Oklahoma Joe HIGHLAND Horizontal Baffle Plate (Heat Deflector Tuning) by LavaLock®

Customer Reviews

Good product, screw hardware is not necessary Review by Kyle

Overall Rating

Got this about a year about. Temps have been consistent across the chamber. I found there is no reason to attach the two pieces together with the included hardware, nor did I attach the angled piece to the actual smoker. It has been fine and hasn't moved. After one cook it will be stuck in place. (Posted on 5/6/2019)

Great product Review by Cecil

Overall Rating

The baffle plate for the OJ Highland smoker works as advertised. My temperature difference between the two thermometers is now 15-20 degrees. The baffle fits over the screws holding the fire box to the cooking chamber in my smoker. Some videos show holes drilled in the baffle plate in order to get a tight fit over the two top screws. Another video talks about the great smells when the juices from the meat being cooked lands on the baffle plate - I found this to be true with great aromas coming out of the cooking chamber. I am able to easily hold a temp between 300-350 with the baffle plate in place, and maintaining a lower temp is easy as well. I use seasoned live oak which is a hot burning wood. With an even distribution of the heat, I no longer have to move the meat or fish around to get everything evenly cooked. I have taken the baffle plate out once for cleaning - a very simple process, just wear nitrile gloves because of the buildup of seasoning oil and drippings from the meat and fish. Overall, the baffle plate is a great investment if you have the Oklahoma Joe Highland smoker. (Posted on 4/1/2019)

Tricky fit with Expansion rack Review by Kelly

Overall Rating

Does a phenomenal job controlling temps. I have this with the water pan and big cook expansion rack.
Only beef with this is I couldn’t get it to fit over two firebox screws so I had to drill them out. Once in, it fit fine but the expansion rack did not slide all the way to the end of the cooking chamber because it was hitting the top bend of the baffle. So, more cutting and hacking on this $100 tuning plate. Still works fine, and I understand these are custom made, but man that was an hour of my time I wouln’t get back. I love all three by the way. Used it last night for the first time and it was amazing outside of all that (Posted on 3/11/2019)

Great quality Review by Scott

Overall Rating

I used the baffle system for the first time and it definitely equals the heat distribution better than with out it, I did mount it to the wall of the grill and put a piece of the door gasket in between the two pieces to seal it. Very good quality. (Posted on 2/25/2019)

Too restrictive? Review by Robert

Overall Rating

***Manufacturers' response to below comments: The Baffle plate is engineered to hold at 250F with relative ease. Additionally, it is designed as a 2 piece adjustable system. To increase draft and cook at high temps, simply overlap the two plates. Coals are typically 1300F in the firebox. That is normal. Cold temps will require more fuel and will also require adjusting the baffle for more draft. Remember to run your smoke stack wide open. Please contact us for more expert advise!***

I have had a couple of cooks using this now and I can’t get temps up unless I am dumping fuel into the fire chamber. I took this to a buddies house so he can see it in action, we tried to get it to 250° for some chicken. I took his temp gun to the fire fox, to get the cook chamber to around 250° the fire box read off the scale on the temp gun, the highest recorded before it went to “hi” was almost 1200°. Now I’m not a seasoned pro but that is crazy to have temps that high, it’s almost like the plate is too thick and restricts the airflow since it points the heat down in the cook chamber first. Maybe because it’s cold out? I have no idea why I’m having issues but to me is that the plate is too thick. (Posted on 2/25/2019)

Amazing Review by Fredrick

Overall Rating

I've had my Highland for a few years but felt no need for a baffle plate. I received mine as a gift & I must say after the 1st use I'm sold. Baffle plates are definitely worth it. (Posted on 12/26/2018)

Game Changer Review by ALoera

Overall Rating

This product is a is a must have!!! I’m a beginner in off set smoking it made it so much easier to get even heat!!! Food cooked even with out trying to balance the heat!!Chambers heat remained even throughout my whole cook! My family complimented my baby backs on how much better they came out with baffle plates!! I highly recommend this product for the Oklahoma Joe Highlander don’t hesitate like I did! Order Now!!! (Posted on 9/29/2018)

Must Have! Review by Gene

Overall Rating

I had purchased the stainless box for the firebox and sealed the firebox and chimney with high temp RTV before I used my Highland for the first time. Three racks of spare ribs and I had a hell of a time with temps with the firebox side 60-80F hotter than the chimney side. Drew up my own plans for a tuning plate that I was going to make at work out of 1/8” stainless scrap but was so lazy, I just bought it off here. I am impressed, the carbon steel used is about 1/8” thick, everything fit perfect. I don’t remember seeing paper instructions but then again, with a little bit of common sense, you don’t need them. The only thing not included was two 1/4x20UNC bolts a little longer than the ones in the bag if you’re going to drill and attach the plates to the side. No big deal for me as I picked them up at work. As far as how well it works... it does take more time to get the temps up but my 13 lb brisket was more than happy with my temps being even through the smoking box... never more than a10 degree difference and more often than not, temps were within 5 degrees left to right.

If there’s ONE mod to get for your OK Joe, this one beats all others HANDS DOWN! (Posted on 9/13/2018)

I was impressed how the tuning plates helped Review by Roy

Overall Rating

I was impressed how the tuning plates helped (Posted on 9/2/2018)

Baffle plate Review by Dennis

Overall Rating

This Baffle was perfect the heat is now perfect from side to side now . It is the best Thank You
(Posted on 8/13/2018)

Don't hesitate Review by eosmoker

Overall Rating

Went perfectly with my whole mod setup I purchased for my Oklahoma Joe. Helped distribute the heat very evenly. Product was easy to install and built very well. This is a must purchase for your smoker setup. (Posted on 7/17/2018)

Exactly what I needed... Review by Bart

Overall Rating

It works just as it was meant to... Easy to install and cooks evenly...

(Posted on 7/12/2018)

Best thing for your food Review by Leonard

Overall Rating

this is built so well you will be amazed. it also does take longer to get to temp but once it does it is so easy to control your cooking temp. love this thing. almost gave up on my Oklahoma until I got this. now I want to try longer cooking meats because of the confidence this has gave me. I also bought the water pan and the clean out rod. glad a company is building things right and well for the money you spend. buy it you won't be disappointed. (Posted on 7/4/2018)

Ooh yeah. Review by David

Overall Rating

I expected a thinner weighted gagedetal. I was surprised that it was a heavy gage. It looks like it is built to last! I can’t wait to start smoking with them! So excited (Posted on 6/30/2018)

First time backyard smoker Review by Greg

Overall Rating

I have been looking to get into smoking for awhile, saw the affordable OK Joes at Lowes and checked the reviews on them, found some YouTube videos showing the mods that everyone in the reviews talked about and the #1 thing everyone said to get was this plate. It definitely does what it needs to, I've only had the time to use my smoker once since i bought it (only a few weeks ago from this post) but everything was cooked evenly and i had a much easier time controlling the overall temp in my smoker. I would definitely recommend buying this if you are interested in getting one of the new OK Joe smokers! (Posted on 5/28/2018)

Love it! Review by Patrick

Overall Rating

I am new to backyard smoking and have been trying different things to see what works best. I have always had trouble controlling the temp in my smoker, but this baffle has made it so much easier. It takes a little bit longer to warm up but when it’s up to temp it works very well and is easier to maintain. It fits how it’s suppose to and is quality all around. I would definitely recommend this for any beginner. (Posted on 5/22/2018)