into the
> cooking
> chamber.
>
> It took longer to gather the parts than it did to execute
> the mods.
> Lowe's had the 3" aluminum flex (dryer) vent and the .99
> hose clamp,
> and my local restaurant supply had the thermos and fruit
> basket, and I
> used a piece of aluminum to bend an arc into a piece of
> metal that
> just sits inside as a baffle/extension.
>
> With a little work you can make this thing perform like a
> big boy
> cooker. I can easily hold temps in this thing, and the
> first load of
> charcoal/oak mix will go a full three hours without adding
> fuel.
>
> Here's my personal mod: I bought <two> of those king
> sized fruit
> baskets. At about 2 hours and 45 minutes (actually I look
> and see how
> many live coals and remaining fuel I have left in the
> burning basket),
> I take the second basket filled with fuel and start it
> with just a few
> coals from the chimney.
>
> When it is just lit, I take the burning basket out of the
> cooker and
> pour the remaining coals over the top of the fresh one.
> With a little
> practice, you can get back on temp really fast. Six to
> seven hours
> for ribs can be done with just one fuel change. Works for
> me!
>
> Robert

Great Post! Thanks for all the info. I'll get that
cup of coffee.

I am planning on the remote thermometer install at
grill level. I already have the materials you mentioned
except maybe the 3" pipe clamp.

I smoked ribs first, two racks of baby's and two racks
of spares. plenty of room. Part of the baby's were a
little rubbery but I think the mods may help there.

I really like the slide out tray in the SFB, it did go
three hours before fuel was running out. I filled my
starter and lit it up. when I changed out the fuel I dumped
the old into my old smoker and filled the basket with the
new. I tonged anything worthwhile from the old into the
tray with the new.

Joseph

Dumb question from old Nonny for you smart guys out there to answer:

Why do the tires on gas grills usually have "lugs" on them? Why aren't
they smooth? They are just pushed and not self-driven. I bought a lawn
cart with military-style lug tires and wondered about it, also, since I
pulled it with the tractor.
--
Nonny

Nonnymus
Never believe a person who is
Drunk, Horny or Running for Office.

Nunya Bidnits wrote:
> Nonnymus wrote:
>
>>Dumb question from old Nonny for you smart guys out there to answer:
>>
>>Why do the tires on gas grills usually have "lugs" on them? Why
>>aren't they smooth? They are just pushed and not self-driven. I
>>bought a lawn cart with military-style lug tires and wondered about
>>it, also, since I pulled it with the tractor.
>

> ... maybe its to keep them from sliding around on slick wet muddy
> ground.


Or maybe the lugs help keep the molded tires from collapsing?

GWE

"Joseph" > wrote in
news:C7adneV7XKpcd2vanZ2dnUVZ_t2inZ2d@surewest:

> I tonged anything worthwhile from the old into the
> tray with the new.
>
> Joseph
>
>

I hope you didn't burn your mouth. tonging hot coals sounds dangerous.

I looked at the Duo at Lowes yesterday, and i was , well maybe nit
impressed, but i really liked the setup for the price.

My only concern was the lid handles and attachment. they looked a little
flimsy. with your other mods you might add some different handles. As
always YMMV.



--
Tommy Lee "dreaming of tobasco, lemon pepper prok chops"

"Rob Mills" > wrote in message
...
>>>This is the new rig...<<
>
> You gotta licence to drive that thing.
>
> Kidding, actually I'm jelous. RM~

Funny you should say that, I was looking for better
wheels for it today. It definately needs four not just the
two it came with.

Joseph

--

When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or person,
don't be surprised if they learn their lesson.

If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every
now and then to make sure it's still there.

If you find yourself in a hole the first thing to do is stop
diggin'.

Never ask a barber if he thinks you need a haircut.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

--