Massive Improvement in 'firepot airflow' (pics)

Thanks for sharing that, Roger. That is a big reason for this forum!

It really helped me to seal like you did. I hope some of this R&D work gets back to CS or Eddy. I see a lot of things that I would do different but having worked in the real world of production deadlines, I understand that sometimes it's small things that get overlooked when numbers are on the line.

Thanks gentlemen.
I agree with the assembly line restraints and truly think the cookers are VERY well made.
I have looked it over with a fine-toothed comb and if all I can do is find a few little areas to "fix up" by splashing a little silicone on then I`m a very happy cooker.
I`m sure the cooker would have worked just fine without me doing it but it has simply directed ALL the draft fan induced air where it is supposed to go......ALL OF IT.
My list of past and present smokers have included a Brinkman Smoke'N Pit, A Big Green Egg, Two Primo Ceramics, A weber gas grill,a Broil King gas grill, a towable Holstein 7240 Pig Roaster and an Ole Hickory CTO and this FEC-100 is as good as the best of them or better in terms of fit and finish not to mention the quality of the welds and the stainless steel.

Not to mention a brand specific forum where the designer and a cookshack owner actually frequent the board and provide input.

As far as any electronics go, well ANY componant can fail at any time on ANY brand of cooker.........I just hope it doesn`t happen to me...lol
p.s, if you choose to seal your seams as I have, just make sure you let the silicone cure for the time listed on the product....and get the highest temp stuff you can.......I used Permatex Ultra Copper high heat silicone, good for 700º
Thanks guys.
Roger

CS isn't really an assembly line, they use the Lean Manfacturing approach so pretty much one guy or team builds one smoker.

I haven't had the draft issues, but if it's common enough, you may have hit on some ideas.

100% always get back with CS direct. They'll drop in now and then and the it may be weeks before they come back. Taking the ideas to them direct is always a good thing, so they don't miss the good details.

Before I'd go with the silicone, I'd give a call to CS. Solving the airflow "tightness" may be a good thing, but I'll defer to CS before recommending any mods. I know Stuart (President and Chief of R&D) always loves feedback, so drop a line to him and point to the link.

Keep also in mind they have to go with NSF & UL requirements, so anything there will have requirements around that will have to be considered.

Hi Russ, I would like to point out for clarity that I didn`t post those pics out of criticism of the cooker, the production process or the fit and finish.
(I know you didn`t accuse me of that)
I merely posted to show how I tightened up the direction of draft fan induced air.
Like I had mentioned, I`m sure the cooker would have been perfectly fine had I not applied a little silicone.
I have chosen not to contact anyone at cookshack with respect to this issue because quite frankly, there wasn`t an issue really.
I think my specific issue had more to do with me cleaning out the firepot more than anything...BUT BUT BUT.
I will try to do any little tweeks I can to improve things like keeping the heat in, help the air get to where its needed as well as using as little fuel as possible and with the little tweek I made, I`m hoping to just make it a titch more efficient.
I will say this and it is without question, my draft fan is doing more idling now than before with the induced air going directly to the firepot instead of wafting out in ten other places......
I certainly would not consider any modifications that may knock the dynamics of the cooker off and most certainly wouldn`t consider them without the direction and acceptance of the service dept at Cookshack.
I love the cooker in every way.......put it this way, if Cookshack asked me if I wanted a new one to replace it I would answer 'no thanks'.....this one is perfect/
I just wanted to clarify that Russ.
Thanks very much........now can I hit you up for some Brisket tips?
I`m going to do my first in the cooker soon..
Thanks .
Mop

quote:

Originally posted by Mop:
Hi Russ, I would like to point out for clarity that I didn`t post those pics out of criticism of the cooker, the production process or the fit and finish.
(I know you didn`t accuse me of that)
Mop

Never even thought that, I just thought since you had some great info there, I wanted to make sure CS saw it

Good stuff.
Thanks Russ, appreciate it sir.
Roger

I will make sure that this information gets to our production manager. Thanks for the excellent feedback!

Hi Donna, you are most welcome ma'am.
here is some more serious 'feedback'.
Had to do another batch of beef ribs again last night...