New Project

BGKYSmoker · Jul 18, 2012

Going to be a couple more weeks until we get into the RV full time.

So

Im making a new smoker.

Finally found a couple 32 qt steamer pots.

The one on the left is heavy duty aluminum. $39.50 at a restaurant supply. I asked the lady if she had Imusa and she directed me to a supply place that just handles equipment for mexican restaurants. So i bought the Imusa (right) for $30.99. You can see the difference in the aluminum thickness on the higher end pot.

The handles on the Imusa are about 3/4" higher on the pot (right)

Just have the 1 smokey joe silver.....(For now)

Still gotta get the SS hardware and temp dial.

Im going to get a smokey joe gold and make 2 of em ;D Thicker pot for winter, thinner for summer.

My wifes going to kill me.

southernsausage · Jul 18, 2012

lookin good! get a website up and running and sell them babies!!!

BGKYSmoker · Jul 18, 2012

southernsausage said:
lookin good! get a website up and running and sell them babies!!!

Its cheaper just to buy the items. So far like $73 invested.

roller · Jul 18, 2012

Looks good....

smokinhusker · Jul 18, 2012

Looking good! Please post the how to's for these, before the wife kills you...they are interesting. Yep I'm thinking you are headed to the doghouse rather than the RV!

smokinhusker · Jul 18, 2012

I like them! Would you post the tutorial or how to before she kills you though...they look interesting.

BGKYSmoker · Jul 18, 2012

SmokinHusker said:
I like them! Would you post the tutorial or how to before she kills you though...they look interesting.

Roger that. Just gotta get the hardware tomorrow.

JckDanls 07 · Jul 18, 2012

Rick... I built one of these as well... still tweaking it.. let me tell you what I did yesterday which helped a TON... I measured the whole that I cut in the bottom of the steamer (12.5") so then I took some 1/4" steel plate and cut an 11.5" disk out of it... I then made a grate that will go all the way down in the bottom of the steamer and sit on the lip that is left after cutting the bottom out... Now I set the 1/4" plate down on that grate and have a 1" opening around the edge of the plate... I took an old cast iron skillet (10") and cut the handle off and set that down in on the plate... The 1/4" plate acts as a "tuning plate" ( I actually wished it was a little bit bigger around so the open gap is only a 1/2")... But anyways... The plate and the skillet together act as a BIG heat sync... I fired it up last night at 1700 and left vents wide open to see how high it would go... I closed the vents back down at 325`... So then I tried to keep it around 225` and let it go ALL NIGHT on what little bit of charcoal I can put in it... It was still going at 0700 this morning and some of the charcoal didn't even light yet... I closed the vents and went to work...

I first tried the 12" clay saucer deal that others have used... It worked ok... the highest I could get was 240` with all vents wide open... after i was done with it and let it cool... I started tearing it down and come to find out.. the NEW clay saucer I just bought that morning was broke in half already... that's why I tried the 1/4" plate instead... I was trying to get the plate big enough to where it would run around 300` with all vents wide open.. but I cut the plate a little to small... think I might cut another one a little bigger and try again...I'm also gonna add this to my post on the build... PM me if ya need better explanation

Dunno If you seen my build... I went with 4 grates.. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...emp-difference-need-your-thoughts#post_838004

BGKYSmoker · Jul 19, 2012

Yeah JD i seen yours. Looks very good, i like the expanded steel you used and the grates.

This being a pretty crude assembly with not having my tools (back up in PA) It turned out pretty good.

I used the steamer insert for a hole template.

sjr.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

sjr1.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

sjr2.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

sjr3.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

Next drilled 4 holes for the deflector to sit on (got one hole off center) no biggie.

sjr9.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

Going to try the clay pan before i cut into something else.

sjr8.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

Drilled 4 holes for the grate. Drilled 3" down from the top. All the bolts, nuts, washer are SS.

sjr7.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

Washed the body and racks and started the charcoal/wood for a season. Used my Looft Lighter to start the charcoal.

sjr6.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

sjr16.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

Smoke em

sjr15.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

sjr12.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

sjr10.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

Next drilled the flange for a 5" bolt to adjust the dampers. Did this last.

