Title: Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd - freem URL Source: https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd Markdown Content: _This conversation was exported from ChatGPT_[[1]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-1) ## gpt-5-2[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=1 "Edit section: gpt-5-2") ### User: Is this quarter inch steel or are new ones like this made with thinner steel.[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=2 "Edit section: User: Is this quarter inch steel or are new ones like this made with thinner steel.") Is this quarter inch steel or are new ones like this made with thinner steel. I have one I bought in 2016 that's pretty heavy ### Assistant: Short answer: no—this is not ¼-inch steel, and the new ones are thinner than the older ones like your 2016 unit.[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=3 "Edit section: Assistant: Short answer: no—this is not ¼-inch steel, and the new ones are thinner than the older ones like your 2016 unit.") Short answer: no—this is not ¼-inch steel, and the new ones are thinner than the older ones like your 2016 unit. ##### What that smoker is[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=4 "Edit section: What that smoker is") That looks like an Oklahoma Joe’s offset (Highland / Longhorn–style) sold through Home Depot. ##### Steel thickness reality[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=5 "Edit section: Steel thickness reality") * ¼-inch steel (0.250") is extremely heavy and is found on custom or competition pits, not mass-market smokers under $500. * Even the old “heavy” Oklahoma Joe’s were never ¼-inch. ##### Older (pre-2017-ish) Oklahoma Joe’s[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=6 "Edit section: Older (pre-2017-ish) Oklahoma Joe’s") * Typically 12-gauge steel → about 0.105" thick * Much heavier * Better heat retention * Less warping * This is why your 2016 unit feels noticeably heavy ##### Newer Oklahoma Joe’s (current production)[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=7 "Edit section: Newer Oklahoma Joe’s (current production)") * Mostly 14-gauge steel → about 0.075" thick * Around 30% thinner * Lighter * Loses heat faster * More prone to lid leakage and temp swings ##### Why people think the old ones were ¼-inch[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=8 "Edit section: Why people think the old ones were ¼-inch") Because: * They weigh a lot compared to modern box-store smokers * They hold heat better * The steel sounds and feels thicker …but true ¼-inch pits usually: * Cost $1,500–$4,000+ * Weigh several hundred pounds * Often need a trailer or multiple people to move ##### Bottom line[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=9 "Edit section: Bottom line") * ❌ Not ¼-inch steel * ✅ Your 2016 smoker is thicker and better built than the new ones * ⚠️ The current ~$397 version is thinner steel and not the same quality If you want, I can: * Help you measure your existing steel thickness * Suggest mods to make the newer ones perform closer to the old models * Compare your 2016 unit to true ¼-inch pits so you can feel the difference on paper Just tell me 👍 ### User: When did they start making it with thinner steel[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=10 "Edit section: User: When did they start making it with thinner steel") When did they start making it with thinner steel ### Assistant: Here’s what I could find about when Oklahoma Joe’s smokers shifted to thinner steel construction:[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=11 "Edit section: Assistant: Here’s what I could find about when Oklahoma Joe’s smokers shifted to thinner steel construction:") Here’s what I could find about when Oklahoma Joe’s smokers shifted to thinner steel construction: ##### 🕰️ Timeline of steel thickness changes[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=12 "Edit section: 🕰️ Timeline of steel thickness changes") Before 1997–1998 * Original Oklahoma Joe’s smokers (the ones made by founder Joe Davidson in Oklahoma) were built with much thicker steel, often from heavy pipe and sometimes close to ¼-inch in places, and were all welded. Reiko Allen[[2]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-2) ~1998 (after Char-Broil purchase) * Char-Broil bought the Oklahoma Joe’s brand in 1998 and moved manufacturing overseas to China. Oklahoma Joe's BBQ[[3]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-3) * Around this time the construction shifted away from heavy pipe and fully welded bodies toward bolted components and thinner gauge stamped/rolled steel to hit lower price points. THE BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS[[4]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-4) ##### 🧱 What this means for the “thick vs thin” change[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=13 "Edit section: 🧱 What this means for the “thick vs thin” change") * The heavy old USA-made units were basically phased out after 1998, with the steel getting thinner pretty much once Char-Broil began mass production for big-box retailers. Flavor365[[5]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-5) * Your 2016 model was already part of that later, thinner era relative to the originals — but many people still think pre-Char-Broil / early Char-Broil models (2000s–early 2010s) had heavier gauge than more recent ones. User reports suggest that even since the mid-2010s, the metal gauge and overall build got a bit lighter/cheaper compared to older Char-Broil era models. Reddit[[6]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-6) ##### 📌 More detail from online chatter[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=14 "Edit section: 📌 More detail from online chatter") * Some enthusiasts claim that when the company lost its original all-welded, heavy pipe construction and went to bolted panels under Char-Broil, the build quality dropped — meaning thinner steel and joints rather than thick welded barrels. THE BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS[[7]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-7) ##### 💡 Summary[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=15 "Edit section: 💡 Summary") * Before ~1998: Thicker steel (often heavy pipe/closer to original design) — much heavier smokers. Reiko Allen[[8]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-8) * 1998 onward: Transition to thinner steel and mass manufacturing overseas — this is where the construction got lighter. Flavor365[[9]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-9) * Mid-2010s to today: Continued trend toward lighter gauge steel in the current retail models compared to even older Char-Broil era units (but still heavier than many super-cheap smokers). Reddit[[10]](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_note-10) If you want, I can help you identify your smoker’s approximate year based on markings/serial details, which can clue you in on how heavy its steel should be. Just let me know! ## References[edit](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?title=Openai/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd&action=edit§ion=16 "Edit section: References") 1. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-1)["Steel thickness comparison"](https://chatgpt.com/share/6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd). ChatGPT. Retrieved 2025-12-21. 2. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-2)["Reiko Allen"](https://reikoallen.com/wrought-iron/how-much-is-an-original-oklahoma-joe-smoker-worth). Reiko Allen. Retrieved 2025-12-21. 3. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-3)["Oklahoma Joe's BBQ"](https://okjoes.com/about-us). Oklahoma Joe's BBQ. Retrieved 2025-12-21. 4. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-4)["THE BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS"](https://www.bbq-brethren.com/threads/oklahoma-joes-smoker-original.230333/). THE BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS. Retrieved 2025-12-21. 5. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-5)["Flavor365"](https://eathealthy365.com/the-truth-about-where-oklahoma-joe-s-grills-are-made/). eathealthy365.com. Retrieved 2025-12-21. 6. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-6)["Reddit"](https://www.reddit.com/r/smoking/comments/1c4tjrw). reddit.com. Retrieved 2025-12-21. 7. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-7)["THE BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS"](https://www.bbq-brethren.com/threads/oklahoma-joes-smoker-original.230333/). THE BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS. Retrieved 2025-12-21. 8. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-8)["Reiko Allen"](https://reikoallen.com/wrought-iron/how-much-is-an-original-oklahoma-joe-smoker-worth). Reiko Allen. Retrieved 2025-12-21. 9. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-9)["Flavor365"](https://eathealthy365.com/the-truth-about-where-oklahoma-joe-s-grills-are-made/). eathealthy365.com. Retrieved 2025-12-21. 10. [↑](https://freemwiki.com/index.php?mobileaction=toggle_view_mobile&title=Openai%2F6946f01f-44c4-800e-8d76-ed6d3fe04fdd#cite_ref-10)["Reddit"](https://www.reddit.com/r/smoking/comments/1c4tjrw). reddit.com. Retrieved 2025-12-21.