2nd grate placement in offset smoker

[RazorbackOK]

Hello all,

I am about to start on my smoker. The Smoke Chamber is 24in O.D. and its 4ft long. I want to put a second grate in above the first one.

Does it matter how high the second grate will be from the bottom one?

When I put my top grate in can the grate span the whole length of the chamber or will I need to add a center support for it.

Thank you for all your help!!!

[SMOKE FREAK]

I dunno...
I would like a second rack in my Longhorn but it would need to be removable...

[RazorbackOK]

Ah I see, should have stated it will be removable.

[SMOKE FREAK]

Well I'm waiting, just like you, to hear where and how it should be done...

[jwbtulsa]

Angle iron on the sides to hold the shelf. My builder made mine a bit to deep. I have to pull it, drop it down, and wrangle it out if needed. A bit of a pain. My suggestion is that whatever you use to hold the shelf, make sure you can pull it straight out with ease. Expanded metal with a good steel edge won't need any addition support.

[SMOKE FREAK]

Angle iron on the sides to hold the shelf. My builder made mine a bit to deep. I have to pull it, drop it down, and wrangle it out if needed. A bit of a pain. My suggestion is that whatever you use to hold the shelf, make sure you can pull it straight out with ease. Expanded metal with a good steel edge won't need any addition support.

Good input...
The spacing between the two grates is important but the other side of the coin is to make it easily removable...

[Conumdrum]

Make it tall enough to fit pork butts at a minimum. Higher if you plan to do multiple turkeys. All I can add.

[RazorbackOK]

Thank you for the information. So really the distance of the grates is driven by the types of meats one will cook. Something I never thought of but I am a newb. Makes sense though. Thanks again

[Richtee]

You MAY want to keep it as low as you can however. Is this a reverse flow unit? I have a second rack in my Lang..and cooking temps are at least 25° higher up there even tho it’s only 8” above the grate. And it IS supported with a center leg. I have been pondering welding some angle back from the door edges to the rear of the cooker, and a support to the rear for a “slide” for it and removing the 5 legs.

[curious aardvark]

I have a second shelf across the whole width of the outlaw - which I think is about 36 inches.
It's stainless steel mesh (think shopping trolley) and with a full loading sags a tiny amount in the middle.
When I'm cooking for a big do it's not unheard of to have 8lb of pork shoulder on one side and 5lb of chicken drumsticks on the other.
So no, as long as you don't use anything too flimsy you won't need any support in the middle.

[Texas-Hunter]

Hello all,

I am about to start on my smoker. The Smoke Chamber is 24in O.D. and its 4ft long. I want to put a second grate in above the first one.

Does it matter how high the second grate will be from the bottom one?

When I put my top grate in can the grate span the whole length of the chamber or will I need to add a center support for it.

Thank you for all your help!!!

Hopefully this will shed some light on what you need..

No you will not need a center support, you need some 1x1 angle, 1/2" expanded metal..

Well I'm waiting, just like you, to hear where and how it should be done...

Craig here is the latest Mod I did on my longhorn.. The second rack and yes it can be removed..

[SMOKE FREAK]

Thanks Ken...That gives me ideas...

Now I just gotta learn to weld

[RazorbackOK]

Thank you Texas-hunter! Already have that stuff layin around so I can get started on it tomorrow.

[Texas-Hunter]

Anytime guys.. I went shallow on the top rack mostly to do ribs and chicken quarters fast.. But I have had a time or two that I could use the extra space to smoke a larger amount of brisket or pork butt..

[Bkndsdl]

What he said. 5" is about as high as I'd go from the bottom grate.