Converting SmokeFire to Charcoal


 
R

Ray J.

TVWBB Fan
I am an avid charcoal grill user as I own the WSM, Performer, Weber kettle, and Vision grills.

I notice that from time to time there are good deals on used/broken smokefire grills and was thinking if anyone has converted the smokefire (preferable EX6) to run on charcoal?

I was thinking that a charcoal grate/basket would need to be added to the bottom and a vent for a Thermoworks Smoke (which I already own) to assist in controlling temperatures.

I am only in the "thinking" stage at this point and I like the design of the EX6 which got me thinking.
 
Yea. It's like setting up a gasser for charcoal, it could be done but with the vents in the back how hard will it be to control temps?
 
As to why it is a way to have a charcoal grill with a rectangular cooking surface. With the original design, wouldn't grease fires also be a concern?
As mentioned using charcoal baskets could create a direct/indirect zone. The design of the SmokeFire with a deep "firebox" would be a candidate for converting to charcoal.

Controlling temps would be done with my Thermoworks Billows/Smoke combo by using the existing pellet port to mount the Billows and keep the existing vents in the back. If needed I could also fabricate some sheet metal to close off some of the vents but based on my experience with the Billows for my vision grill, closing off the top vent was unnecessary as the inlet air vent is adjustable.
 
EricV. said:
If you want or need a rectangular charcoal grill, buy a PK.....
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I much prefer a porcelain coated grill.

Also this would be a "hobby" type of project as it would be simpler/quicker to purchase a rectangular charcoal grill and I like the design of the smokefire.
 
You have some compelling reasons and logic behind a conversion and now--while I have no personal interest in converting my SF--I'm kinda looking forward to seeing your work.
 
BFletcher said:
You have some compelling reasons and logic behind a conversion and now--while I have no personal interest in converting my SF--I'm kinda looking forward to seeing your work.
Click to expand...
At this point I am in the "idea" phase of this project. If I land a deal on a broken SF EX6 I will post my progress.

One "issue" that I have is to be able to channel the ash into the ash removal drawer or find other means (shop vac) to remove ash from the bottom of the grill.
 
<scratches head> A charcoal grill or smoker, as noted by others, is completely different from a pellet device. A pellet grill/smoker has a controlled auger as well as an ignition source, and the obvious control system. The only sort of automated feed into a charcoal fire is a gravity fed charcoal smoker (I built one,) but it is a smoker, not really a grill. I wouldn't want to run my smoker up at searing temps as I don't want to risk warping the door.

I did run a horizontal offset for a years and fought HARD with air leaks. Yes, it was an economy device. I had bought it with the intent of a dual purpose, being able to both grill and smoke. IMO, you won't get a horizontal offset up to searing temps in the firebox, you'll need to build a fire in the cook chamber under the cooking grates. I ended up keeping my small charcoal grill as I decided that I didn't want to load the cook chamber up with ash (and the ensuing cleaning.)

I'm a bit lucky (okay, fussy,) I do have a charcoal grill and a charcoal smoker. The grill is used for high heat direct cooking, and the smoker is long low and slow cooks. Neither of these are cheap, though, after fighting the cheap horizontal offset, I went BIG.

Tl;dr: I don't really see any way to effectively convert any pellet device to a charcoal burner. At best, pull the electrics/electronics out and just build a fire in the bottom. It'll work..... sort of.
 
Love my SmokeFire, I feel like it’s too thin to handle charcoal. If you reenforced the bottom it could work, removing the burn pot would give you plenty of area to sweep ashes to the ash pan.
3 good side vents in the back though could cause an issue with temp control.
 
Would be like putting charcoal in a big cheap mailbox. I think you would burn through grill with the high heat of charcoal. Even a Weber kettle is much better built.
 
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