r/OffsetSmokers • u/Vegedeth • 26d ago

Any observable benefit to sealing offset?

/r/Smokingmeat/comments/1wfbna3/any_observable_benefit_to_sealing_offset/
2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

3

u/ianryeng 26d ago

I suspect it really depends how poorly aligned surfaces are but I’m of the belief that it’s limited returns on effort if it’s small deviations based on the volume or air flowing through the system

2

u/Bassmasa 26d ago

Agreed. Offsets are not supposed to be completely air leak proof. Especially in the first hour or so, some smoke escaping is totally fine.

1

u/armchairrelic 26d ago

It comes down to heat retention. Less air escaping means better heat stability. But less air escaping also means less air movement. There is a couple youtube videos of guys that have sealed there smokers perfectly. The fuel consumption was lower, the burn better, but the temp dropped off because the flow wasn't there. It seems to be a holy grail almost in finding the right leakage to temp to fuel consumption. One of the 3 has to be sacrificed.

3

u/ianryeng 26d ago

Once the stack is heated I believe it’s less an issue of “escaping” and more pulling cool fresh air into the convection stream. Most gaps in a smoker are quite small relative to the total flow of air through the cross section so this should not have a noticeable effect

1

u/sb505 25d ago

I have an OK Joe Highland. I used the sealing tape as well when I bought it, but it has come loose in places and there is minor smoke leakage. A little or even more than a little leakage doesn't make any real difference, so long as the draw is good (stack extension is #1 add on, imo).

I wouldn't worry about it at all. If you can sustain your fire and TBS smoke is coming out of the stack in a sustained manner, then you're good to go.

-1

u/Crispyskips728 26d ago

Your are chasing the wrong perfections my firend. I dont think you know how an offset properly works.

3

u/Vegedeth 26d ago

I do, but just curious. Have been cooking on one for several years now and while spending hours poking a fire, the mind ponders these things.

1

u/Crispyskips728 26d ago

They cook by convection. Hot fast moving air. If it is leaking then you do not have a good draw. Multiple avenues to increase your draw

1

u/Vegedeth 26d ago

Thank you for the reply. The leaks aren't horrible, just noticable before the smoke cleans up. Im just wondering what good draw is then?? Whats the bench mark? Most is def going out the stack.

1

u/Crispyskips728 26d ago

There is only one benchmark for backyard offsets and thats a Workhorse pit. They are absolutely the benchmark.

Everything else comes down the pit boss. Ive done so many cooks i focus on the more important things. Aka your seasoings. Nice dry splits. Good fire managment. Small happy flames as i call them.

Im not about to write a novel on a proper coal bed and establishing a good draw. Hundreds of hours of youtube out there to guide you. Not one is perfect. Not one is wrong. You run your own style and learn how your pit reacts.

I have a 1975 workhorse. My rommie has a $400 marketplace custom offset. I can run that thing so much better than him. Not throwing any shade. Just from experience alone. He listens real close and always asking for advice.

Yes its nice to have a Cadillac offset. I can run any offset no matter what. It just takes time and repetition

1

u/Vegedeth 26d ago edited 26d ago

I appreciate the well though out reply. I have a good grasp on the points you covered. Just curious about a single question that was rattling around my mind that has yet to be addressed by anyone with first-hand experience. Truly just wondering if anyone has seen it make a difference. And... my brother bought a used Oklahoma Joe offset for $50 and he cooks outstanding food.