Which Flame Tamer?

Ken S

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 7, 2024
Messages
66
Media
30
Reaction score
298
Location
TN
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.
 
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!
 

Attachments

  • Without FT.webp
    Without FT.webp
    214.2 KB · Views: 30
  • 3 Window FT.webp
    3 Window FT.webp
    175.2 KB · Views: 30
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.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1199.webp
    IMG_1199.webp
    155.6 KB · Views: 12
  • IMG_1200.webp
    IMG_1200.webp
    195.9 KB · Views: 13
I have the 4 sided flame tamer from smokes like a boss. It has helped considerably on my Austin XL. I also have the heat deflector instsaled. It took a little bit of moving around to get the best results but now does a great job. Welcome and enjoy
 
Yeah, I’ve had the curved heat deflector installed almost since day one. That one’s obvious, knowing the temp sensor is right there.
 

Latest Discussions

Back
Top