My new project, I am building a smoker!

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by T.G

I'd be careful with the knotted/braided wire cups on something as thin as a drum.

Many years ago, out on one of the ships, I built a grill from a 42gal oil barrel, I used a standard straight-wire cup wheel to clean some spots where I needed to weld, and it was fine as long as I didn't bear down hard. I sneezed at one point and jammed the angle grinder into the barrel and it tore up the surface. Had I been using a knotted/braided cup, it probably would have gouged right through the barrel.

Hmmm.... the weed burner and my drill mounted wire wheel is sounding better. I may try the flexible sanding disc as well.

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by wayner123

Hmmm.... the weed burner and my drill mounted wire wheel is sounding better. I may try the flexible sanding disc as well.

I tried the weed burner....too slow for me, the flexible sanding disk with like 60 grit should clear it off quick...I used it by hand it was pretty quick.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by kgoings

I tried the weed burner....too slow for me, the flexible sanding disk with like 60 grit should clear it off quick...I used it by hand it was pretty quick.

Got a pic or link to the one you used? I thought you meant one of those flexible sanding disc pads that goes on your angle grinder.

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by wayner123

Got a pic or link to the one you used? I thought you meant one of those flexible sanding disc pads that goes on your angle grinder.

This is what I meant....and in my post when I said I used it by hand...I meant th 60grit sandpaper sorry for the confusion.

[Smokin Gator]

Better get some paint on the outside of that bad boy or rust will show up in a matter of days... or at least it would in Florida. Maybe it is different in AZ!! Gorgeous drum though!!

[kgoings]

Made some progress this morning



Now I gotta put in the air intake, exhaust, grates, and then season it...

Looking good so far. Did you already decide what your going to cook in it the first time?

[mosesbotbol]

How are you going to attach the grates? Will drill brackets to hold each one? Where will the fire source be?

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by leasingthisspace

Looking good so far. Did you already decide what your going to cook in it the first time?

I have not, any suggestions on something I can't mess up too bad?

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

How are you going to attach the grates? Will drill brackets to hold each one? Where will the fire source be?

4 carriage bolts for each grate.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by kgoings

4 carriage bolts for each grate.

If you're going to use four bolts, make sure you have them all at exactly the same level. If there is any variances in the height of the bolts, you are going to have a wobbly grate which some people don't care for and if extreme, can make balancing of lopsided items on the grate difficult, causing them to tip over. Going down to three bolts will eliminate the possibility of this, but opens up a slightly increased chance of flipping the grate if you get too much weight too far out to the side.

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by T.G

If you're going to use four bolts, make sure you have them all at exactly the same level. If there is any variances in the height of the bolts, you are going to have a wobbly grate which some people don't care for and if extreme, can make balancing of lopsided items on the grate difficult, causing them to tip over. Going down to three bolts will eliminate the possibility of this, but opens up a slightly increased chance of flipping the grate if you get too much weight too far out to the side.

Thanks

Yes I know, I used to work construction for my dad...and while I was in school I was a math major...so measure twice, then measure again, then maybe cut if your feeling lucky


I got them all installed...steady as a rock

[kgoings]

All done but the seasoning!

Actually I don't have a thermometer, but I planned on ordering a digital one. I guess I will have to wait to cook?

[tuxpuff]

wow...that was amazingly fast! Great work...she looks like a beauty!

You could always hop over to Lowes or something and get a $7 cheapo thermometer if you can't wait.

Sooooo....what ya smoking first?

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by tuxpuff

wow...that was amazingly fast! Great work...she looks like a beauty!

You could always hop over to Lowes or something and get a $7 cheapo thermometer if you can't wait.

Sooooo....what ya smoking first?

Thanks, I am not sure what I am going to cook yet. Maybe Ribs or Brisket, have to see what the wife and kido's want.

[tuxpuff]

If you like pork one of the easiest things to smoke is a pork butt...pretty much fail safe because of the fat content. Brisket can be a bit tricky. Here is my first attempt at a butt...

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19926

[replicant_argent]

Great stuff Kirk, looks like something I would attempt and enjoy very much.

[T.G]

Looks good.

Like Luke said, you can get a little analog thermometer for cheap. I have these Char-Broil universal temperate gauges installed on both of my Webers, they are $9 at home depot, work well and seem to be fairly impervious to the elements as I don't cover my grills/bbqs/smokers - if it rains, they get rained on.


What did you end up choosing to use as a coal basket?

[T.G]

Originally Posted by kgoings

Thanks, I am not sure what I am going to cook yet. Maybe Ribs or Brisket, have to see what the wife and kido's want.

If you want to go brisket - here's some good info:
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=68321

Pork butt is easier though.

[kgoings]

Originally Posted by T.G

What did you end up choosing to use as a coal basket?

I made one using 2ftx2ft expanded metal, 6 inches deep.