Which Flame Tamer?

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Ken S

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I've already added a curved heat deflector for my PB1600PSE, now wondering which flame tamer to get. I see that "Smokes Like A Boss" has the original two window design, plus a three window and a four window model available. Anybody have thoughts on which one's better? As a newbie here I'll apologize in advance if this topic has already been beat to death. And no, I haven't checked my actual temps yet. All I can say for sure is that my baby back ribs cooked evenly on the left side and right side. So my goal is mostly to soften out a presumed hot spot right above the burn pot.

Thanks in advance!

Ken
 
I got the original flame tamer. I actually asked the guy at Smokes Like A Boss if there was much of a difference and he said there wasn't. I'm betting if you had them side by side you couldn't tell the difference in temps but I'm not sure. I have an Austin Onyx XL Pit Boss. The flame tamer evens out the temps, mainly over the hot pot. I'm not a pro but my advice to you, if you're a 'newbie' is to don't sweat the details too much and enjoy the smoke!
 
I have the same Onyx series Austin XL. I chose the 4 window flame tamer. Eliminated hot spot at sear grate. Worked for me.
smokeslikeaboss.com

4 Window Flame Tamer (Patent Pending)

Which mod is right for me? Click here. Includes 1 stainless steel flame tamer with slots. This will get rid of the hot spot over the fire pot and help even out temperatures across the grates. You can place with the opening either front to back or side to side, whichever works best for your Boss...
smokeslikeaboss.com
 
Thank you guys for bumping this thread, I completely forgot to post my results. I tried a 3 window on my PB1600PSE, and it actually seemed to make heat distribution worse. Pics below show a biscuit test with and without. As you can see my smoker has decent side to side, and a slightly cooler back side without any flame tamer, which is why I decided to try a three window. After the 3 window failed my wife advised me to stop fixing things that aren't broke. I had to agree because 1) I'm not having hot spot issues with my cooks and 2) she's always right anyway. :ROFLMAO: Keep in mind though, my 1600PSE is a different animal with venting all along the back instead of through a chimney on the end. I'm not hating on Flame Tamers at all, it seems like quite a few people do get good results with different models.

P.S. Those smoked biscuits are some mighty fine eating!
 

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I finally did a cook yesterday with my new "4" window flame tamer, and as Goldilocks would say, this one seems to be just right. Smoked a pork loin at 225 and used three thermometers on the middle rack to see what was actually happening. Happy to say the PB controller and all three thermometers held rock steady at 225. At some point I'll do another biscuit test, but for now I can say that the 4 window seems to keep my 1600PSE temps more uniform than the 3 window or no flame tamer at all.
 

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So if you install the flame tamer you lose the direct flame searing ability with opening the grate, correct? When I smoke wings I like to finish them with about 10 minutes of getting kissed by flames as I moved em around to get a great crisp on the the skin. I do like the idea of more even cooking as the right side is definitely hotter than the left side.

Have the airgap/heat deflector already ordered, and now considering this for better even cooks.
 
SPSandman said:
So if you install the flame tamer you lose the direct flame searing ability with opening the grate, correct? When I smoke wings I like to finish them with about 10 minutes of getting kissed by flames as I moved em around to get a great crisp on the the skin. I do like the idea of more even cooking as the right side is definitely hotter than the left side.

Have the airgap/heat deflector already ordered, and now considering this for better even cooks.
Click to expand...

The flame tamer just sits on top, so what some guys do when they want to sear (after smoking) is open the grate, poke a long screwdriver through, and knock the flame tamer off to the back. That, or take it off before you start a cook that requires a sear.

Me personally I've only used the sear feature once, and darn near ruined a prime rib roast to a grease fire. Next time I want to sear I'm planning to use my propane Weber grill which sits next to my smoker. I'd be lying if I told you I thought of that, it's another trick I learned here to be honest.
 
Ken S said:
The flame tamer just sits on top, so what some guys do when they want to sear (after smoking) is open the grate, poke a long screwdriver through, and knock the flame tamer off to the back. That, or take it off before you start a cook that requires a sear.

Me personally I've only used the sear feature once, and darn near ruined a prime rib roast to a grease fire. Next time I want to sear I'm planning to use my propane Weber grill which sits next to my smoker. I'd be lying if I told you I thought of that, it's another trick I learned here to be honest.
Click to expand...
Cool thanks. Wasn't sure if it was screwed in place or not. That works!
 
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