DSCF1495.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

sjr17.JPG

BGKYSmoker
Jul 19, 2012

No i gotta find a place in the RV for the little guy.

JckDanls 07 · Jul 19, 2012

Rick.. make sure you do the upside down can deal for the ashes (intake vent)... my first run the ashes did clog the intake ... how did it work for ya?? (temp wise)

My grates are 1"x1" square Stainless Steel screen from the salt screener at work... we screen and bag water softner salt

BGKYSmoker · Jul 19, 2012

JckDanls 07 said:
Rick.. make sure you do the upside down can deal for the ashes (intake vent)... my first run the ashes did clog the intake ... how did it work for ya?? (temp wise)
My grates are 1"x1" square Stainless Steel screen from the salt screener at work... we screen and bag water softner salt

Worked pretty good for the season. Dampers worked good. But yes the can i, going to do. Did some vent adjustments and got 300*. Did more adjustments and got 247-253 fluctuations for 3 hours.

Im pretty happy with it and its already got a home in the RV.

daveomak · Jul 20, 2012

JckDanls 07 said:
Rick.. make sure you do the upside down can deal for the ashes (intake vent)... my first run the ashes did clog the intake ... how did it work for ya?? (temp wise)

My grates are 1"x1" square Stainless Steel screen from the salt screener at work... we screen and bag water softner salt

Rick and Jack, morning.... I use the same weber for steaks etc..... Tell me more about the can idea...... Also, I am thinking about doing the same thing, (small smoker).... I need a schematic or something to help me through all these ideas.... Dave needs pictures... I am trying to figure out how all those parts fit together to make it work.....

Dave

fpnmf · Jul 20, 2012

Looking good Rick!

BGKYSmoker · Jul 20, 2012

DaveOmak said:
Rick and Jack, morning.... I use the same weber for steaks etc..... Tell me more about the can idea...... Also, I am thinking about doing the same thing, (small smoker).... I need a schematic or something to help me through all these ideas.... Dave needs pictures... I am trying to figure out how all those parts fit together to make it work.....

Dave

Dave

Here is the damper (can cover) you will need for the smokey joe (silver). The following photos are not of my build (yet)

dampercover1.jpg

BGKYSmoker
Jul 20, 2012

dampercover2.jpg

BGKYSmoker
Jul 20, 2012

dampercover3.jpg

BGKYSmoker
Jul 20, 2012

OR

chamber3.jpg

BGKYSmoker
Jul 20, 2012

daveomak · Jul 20, 2012

That makes sense.... Thanks..... I hit the box store and they had replacement cooking grates in stock... Now to find a pot or a reasonable facsimile.... Dave

BGKYSmoker · Jul 20, 2012

DaveOmak said:
That makes sense.... Thanks..... I hit the box store and they had replacement cooking grates in stock... Now to find a pot or a reasonable facsimile.... Dave

Dave

Try a restaurant supply store or a spanish food store.

JckDanls 07 · Jul 20, 2012

Rick... I'm reading where everbody is giving up on the charcoal basket... works better without it...

daveomak · Jul 20, 2012

Jack evening..... If Rick suggests a charcoal basket and sends a picture to boot..... Dave is going to put a charcoal basket in it.... No offense.... I may find out it works better without it, but for now, basket it is..... Ain't being a hard arse.... Just following Rick's design....

Dave

JckDanls 07 · Jul 20, 2012

no big deal... doesn't bother me any... have at it

BGKYSmoker · Jul 21, 2012

JckDanls 07 said:
Rick... I'm reading where everbody is giving up on the charcoal basket... works better without it...

TYVM

Im nixing the basket then. you just save me a few $ on tools

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