Brinkman Trailmaster Limited Edition - review

[capta...@comcast.net]

Over the past few years I have done one on one BBQ lessons with several friends and neighbors.  I know that some here disagree with me, but I push them to pick up a small offset from a yard sale or Craigslist.  I started on a NB Bandera and I was forced to learn fire control like you can never do on a WSM or easy to control cooker.  Draft, fire size, convection and everything else come into play, so it's a great learning experience.  One of my past employees asked for some guidance and he was too anxious to wait for a used pit, so he picked up a Brinkman Trailmaster from Home Depot.  Fortunately he called me before putting it together and I was able to get some pre-assembly modifications to him.

 

I had the chance to cook with him this afternoon and I was really impressed.  The Trailmaster is a big step up from the old SNPP.  It is much heavier and holds heat longer.  The cook chamber door sits into a recess and had minimal leakage.  It is NOT perfect right out of the box, but with some modifications will do a good job. He did seal all connection and bolt points with high temp sealant.  With only this modification and some vent adjustments, the Trailmaster held heat well and was able to hold a moderate size fire for the best part of an hour without adding more coal. Even in my large offset pit I had to add a log every 45 minutes to an hour, so this wasn't too bad.  There are a few other modifications I have read will improve performance such as a heat damper at the intake to the cook chamber, a formed gasket on the door and a small charcoal basket for longer burn time. The intake vent might be a little small for the size of the exhaust, but not a huge problem if you close the stack damper a touch to even the ratio. (another lesson you don't learn on a WSM)  I only had two other concerns.  The ash pan slides onto the bottom of the fire box and might allow air flow in addition to the intake. A gasket might solve this concern if it is a problem.  Also, the stack exits above grate level and I prefer at grate or below to even out heat distribution.  Neither of these seemed to be a big problem on a short cook.  We cooked two whole butterflied chickens and they were pretty good for his first cook.  I watched and gave direction and he did all of the work...I could get used to this!  At Home Depot they are $299, which is the same price as a WSM, but that will be his next step.  All in all, a very nice home pit at an affordable price.

Merrill

[pigm...@aol.com]

That's a great deal, you sell the cooker, a cooking lesson, and you get a free meal for $500! What a way to make a couple extra bucks in yer spare time!!!    Pigman!

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[Erin Fuller]

I don't disagree. I started on a charbroiler pro burning only wood and a copy of Smoke and Spice as a guide. You can keep your temp with that you can do it on most anything I'd guess. Amazon is having a 25% off sale with free shipping if anyone is in the market. Erin Sent from my Droid Charge on Verizon 4GLTE

[Tim A.]

I guess burning your copy of smoke and spice is one way to keep the fire going. ;)
Tim in tn

Sent from my HTC Evo with Android

On Jul 11, 2011 12:16 PM, "Erin Fuller" <long...@hotmail.com> wrote:

[Erin Fuller]

First book was great. Second one not so much. Imho anyway. Sent from my Droid Charge on Verizon 4GLTE

-----Original Message-----
From: Tim A.
Sent: 7/11/2011 5:59:33 PM
To: smoker...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [BBQ] Brinkman Trailmaster Limited Edition - review

[capta...@comcast.net]

Erin,

My thoughts also, and the reason why I have been fairly successful at cooking on many pits. (although 2 large turkeys on an open cinder block pit was a challenge) The base rules of fire control and air flow apply universally, you just have to modify to the type of cooker.  The new Trailmaster is still a chain store type cooker, but with some mods seems to be one of the better for someone looking to get in the game.

Merrill

---

[capta...@comcast.net]

Jim,

I once cooked a competition next to Paul Kirk.  He was cooking with a husband and wife who paid him an outrageous sum to watch how he cooked a competition.  He got paid to do what he loves, they washed the dishes AND he kept the prize money.  That's what I'm shooting for! :)

Merrill

---

From: pigmanjim@aol.com
To: smokeringbbq@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2011 9:03:52 AM
Subject: Re: [BBQ] Brinkman Trailmaster Limited Edition - review

That's a great deal, you sell the cooker, a cooking lesson, and you get a free meal for $500! What a way to make a couple extra bucks in yer spare time!!!    Pigman!

-----Original Message-----
From: captain-que <capta...@comcast.net>
To: SmokeRingBBQ <SmokeRingBBQ@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Jul 11, 2011 2:49 am
Subject: [BBQ] Brinkman Trailmaster Limited Edition - review

Over the past few years I have done one on one BBQ lessons with several friends and neighbors.  I know that some here disagree with me, but I push them to pick up a small offset from a yard sale or Craigslist.  I started on a NB Bandera and I was forced to learn fire control like you can never do on a WSM or easy to control cooker.  Draft, fire size, convection and everything else come into play, so it's a great learning experience.  One of my past employees asked for some guidance and he was too anxious to wait for a used pit, so he picked up a Brinkman Trailmaster from Home Depot.  Fortunately he called me before putting it together and I was able to get some pre-assembly modifications to him.

 

I had the chance to cook with him this afternoon and I was really impressed.  The Trailmaster is a big step up from the old SNPP.  It is much heavier and holds heat longer.  The cook chamber door sits into a recess and had minimal leakage.  It is NOT perfect right out of the box, but with some modifications will do a good job. He did seal all connection and bolt points with high temp sealant.  With only this modification and some vent adjustments, the Trailmaster held heat well and was able to hold a moderate size fire for the best part of an hour without adding more coal. Even in my large offset pit I had to add a log every 45 minutes to an hour, so this wasn't too bad.  There are a few other modifications I have read will improve performance such as a heat damper at the intake to the cook chamber, a formed gasket on the door and a small charcoal basket for longer burn time. The intake vent might be a little small for the size of the exhaust, but not a huge problem if you close the stack damper a touch to even the ratio. (another lesson you don't learn on a WSM)  I only had two other concerns.  The ash pan slides onto the bottom of the fire box and might allow air flow in addition to the intake. A gasket might solve this concern if it is a problem.  Also, the stack exits above grate level and I prefer at grate or below to even out heat distribution.  Neither of these seemed to be a big problem on a short cook.  We cooked two whole butterflied chickens and they were pretty good for his first cook.  I watched and gave direction and he did all of the work...I could get used to this!  At Home Depot they are $299, which is the same price as a WSM, but that will be his next step.  All in all, a very nice home pit at an affordable price.

Merrill

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Wanna talk trash instead of barbecue? Go to the Backporch
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[pigm...@aol.com]

Let's see, how can we get the S.A,. BBQ and Merrill's pay all tied to a good marketing slogan!  Maybe The BBQ that keeps on Giving!  Send all corntributions care of Merrill, and cash is gladly ceptted!!!!!    Pigman!

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[capta...@comcast.net]

My wife often says she is going to reword the S.A. brand statement to personalize if for me...Doing the Most Food

Merrill

 

"There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good to the most people in the most need."  Evangeline Booth 1919