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finally got my mini.. quick build w/qview

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webowabo

webowabo

Master of the Pit
Original poster
Dec 25, 2010
1,382
41
Arlington, TX
Thank You Keith. ..( FWIsmoker ).. for the help.. he didnt have to PM me back all those times..
After I got off work today I swung by the ol wally store and picked up a new Smokey Joe silv.. (couldnt find a gold anywhere but online)..and the 32qt tamale steamer..
Pretty much had everything else.
Ill just uplaod pics in order.. since it's been done many times before.. if I get more time ill come and add captions [its hard to do on my phone]
Thanks to all mini owners for your threads.. and for sure again.. tanks FWIsmoker..
20130705_171554.jpg

20130705_171554.jpg

SJ silv
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20130705_171602.jpg

IMUSA walmart 32qt tamale steamer. . Step bit .. used steamer rack as template. . Took 1 min!
20130705_171749.jpg

20130705_171749.jpg

Steamer rack back in..
20130705_173728.jpg

20130705_173728.jpg

Basket.. used weber charcoal grate. 3" expando..
20130705_174304.jpg

20130705_174304.jpg

20130705_174805.jpg

20130705_174805.jpg

Vent handles on..
20130705_182951.jpg

20130705_182951.jpg

Got both grates installed.. I will have to go and make the bolts shorter for easy removal. . Didnt think about that.. no biggie...
20130705_184210.jpg

20130705_184210.jpg

Got my ash cap? Air flow cap? Whatever its called .. and im sorry I forgot the name of where I saw the idea but its a large tuna can.. holes cut around sides..
20130705_185801.jpg

20130705_185801.jpg

Ready for seasoning. ..
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20130705_185716.jpg

Chimney on top of the ol wood burner.. ;) love that thing..
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20130705_190051.jpg

Was amazed that it sealed as well as it did.. eve. Though Ive read it does.. match made in smokey heaven...


Tomorrow we will get some ribs on... :)
Thanks all...
Mike
 
HI wasow many briquettes do you initially light?
I didnt pay attention how many i had in the seasoning friday night but I think it got to temp rather normal..? Not sure since it was my first time on the small thing.. maybe 20mins to 240?
Yesterday it screamed to 400* and I could not get it to drop down. I think I used 1/3 of a lit chimney. I ended up tossing the fuel out .. and put new unlit back in. Then used about 5 lit coals to start back up. Then it seemed a while for it to climb up? Maybe 45 mins. Just curious for the next start.m trying to see how the double damper is working.. but when I cant get the thing lit right its hard! :biggrin:
Thanks
Mike
 
Mine screamed up to 400 (on purpose) when i was doing a chicken the other day but i had my vents fully open and then i easily backed it down to 300 ish.    You and Case have the Silver so i don't know how your bottom vent responds.

As far as lighting goes i don't count how many coals i light, it's just a few that i light towards the side of the basket.  I've been lighting a little  pocket on the side of the charcoal basket on both the UDS and the mini and works great.   Partially burnt coals is what i use for my next smoke.... rinse- repeat    

I think when you get that bottom vent figured out you'll be golden. 
 
Last edited:
I normally use fully lit in mine. For lower temps you may need to use a clay planter tray as a diffuser. mine is a 12", but I want to get a 10". I currently have two pots. One has the bottom cut out the first I just drilled. Both versions I attached the lid to the bottom of the pot. Here's some links to my build and mods. Adding the side vents makes controlling the mini a bunch easier. The double decker mod hasn't worked for hot smokes at all, but works great for cold smoking.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/129771/my-5-00-craigslist-find

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...ome-mini-wsm-mods-and-of-course-smokin-dinner

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/139346/more-mods-to-the-mini-wsm-double-decker
 
If you ever build another one get the gold with the side vents....since you don't and Case mentioned it's easier with his side vent controls you might want to go that route.

Those darn ball valves are so expensive i was thinking you could try black pipe with a plastic valve attached to that..one of those plumbing fittings.  

Didn't you do something like that on your UDS?

I don't know why they don't sell Gold joes in the stores...i had to go Amazon.
 
FWIsmoker said:
If you ever build another one get the gold with the side vents....since you don't and Case mentioned it's easier with his side vent controls you might want to go that route.

Those darn ball valves are so expensive i was thinking you could try black pipe with a plastic valve attached to that..one of those plumbing fittings.  

Didn't you do something like that on your UDS?

I don't know why they don't sell Gold joes in the stores...i had to go Amazon.
Click to expand...
I would definitely add the side vents, It was the best investment I made. Originally I only had one valve and the other I capped. I only used both open during the initial start up. I would fully cap once I got to temp. Then I would adjust the lower vent down.  I installed the other valve thinking I could close the bottom all together and use the side vents to control it all. That has not worked all that good. So I end up closing one valve and using the bottom vent to control heat. So I think one valve and one cap would be the best way to go. I used my step bit to drill the holes and just threaded the black pipe nipples in. Make sure and use Black pipe and not galvanized. due to the close proximity to the firebox do not use a plastic valve. I have had flames shoot out my side vents a few times.
 
dirtsailor2003 said:
 Make sure and use Black pipe and not galvanized. due to the close proximity to the firebox do not use a plastic valve. I have had flames shoot out my side vents a few times.
Click to expand...
LMAO, Case that's because you light your whole pot.
laugh1.gif
   I'm still laughing because i can't imagine having flames coming out my side vents!    Are you using gasoline??  JK
 
Good ideas.. as always. I do use the plastice ball valve on the UdS.. no problems with heat there. I would thibk its too close on the the mini for plastice. I also though about adding extra vents on side.. like the uds but didn't want to go cutting holes just yet!

I looked at about 10 places Keith (wallymart..HD..Lowes.) could not find the Gold model... and I was too impatient to buy one online.. next one I will for sure ; l
Thanks guys. Again. I have a 5hour road trip for work later today so ill finely go through your threads Case..give me something to do!
Mike
 
Hah! I couldn't wait. Just read all 4 threads.. everything makes alot more sense now. I think ill leave the pot with the holes drilled for now.. and get a terracotta plate.. 10" seems to be the popular. .
As far as the vents go.. being in the HVAC business I have to replace any valves going to the furnace for code purposes so I have plenty of usable valves .like this
1373207113697.jpg

1373207113697.jpg

And always have plenty of nipples of black pipe on the truck!
Think ill get the mods done and test em out before I leave for work.
 
Mine get hot to the touch, especially when running a full basket. When I was using the cap I burnt my hand a couple times trying to get the cap off.
 
If i use the Pitmaster with the mini ( not often)...i just wanted to see if it worked, but i use it with the # 1 setting because it uses the least amount of air for a small pit.   If i do a pork butt on it i would use the IQ.

More often than not i use the pitmaster iq with the UDS.
 
webowabo said:
Hah! I couldn't wait. Just read all 4 threads.. everything makes alot more sense now. I think ill leave the pot with the holes drilled for now.. and get a terracotta plate.. 10" seems to be the popular. .
As far as the vents go.. being in the HVAC business I have to replace any valves going to the furnace for code purposes so I have plenty of usable valves .like this
1373207113697.jpg

1373207113697.jpg

And always have plenty of nipples of black pipe on the truck!
Think ill get the mods done and test em out before I leave for work.
Click to expand...
I 'm going to cut the bottom out of my original pot. I like using the other better. Mainly because I can load more charcoal in the basket for longer smokes. Since I installed the side vents I no longer use the ash cover over the bottom vent.
 
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