valve90210

Ok, i'll give it a go without water. 

On the Callow (first gen) I've always had to have the top vent fully open to get enough airflow through. On the later models they added a second vent to allow better air flow to draw more air in but I guess with the fan doing the job of putting air as required that's not necessary. 

I'll have a measure of the vent when I get home and let you know. Do you do the adapters like the one posted Here?

I'm hoping to get a chance to have a short test run of my new smartfire this evening with my first generation Callow. My fire basket as the modded mesh bottom (thanks @Wade) and for today I'm probably just looking at using water in the pan, though at some point i'd like to give sand a try.

From what I've read round and about, I'm thinking the following setup should be my starting point.

• Top vent fully open
• 2 bottom vents closed
• Adapter on third vent
• firebasket setup as a minion with lit coals to the side opposite the position of the SF

Does this sound about right?

Any thoughts on adding a foil baffle round the top of the fire basket to ensure air goes through the basket?

Any thoughts much appreciated 

Good going Ice!

13 hours ago, Icefever said:

I've just done the same,  should be here by Friday hope so then I can have a play with it over the weekend.....  cost also the same as the frontier    don't tell the piggy bank, it knows nothing at the moment.

 

Ice.

Excellent stuff, I'm unfortunately away this weekend so won't get a chance to give it a try, it's just sitting there on my kitchen side taunting me at the moment!! 😂

Howdy, welcome to the forum. 

I have to ask, what have you use for the finish on the table, it looks fab and I'd love to get that finish on a cable reel table I have in my garden!!

I ordered it from Macs BBQ purely for ease and certainty of price with no customs costs to worry about. 

It's due to be delivered to me today.

I hope to be able to give it a test before Billing!

I don't generally have too much of a problem with temp spikes in the Callow, but my past experience with the QMaster Lite gave me some horrible spikes when the fan had been going, I'm hoping this controller will be a bit more intelligent (especially with the lid open detection feature) and combined with the sand will give me nice stable controllable temps when I want to be smoking but also need to be getting on with things around the house. 

As you say it''s a pricey bit of kit but one that can be moved from smoker to smoker  so with some care should be worth the money. 

Thanks. I think I'll probably most likely be using it on my callow (1st gen). I intend to get sand for the water bowl as well to give a good heat sink to iron out spikes in the temps. 

Fortunately I have no one to answer to (besides my bank balance...lol). 😂

Oops, just accidentally ordered one of these...I'm sure I'll find the money somewhere.... lol. 

Inkbird

1 hour ago, Icefever said:

No promlem dude,  Rosie will be happy to help out, unless you want to try your hand at one??? ☺️

 

Ice.

I'll see how I go, I'm crazy busy at the moment but will shout if needs be.

14 minutes ago, Icefever said:

We're bringing ours,  so if @Wade is bringing his also that will be two to cook on.

 

Ice.

Awesome, I'll get myself sort with some gluten free mix (just purely so I can have one! 😂)

I should think of something to do really... I might give roast potatoes another go this year and hopefully actually get some cooked this year. lol. 

Also thinking maybe a pulled pork or a pulled lamb?

@Wade Will the crepe machine be making an appearance? I might bring along some gluten-free mix if so 

I'm hoping to get back to being more active on here at some point soon, life has been a bit of a rollercoaster this year but hopefully things are settling down a bit now. 

Maidstone

I'll be there - in a pod and hopefully not bringing torrential rain with me the moment i arrive like last year!!

You sure you need it @Wade wouldn't you rather I had it? 😂

This looks great, I might have a look at getting myself a unit and giving it a whirl, see how it compares to my other thermometers. A quick question, are the probe proprietary or are they a standard probe for which replacements can be easily obtained? Seeing the design seemingly without any kind of silicone shielding where the wire enters the probe it's fairly like that at some point replacements will be require if anyone is a little overeager when it comes to washing them.

Looks amazing!!  What restaurant is it?  I may have to investigate!!

I get most of my meat from my local Morrisons, usually really good. They tended to only have rolled briskets but they now do a pastrami style brisket, it's great because it's flat so you get a really good idea of the size of the joint, and it's got a great marinade with it. I've smoked a couple now and have to say I was impressed, lovely and simple if you want a very quick to prepare piece of meat to stick in the smoker. Ok they're not massive but they're a decent price so I have purchased 2 or 3 each time I've done them.

Maidstone, Kent :)

I've got the Aicok one here, had it about a year now and it's been brilliant. Any time I'm smoking I try to make sure I've filled the smoker and once it's all done I portion up any extra, vac pack it and stick in the freezer for later.

3 hours ago, Justin said:

Angle grinder, beast of inaccurate cuttting but has it uses.. Use dremel or hacksaw for anything refined

Depends somewhat on the user....?

A mate of mine restores cars and can create pretty much any shape of panel with nought but clamps and an angle grinder

Looks great, well done! Such a nice sense of satisfaction when people like the food you've cooked! :)