First time Mini WSM

grumpysmoke · Jul 23, 2012

So after browsing this forum I have decided to build a Mini WSM. I intend to use it for cold as well as hot smoking.

Want to be able to do Ribs, ABT's Salmon, etc. as well as cold smoke cheeses.

Just ordered a Smokey Joes Gold and have sent an email to Todd as to which of his products will work best with a WMS.

As I gather all of the pieces together I will be posting QViews along with the build process.

Naturally, I would appreciate any suggestions, advice along the way.

I intend to take my time with this so postings may take a little bit, just want to do it right the first time.

As they say, measure twice, cut once. If at any time during the build process I get stumped, confused, exasperated, or otherwise DGAS, I will stop and post the problem for forum members to offer their input.

Hopefully, this will turn into a nice build with everybodys help.

Nice to be here,

GrumpySmoke

daveomak · Jul 24, 2012

Grumpy, morning and welcome to the forum..... This is a great forum and great members willing to share their knowledge.... Glad you stopped in.... Dave

mdboatbum · Jul 24, 2012

Welcome Grumpy. Good choice on going with the Gold version of the Smokey Joe, as in my opinion it works a lot better for lower temp smoking than the Silver. One thing you may want to think about is making a charcoal basket. I used a stainless steel colander at first, which worked well but didn't hold enough coals for longer cooks. I've since made a basket using an aluminum mesh "gutter guard" I got for $3.99 at Ace hardware. It was roughly 4.5"x36". I bent it into a ring a fraction of an inch larger in circumference than the charcoal grate and wired it together. Then I bent the lower 1" inwards, forming a lip on the inside on which the grate sits. This way, I can easily remove the grate and still use the grill in "grill mode. The basket sits roughly 1/2" above the top of the top of the grill and easily inside the hole in the bottom of the pot. I've not yet tested it, so I can't comment on it's effectiveness, but I'm thinking if it doesn't melt, it should work very well. It's pretty heavy gauge aluminum, so hopefully it'll hold up for a while. The reason I suggest the basket is that if you just dump the coals in the bowl, especially if you fill it up to try for a longer cook, it doesn't get enough air to burn uniformly and ends up kind of only burning next to the vents. Good luck and let us know how your build goes!

grumpysmoke · Jul 28, 2012

Received my SJG late yesterday. Going on the "Steamer Hunt" this morning and to gather all the other hardware I will need.

Interestingly enough, I ran across a reference to a 36qt steamer that is supposed to work and is heavier gauge than the Imusa. Going to check it out first. If not, I have several Imusa steamers lined up that I can try.

Side note: I was browsing other forums and ran across this dated June 27, 2011

http://tvwbb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3471094836/m/5870049575/p/36

I quote:

Regarding these pots, I have been in contact with the president of IMUSA here is my reply from him on this.

Hi Jeff,

That is correct, the stock pot itself has two different molds. Unfortunately, the made in Colombia was discontinued late last year as a result of manufacturing issues with the mold which forced us to stop producing them..

Thanks again for your interest.

Best,

Manny Gaunaurd
President
IMUSA USA, LLC

grumpysmoke · Jul 29, 2012

As it turned out the 36qt was a no go. Got the Made in China Imusa at my next stop. So on with the qview....

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

Extra grates and expanded metal

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

grumpysmoke · Jul 29, 2012

Template for cutting out the bottom

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

Cut hole in lid as well (got this idea from another site but can't remember where)

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

Attaching lid to bottom of pot

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

Center drilled handle rivet for temp probe

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

All done and ready for trial run.

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

grumpysmoke · Jul 29, 2012

Noticed when assembling that the grates are a little tight and as my fat little fingers are to big to fit in between the spaces, I decided to make some handles using 1/8 plain round rod I found at Home Depot. Two 36" lengths cut down to 12" pieces

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

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Jul 29, 2012

mdboatbum · Jul 29, 2012

Using the lid for the base is BRILLIANT!! Thankfully I saved my lid and just went and checked the fit. Perfect. The pot fits inside the lid really snug, and the lip sits on the grill like it was made for it. Do you mind me asking how you attached the lid to the bottom of the pot? I was thinking rivets or maybe hi temp epoxy.

grumpysmoke · Jul 29, 2012

Attached lid initially with pop rivets but the aluminum on these pots is so thin that today I am going to redo it and use Stainless bolts/nuts along with washers to adjust spacing. Hardest thing is making sure the lid doesn't shift while attaching it and cause uneven spacing or tilt to the pot. Will Qview when I do it.

