unattended burn in offset?

Any type of purchased BBQ Pit.

Moderator: TBBQF Deputies

js-tx USER_AVATAR
js-tx
Cowboy
Posts: 435
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:23 am
Location: San Antonio, TX
Contact:

unattended burn in offset?

Postby js-tx » Sat Aug 17, 2019 6:42 pm

Anybody ever loaded up an offset firebox with a fire basket of lump and get some nice burn time on it? I'm thinking an insulated firebox would help that unattended burn..?
chasdev USER_AVATAR
Chasdev
Outlaw
Posts: 1011
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 10:50 am
Location: Austin, Tx.
Contact:

Re: unattended burn in offset?

Postby Chasdev » Sun Aug 18, 2019 7:04 am

I've tossed chunks of hardwood lump in there during a cook when my coal base was getting low and I needed a cheat, but never added lots at once.
If you knew in advance where to set the intake vent to prevent the charcoal going 2000 degrees it would probably work but leaving the vent set where seasoned oak likes it might provide too much air for the lump...
bsooner75 USER_AVATAR
bsooner75
High Plains Smoker
Posts: 8537
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:34 pm
Location: Little Elm, TX
Contact:

Re: unattended burn in offset?

Postby bsooner75 » Sun Aug 18, 2019 7:22 am

Stumbled across this on instagram from Malcolm Reed and immediately thought of your question.


ImageImageImage


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
k.a.m. USER_AVATAR
k.a.m.
Chuck Wagon
Posts: 3741
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:38 pm
Contact:

Re: unattended burn in offset?

Postby k.a.m. » Sun Aug 18, 2019 7:59 am

In years past I have read where folks have tried it and the results were varied mostly do to the cooker itself. What happens in most cases is to achieve a certain temp you need a desired amount of intake air and coal base. This in turn allows your charcoal fuse to super heat and totally ignite and run away.
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
txsmkmstr USER_AVATAR
txsmkmstr
Bandolero
Posts: 628
Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:13 pm
Location: TX
Contact:

Re: unattended burn in offset?

Postby txsmkmstr » Sun Aug 18, 2019 8:54 am

Yup... Total fail every time I've tried it... Which was once. :whiteflag:
Custom LSG 24x40 - 36" Blackstone - (others - R & O FatGirl, ETSC RK-250, Tejas 1628 - all sold)
allenayres USER_AVATAR
allenayres
Rustler
Posts: 188
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2018 3:10 pm
Location: Beaumont
Contact:

Re: unattended burn in offset?

Postby allenayres » Sun Aug 18, 2019 6:16 pm

I put a chimney of lump in then light another chimney of lump and pour it on top. It gives a nice base for a few hours, but I only use wood splits afterwards to maintain temps.
js-tx USER_AVATAR
js-tx
Cowboy
Posts: 435
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:23 am
Location: San Antonio, TX
Contact:

Re: unattended burn in offset?

Postby js-tx » Tue Aug 20, 2019 4:30 pm

Thanks for the info guys!

I think a coal base would ignite any fuel put on top like KAM mentioned.. maybe removing all burning fuel/embers and put it on top of unlit fuel.. I guess like you would on a drum. It would take some experimentation for sure. I don't have an offset but thinking about getting one soon.. best of both worlds type of setup would be nice.. but tricky. I'll check out Malcoms post.
joetee USER_AVATAR
Joetee
Pilgrim
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2020 4:38 pm
Location: Georgetown, KY
Contact:

Re: unattended burn in offset?

Postby Joetee » Sun Jan 03, 2021 2:04 pm

Here's what I'm thinking...
On long cooks.
They say the meat really only needs 4 or 5 hours of smoke in the beginning.
So about that time I would want some sleep for a few hours.
I'm thinking pushing your fire to the rear when it's time to reload. Then using my air controller and charcoal in the front of the basket.
This in theory should work. I'll be giving it a try.
So after I have my Knap I could go back to wood if I needed/wanted to.
joetee USER_AVATAR
Joetee
Pilgrim
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2020 4:38 pm
Location: Georgetown, KY
Contact:

Re: unattended burn in offset?

Postby Joetee » Wed Jan 20, 2021 4:28 pm

I just read a post on another forum about this topic.
Another guy made a fairly large charcoal basket large enough to fit in the fire box. Filled it with unlit charcoal. Then added a small amount of lit to the front by the door. Closed the fire box vent. Used an air controller and it road pretty good temp wise for several hours.
He used this after the 4 of 5 hours of wood fire for the smoke.
He said it worked great.
I don't see why it wouldn't.
1moreford USER_AVATAR
1MoreFord
Rustler
Posts: 124
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 7:41 pm
Location: Arkansas
Contact:

Re: unattended burn in offset?

Postby 1MoreFord » Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:44 pm

I used to know a guy who loaded down his firebox in a propane tank built pit. He could get it to go several hours at a time but he terribly over smoked everything since his fire was smoldering.
Joe

Falcon MKV Gas Grill w/Grill Grates, OK Joe Longhorn now gone, CharGriller Akorn, Camp Chef 24SG, and Weber 22" OTG

Return to “BBQ Pits - Offset and Vertical Smokers”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests