RF Build In Slow Motion (Sinks are done!)

solaryellow · Aug 14, 2011

KCbluesNbbq said:
I can't believe I haven't seen this build till today. Using phone too much instead of computer, I guess.

Sure is looking great. I had to fix my warped door also. I used a chain, a large turnbuckle, some 4x4's, and a persuader. I never thought a weed burner would get the metal hot enough, or I would have used mine.

How is the trailer coming?

I will definitely stay tuned to this build to see it done. Keep the post coming.

I was surprised as well. We bought the cheap one from Harbor Freight thinking we would eventually turn it into an embedded log starter. When we ran into the warped door problem one of the guys helping on the fabrication talked to a blacksmith buddy of his and he told us to try the weed burner and sure enough it worked.

The trailer is in its infancy. We have two 4500lbs axles with electric brakes, the suspension and fenders currently. The scrapyard had some 4x4 1/4" square tubing but I balked at the weight. Another buddy is going to solicit a quote for some 5" C channel and if it isn't too bad we will go that route. The 4x4" stuff is going to add a lot of weight if we go that way.

tom37 · Aug 14, 2011

Fan-Freakin-Tastic

Joel, thats freaking awesome man, I really love it.

I'm sure you guys thought this one thru, but I'll ask anyways.

Asking from experince, well tragedy that is.

Do the shelves have stops on them,

I really thought that I didn't need stops on mine, I was so so wrong.

Hummmm, I guess that I am not going to be the only member here that gets to haul a 9000 lb trailer..... LMAO

It adds up fast man.

I sure do like the warmer box. Did you make an adjustable damper out the top of the fire box?

Joel, if you don't mind, pls PM me with the info on what kind of thermo's you are using, and how well you like them. I'm not sure how soon I will make it to the computer again. I have been living thru my phone and the talk a tap app is still a really SUCKY way to check the site.

I read a post asking about the welders.

For the average smoker builder the Hobart 187 is by far the best bang for your buck out there right now.

If you future builders watch, Tractor Supply or Northern Tools will have this machine on sale for 559.00 every so often, Thats a steal for this welder.

I use a MillerMatic 211 myself along with my Hobart AC/DC stick welder. Love them both. But I hear alot of guys that say they like the arc of the 187 better then the Miller 211.

One that I have not personally used but plan to buy in the near future is the ESAB Mig Caddy.

Its a nice neat compact little package that I am hearing good things about.

To the mods,,,,,, if there has been a thread made in regards to the welder question, could you please split my post and move it over to the new thread.

Thanks.

Once again, awesome job Joel. Pls let your buddies know they are doing an awesome job.

solaryellow · Aug 15, 2011

We did not plan on adding anything to stop the racks but I think that would be fairly easy to do. Drill a hole and pop in another clevis pin. Then it would be easy to remove the racks as well which was my primary concern. Thanks for the heads up Tom!

After careful consideration, we decided not to connect the firebox to the warming box and instead put a damper between the smoke chamber and warming box. You can see it in this post http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/105448/rf-build-in-slow-motion/60#post_663992 The damper worked great by the way! I started off with it closed and there was not much in the way of smoke getting into the warming box and eventually opened it all the way to see what would happen. My third probe wasn't working so I wasn't able to measure the temp in the warming box but the outside felt just as hot to the touch as the smoke chamber did.

I will shoot ya a PM in a short bit.

Thanks for the compliments Tom!

hdflame · Aug 15, 2011

You've got a beautiful RF rig! You said in a previous post that you wanted to add another grill on your trailer. Just wondered what you thought about the Chicken Cooker from Meadow Creek?

http://www.smokymtbarbecue.com/avactis/avactis-images/bbq-smoker-chicken-cooker_0.jpg

I would think that this design would work good for a caterer cooking for a large crowd....reduce labor in turning by hand. Just wondered if you'd seen or thought about this design?

Can't wait to see pics of your first gig! Nice job.

solaryellow · Aug 15, 2011

hdflame said:
You've got a beautiful RF rig! You said in a previous post that you wanted to add another grill on your trailer. Just wondered what you thought about the Chicken Cooker from Meadow Creek?

http://www.smokymtbarbecue.com/avactis/avactis-images/bbq-smoker-chicken-cooker_0.jpg

I would think that this design would work good for a caterer cooking for a large crowd....reduce labor in turning by hand. Just wondered if you'd seen or thought about this design?

Can't wait to see pics of your first gig! Nice job.

Thanks for the link hdflame! Truth be told, poultry and rotisseries were the furthest thing from my mind when it came to the grill. I was thinking steaks, sausages (i.e. italian, bratwurst, hotlinks, etc), burgers, hot dogs, and fajitas which are some of my better dishes. That is definitely something to think about. Thanks for the brainfood and compliments!

jjwdiver · Aug 15, 2011

It keeps looking better every time I check this thread!

solaryellow · Aug 15, 2011

jjwdiver said:
It keeps looking better every time I check this thread!

