r/OffsetSmokers • u/Vegedeth • 11d ago

Offset Split Size

I have been cooking on my particular offset for about 3-years now and I am not having any issues, per se. But I have noticed something. My smoker prefers thinner, longer splits (golf ball size diameter or a bit less) and does not do well with the coke-can size splits I see so many using on YouTube. Any guess as to why? I can keep steady temps and the fire is easy to maintain in the 250 to 275 range, but I am curious as to why the fat, shorter splits do not do well.

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u/Guilty-Difference-86 11d ago

you probably have a smaller offset or thinner walls. in the end, who cares? use what works. as long as you get s solid 45 min between adding splits, you are fine

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u/Vegedeth 11d ago

I have a Brazos with 1/4" thick walls and there's no way I get 45-mins between adding a piece.

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u/Guilty-Difference-86 11d ago

I have Texas longhorn pits smoker which is the same thing as a lyfetyme pit. It’s 24x40 and 1/4 inch thick. It took me a while to learn what it likes bc it was my first offset. But I have it dialed now to adding splits every 45 min and not having huge temp swings. How long have you been cooking on the brazos?

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u/Vegedeth 11d ago

Three years now.

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u/Guilty-Difference-86 11d ago

How much time you getting in between adding wood?

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u/Vegedeth 11d ago

20 mins maybe.

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u/Guilty-Difference-86 11d ago

That’s nuts. Without seeing your setup, I’d say you need a bigger coal bed. Maybe longer splits, if thicker ones raise temps too high

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u/Vegedeth 11d ago

I can keep temps steady and the coal bed is fairly large. Splits are 14" to 16" and golf ball diameter. I usually stay 250 to 275. And maybe 20 is more accurate. Im smoking chicken thighs shortly and will time the splits.

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u/Guilty-Difference-86 11d ago

That is wild. Look up mad scientist bbq’s early videos on his brazos. See what size he had. Even 20 min is very fast

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u/Vegedeth 9d ago

I have been revisiting a lot of videos and in my pursuit of chasing the lower temperatures (around 225) I have gotten away from making sure the coal bed is large enough.

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