My new project, I am building a smoker! - Page 2

kgoings · 03-17-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

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 · 03-17-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

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.

Smokin Gator · 03-17-2010, 03:30 PM

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 · 03-18-2010, 02:14 PM

Made some progress this morning

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

03-18-2010, 02:24 PM

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

kgoings · 03-18-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

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?

mosesbotbol · 03-18-2010, 02:31 PM

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

kgoings · 03-18-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

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 · 03-18-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

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 · 03-18-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

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 · 03-18-2010, 04:44 PM

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 · 03-18-2010, 05:07 PM

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 · 03-18-2010, 05:16 PM

Quote:

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.

T.G · 03-18-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

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.

tuxpuff · 03-18-2010, 07:10 PM

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 · 03-18-2010, 07:19 PM

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

T.G · 03-18-2010, 07:36 PM

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?

kgoings · 03-18-2010, 08:25 PM

Quote:

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.

Smokin Gator · 03-19-2010, 08:33 AM

It looks killer brother!!!

A couple of tips...

-Don't use your exhaust to control the temp. Leave them all open and control the temp with your intakes only. You will have much cleaner smoke that way. Most of the time I would have one intake open and the ball valve about half way open to keep it chugging at 225.

-Find a metal coffee can... the large size. Cut out the top and bottom. Put the coffee can in the middle of your charcoal grate. Fill up the ring around the coffee can. Light about a half of a chimney of coals. Once they are ready pour them in the coffee can. Live the coffee can out (be careful... us really long tongs or welders gloves). You will have a perfect Minion method!!!

-If you notice your temps dropping a bit give the drum a shake. This really only comes in the play on long cooks, but sometimes the ash needs a little help to fall through the grate.

-Cook some pork, I would do a pork butt if I had the time or fatties if I needed to do something quicker, to season the drum. Nothing seasons like pork fat!!!

Enjoy your cooker... once you get used to it you will be amazed at what a great cooker they are.

kgoings · 03-19-2010, 09:28 AM

I know everyone is telling me to do pork butt, but I think I want to do ribs. Still haven't decided yet.

03-17-2010, 03:30 PM	#3
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: My new project, I am building a smoker! 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!! __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

03-18-2010, 02:24 PM	#5
leasingthisspace Guest Posts: n/a	Re: My new project, I am building a smoker! Looking good so far. Did you already decide what your going to cook in it the first time?

03-18-2010, 02:31 PM	#7
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: My new project, I am building a smoker! How are you going to attach the grates? Will drill brackets to hold each one? Where will the fire source be? __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

03-18-2010, 05:07 PM	#12
tuxpuff Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Luke Location: Austin Posts: 877 Trading: (2)	Re: My new project, I am building a smoker! 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?

03-18-2010, 07:10 PM	#15
tuxpuff Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Luke Location: Austin Posts: 877 Trading: (2)	Re: My new project, I am building a smoker! 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

03-18-2010, 07:19 PM	#16
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Re: My new project, I am building a smoker! Great stuff Kirk, looks like something I would attempt and enjoy very much. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

03-18-2010, 07:36 PM	#17
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,559 Trading: (37)	Re: My new project, I am building a smoker! 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?

03-19-2010, 08:33 AM	#19
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: My new project, I am building a smoker! It looks killer brother!!! A couple of tips... -Don't use your exhaust to control the temp. Leave them all open and control the temp with your intakes only. You will have much cleaner smoke that way. Most of the time I would have one intake open and the ball valve about half way open to keep it chugging at 225. -Find a metal coffee can... the large size. Cut out the top and bottom. Put the coffee can in the middle of your charcoal grate. Fill up the ring around the coffee can. Light about a half of a chimney of coals. Once they are ready pour them in the coffee can. Live the coffee can out (be careful... us really long tongs or welders gloves). You will have a perfect Minion method!!! -If you notice your temps dropping a bit give the drum a shake. This really only comes in the play on long cooks, but sometimes the ash needs a little help to fall through the grate. -Cook some pork, I would do a pork butt if I had the time or fatties if I needed to do something quicker, to season the drum. Nothing seasons like pork fat!!! Enjoy your cooker... once you get used to it you will be amazed at what a great cooker they are. __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

03-19-2010, 09:28 AM	#20
kgoings Cigarologist Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kirk Location: Highlands Ranch, Co Posts: 1,979 Trading: (42)	Re: My new project, I am building a smoker! I know everyone is telling me to do pork butt, but I think I want to do ribs. Still haven't decided yet. __________________ Your silly little opinion has been noted!