Thanks jj!

hdflame · Aug 15, 2011

All of the things you just named could be cooked on a flipper grill like that. It's really a pretty simple idea that I think would fit right in to a catering rig. I want to build a rig just like this one:

http://www.smokymtbarbecue.com/avactis/avactis-images/bbq-smoker-chicken-cooker_0.jpg

Check out the video of their cookers, Gazing at beauty and flippin chicken. Videos are here: http://www.smokymtbarbecue.com/

solaryellow · Aug 15, 2011

hdflame said:
All of the things you just named could be cooked on a flipper grill like that. It's really a pretty simple idea that I think would fit right in to a catering rig. I want to build a rig just like this one:

http://www.smokymtbarbecue.com/avactis/avactis-images/bbq-smoker-chicken-cooker_0.jpg

Check out the video of their cookers, Gazing at beauty and flippin chicken. Videos are here: http://www.smokymtbarbecue.com/

Just watched the video hd. I see some more expense in my future. lol

daggerdoggie · Aug 15, 2011

This thing is amazing!

solaryellow · Aug 15, 2011

Daggerdoggie said:
This thing is amazing!

Thanks! It has a long way to go yet.

isakill · Aug 16, 2011

I joined this forum just to comment on this build. I'd like to say it's absolutely amazing, I learned how to smoke on a RF smoker I have an affinity for them. Being a person that doesn't have the equipment or most of the know-how to build something like this I sat here in awe while reading every single post of all 7 pages of this thread!

Makes me want to build one to compliment my Lang and do possible catering jobs, which I do have the know how. This thread is and will be in my favorites because of all the useful information that is contained within. I never realized that someone could put that much weight in something that is so simple. A friend of mine builds trailers as a hobby, and I wish I could spout out some of his knowledge to help out, because his builds are insanely strong, stable and don't put much weight on the tongue. I can't wait to see the finished product!

solaryellow · Aug 16, 2011

Isakill said:
I joined this forum just to comment on this build. I'd like to say it's absolutely amazing, I learned how to smoke on a RF smoker I have an affinity for them. Being a person that doesn't have the equipment or most of the know-how to build something like this I sat here in awe while reading every single post of all 7 pages of this thread!

Makes me want to build one to compliment my Lang and do possible catering jobs, which I do have the know how. This thread is and will be in my favorites because of all the useful information that is contained within. I never realized that someone could put that much weight in something that is so simple. A friend of mine builds trailers as a hobby, and I wish I could spout out some of his knowledge to help out, because his builds are insanely strong, stable and don't put much weight on the tongue. I can't wait to see the finished product!

That is quite a compliment! Thanks! There are many people that I have learned a lot from planning this build so the real credit goes to them.

alelover · Aug 20, 2011

Damn Joel. That looks fantastic. I've been out of town on business the last 2 weeks. So it looks like I missed a bunch. My friend just started brewing at Foothills so I have 2 reasons to come to WS now.

solaryellow · Aug 20, 2011

alelover said:
Damn Joel. That looks fantastic. I've been out of town on business the last 2 weeks. So it looks like I missed a bunch. My friend just started brewing at Foothills so I have 2 reasons to come to WS now.

No kidding? Foothills will be right next to us at the festival from what I understand.

DanMcG · Aug 20, 2011

Wow Joel I haven't checked into this thread in a couple weeks but the last set of pick's are awesome. thats one nice smoker you guys are building.

I can't wait to see it in action.

solaryellow · Aug 20, 2011

We got a lot more finishing work accomplished today. The temp gauges I ordered last week finally came in so we got those mounted along with the permanent handles on the smoke chamber.

Drinky Smurf was there of course.

We also added a little bit of flair to the smoker. Dennis had cut out some BBB with his plasma cutter with Brent's help. We were originally thinking about using them for handles on the chimney dampers when inspiration struck.

Dave suggested we paint them a different color than the smoker so they will probably be orange by this time next weekend.

Our chimney damper control system was constructed from some 5/16" steel rod and a few pieces of 7/16" tube welded to the chimneys themselves.

We also built the door latch for the warming box and installed a temp gauge there as well.

For the handles of the smoke chamber doors we picked up a couple of slag hammers from Tractor Supply and cut them down for the handle itself. The pieces that it is welded to is some scrap 3/16" steel we had laying around.

We also put a coat of Ospho on the beast to start converting the rust so we can paint it next weekend. We bought a gallon thinking that might be enough to cover 200 sq. ft. but in reality a quart would have covered it. This stuff goes on very thin and reminds me of hydrogen peroxide when you apply it to a cut. Once this stuff touches rust it starts bubbling.

Next weekend will be counterweights and then paint. If things work out right we might even start the trailer. First true cook will be Sept 3rd if anyone wants to come down for some free food.

solaryellow · Aug 20, 2011

DanMcG said:
Wow Joel I haven't checked into this thread in a couple weeks but the last set of pick's are awesome. thats one nice smoker you guys are building.

I can't wait to see it in action.

It is getting there Dan. We have 4 more working weeks left until the festival. I am starting to freak out just a little bit.

Bring some of that awesome sausage you make down and help us christen this beast.

bmudd14474 · Aug 21, 2011

Looking good Joel. Might want to take a few days off of work to work on this thing.

smokingohiobutcher · Aug 21, 2011

Joel

WOW!!!

Great job! Love the idea of the log pre-heating area!

SOB

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