Glad you like it and good luck.

grumpysmoke · Jul 29, 2012

From the inside:

Bottom grate is charcoal grate from SJG

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

Forgot the clay saucer so took the cut-outs from bottom of pot, lid and also cut-out from steamer tray, wrapped in heavy duty foil.

Figure for the initial burn-in that this would at least provide a heat shield.

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

Next grate, bottom cooking grate, sitting where steamer tray would sit. Notice that the Wire ring is bent where the handles are?

That is because the supports for middle tray were a little to close to the bottom and bottom grate would not clear them without the bends.

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

Middle grate.

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Jul 29, 2012

Top grate. Will be posting qwiew of initial burn-in next.

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Jul 29, 2012

hankaye · Jul 29, 2012

GrumpySmoke, Howdy;

You didn't show cuttin' out the steamer rack, How big of a hole did ya make and

are ya usin' it (the outer portion), for any part of the 'works' ???

Basic courisocity gets me askin' ?'s

Thanks for your thoughts...

hank

grumpysmoke · Jul 29, 2012

Initial burn in. Loaded 50 Kingsford Mesquite Briquettes. Using 15 lit ones (in the center) to start the rest of the coals using Minion Method

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

Bottom vents 3/4, or so, open

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

10 minutes into burn, temp at top vent which is wide open......

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

20 minutes in, side port.....

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grumpysmoke
Jul 29, 2012

30 minutes in, still in side port....

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Jul 29, 2012

To be continued....

grumpysmoke · Jul 29, 2012

Cut Steamer rack same size as all the others basically using the same original template.

Cut-outs are approx 8 1/2 inces.

As much as I hate to discard any material, I could not find any use for the outer portion.

Guess I could quarter it and feed it into the foil wrapped saucers? LOL

Going to be making a charcoal basket next, try another burn in and see what happens.

Also going to get clay saucer and try that.

Goal is to get a good 6 to 8 hour burn while maintaining a safe temp.

Maybe even an overnight burn.

grumpysmoke · Jul 30, 2012

1 hour in...

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grumpysmoke
Jul 30, 2012

2 hours...

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grumpysmoke
Jul 30, 2012

Took lid off for picture of temp probe.

You can see the white lead with a black tip...

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grumpysmoke
Jul 30, 2012

Temp dropped to 212 while lid was off...

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grumpysmoke
Jul 30, 2012

Recovered nicely within 2 minutes...

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grumpysmoke
Jul 30, 2012

Sitting in an ice bath...

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Jul 30, 2012

In ice bath, guess this one doesn't like the cold...

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Jul 30, 2012

Boiling water...

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Jul 30, 2012

Boiling water, more accurate at high temp...

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grumpysmoke
Jul 30, 2012

Went and checked on the smoker every hour until .....

At 5 hours...

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grumpysmoke
Jul 30, 2012

This completes the initial build and burn in.

Next up, which I will be doing today, is attach the lid (bottom) a little better using stainless bolts.

Making charcoal basket from expanded metal.

Personalizing the smoker drum.

Thanks for viewing and keep on smoking.

grumpysmoke · Jul 30, 2012

Just had to do this...

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grumpysmoke
Jul 30, 2012

2 coats Rustoleum high temp primer then 2 coats glossy black.

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Jul 30, 2012

GrumpySmoke

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grumpysmoke
Jul 30, 2012

mdboatbum · Aug 9, 2012

Ok, I don't think this forum has any sort of awards for builds or cooks, but if there is, I nominate you in the category of "Best Mini WSM".

FANTASTIC BUILD!! I love the graphic too.

smokinhusker · Aug 9, 2012

I like it and the graphic too! Nice job and great tutorial...thanks!

hankaye · Aug 9, 2012

Grumpy, Howdy;

When you re-attached the lid the the pot's bottom did you,

use anything other than the ss bolts washers and nuts, such

as a sealant or gasketing material?

Ya do have one of the better lookin' minis to date.

hank

scarbelly · Aug 9, 2012

Great job - looks awesome especially with the logo

grumpysmoke · Aug 9, 2012

I can't thank everybody enough for all the kind comments.

Glad you like it.

Have been a bit busy lately taking care of other stuff, BUT, will be posting Qview of charcoal basket build, attaching lid to bottom, etc.

Will try to answer all questions at that time.

Thanks for viewing and keep on smoking.

First time Mini WSM

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