My $5.00 Craigslist find

dirtsailor2003 · Nov 2, 2012

I love to tinker and all those fancy Mini-WSM builds on here almost had me going out and spending full price for a little Weber so I could build my own. After browsing Amazon, I decided to take a quick look at Craigslist for my area. Low and behold there was a $15 Weber Smokey Joe silver and there was this gem of a deal for $5!!!!!:

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dirtsailor2003
Nov 2, 2012

As the seller stated, a little dusty, used once to go camping with his family, the type that would rather camp at a Hilton...

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dirtsailor2003
Nov 2, 2012

It came pre-seasoned from its one and only use. The Charcoal Chimney never had so I figured I better give it a test

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dirtsailor2003
Nov 2, 2012

Everyone in our house agreed, the Chimney did work!

Now I'm off to source the remainder of the parts I'll need to start my Mini-WSM! My better Half did give me the "what do we need that" lecture. So I'm going to have to make sure the final graphics and paint scheme are to her approval!

frosty · Nov 2, 2012

What a bargain! Great score, and good luck with using it many, many times.

rabbithutch · Nov 2, 2012

Man! You scored big time!

Steak looks delicious.

venture · Nov 2, 2012

Good deal! Those Webers will last your lifetime.

Good luck and good smoking.

diggingdogfarm · Nov 2, 2012

Cool!

~Martin

dirtsailor2003 · Nov 4, 2012

Well after hitting every store in town, including the local restaurant supply, the Hispanic food supply it seems that tamales are not cooked in Central Oregon. So I am going to have to order a Tamale steamer from Amazon. That'll be a little bit of a set back, I had hoped to have this Mini-WSM all assembled this weekend! Maybe next weekend!

rabbithutch · Nov 4, 2012

Howdy, dirtsailor !

After stealing that little smokey joe and chimney, you shouldn't feel too badly about having to get a tamale steamer off the inter webs.

Drop on down to TX and about every supermarket and wally world has 'em.

dirtsailor2003 · Nov 4, 2012

thought there'd be no problem sourcing one here, we have Wally world, Target, a Bargreen Ellingson Restaurant supply, several Hispanic markets, nope no go. Ordered mine on Amazon today, $29.99 free two day shipping. Will have it on Wednesday! This is the best tiem of year to find BBQ deals on Craigslist!!!

dirtsailor2003 · Nov 26, 2012

Due to life, work , etc... I had to put this on the back burner until the holiday weekend. I finally was able to work on it. I've been staring at the steamer in it's box for 3 weeks. Amazon buy, $29.99

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dirtsailor2003
Nov 25, 2012

It's the Vasconia tamale steamer and I like the idea of using the lid as a base.

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dirtsailor2003
Nov 25, 2012

The Lid

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dirtsailor2003
Nov 25, 2012

I decided to use the hole approach instead of cutting out the bottom. I figure that if I want I can always cut out the bottom later. I used the steamer insert as a pattern for the holes.

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dirtsailor2003
Nov 25, 2012

I attached the lid to the bottom with 4 # 10 machine screws, nuts and lock washers. I drilled the holes with a 1/2" bit. Seems my unibit is MIA, so enlarging them is going to have to wait.

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dirtsailor2003
Nov 25, 2012

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dirtsailor2003
Nov 25, 2012

Supports for the upper rack, 4 1/2" down from the rim.

Now I have to wait for my Hi-temp paint to show up!

1beezer · Nov 26, 2012

Cool. Just curious though, you say You're waiting for high temp paint to arrive. As far as I know if that is aluminum paint won't stick unless it's primed with zinc chromate or an etching primer of sort and I don't know if it is high temp. Just thinking outloud here.

dirtsailor2003 · Nov 26, 2012

1Beezer,

You are correct aluminum can be a bear to paint as it oxidizes to fast. The paint that is coming my way has a primer. I'm not sure if its etching or what the brand is, a friend of mine works at APS (Automotive Paint Specialties) and he is the one getting the paints for me. With that said I have read multiple threads on guys painting their mini WSM's with just off the shelf HI-temp (VHT, Duplicolor, Rustoleum etc..). One thing I haven't seen though is how they hold up. Only time will tell, if it all chips off, I'm sure it will still smoke some good food!

rabbithutch · Nov 26, 2012

FWIW the little smoker works fine without paint (at least mine does).

I'm curious to know how you like the Vasconia steamer. Both the IMUSA and the Vasconia are widely available here in Texas. I opted for the IMUSA because I liked the heft and feel of it better than the Vasconia. That is not to say that one is better than the other; it was just my opinion when comparing them.

If I thought " 'er indoors" wouldn't bust my chops for it, I'd but the Vasconia just to give it a go.

Congratulations on gettin 'er done !

I think you're gonna have a lot of fun.

dirtsailor2003 · Nov 26, 2012

Rabbithutch,

I just want to dress it up a bit for tailgating and showing our team spirit!!!

Not having or ever seen an IMUSA in person for comparison I have no complaints about the Vasconia pot. Super easy to work with which is nice. The price on Amazon with Prime free shipping was great. I looked for one locally here, even at the restaurant supply store and they all looked at me like I was crazy! I didn't even bother telling them what I was going to do with it they would've had me picked up and thrown in the looney bin! I just found another Smokey Joe on CL that I may pick up, that ought to go over well with the missus, she already thinks I'm nutz! I have just as much fun tinkering with outdoor cooking equipment as I do cooking on it! My first and last charcoal smoker was an old Meco, I'll never forget smokinfg my first turkey on that in 20 degree weather!

driedstick · Nov 26, 2012

I see you put the lid for the base?? did you drill holes in it also? I just drilled holes in bottom of pot and set it in nice and snug worked great, lid is a round somewhere?? make sure you show paint job when done. never did paint mine I love it thou and i'm sure you will too. I use mine strickly cold smoking with ampt in bottom.

dirtsailor2003 · Nov 26, 2012

Driedstick, I bolted the lid to the bottom of the pot and drilled through the lid and the bottom. I use the steamer insert as a template. Right now only 1/2" holes. I may try it that way for a smoke or two. If I don't like the temp control, I'll drill some of them to 1", or get out the Bosch jigsaw and cut the whole bottom out!

I plan on using this smoker for camping and boat camping. I may even put straps on it and use it as a backpack for overnight hiking trips! It should be able to hold all my beer, I mean gear...

rabbithutch · Nov 27, 2012

Good job, dirtsailor!

You will be fine with the Vasconia. I live in tamale country - AND it's getting to be tamale season.

Be sure to post more pics!!

And, PLEASE - don't tell me you picked up another smokey joe for $5. :biggrin:

dirtsailor2003 · Dec 18, 2012

Okay this is killing me! Too cold to paint, so I think I'm going to have to fire this puppy up and smoke something. then paint it in the spring! Maybe some injected hot wings those are hard to screw up!!!

dirtsailor2003 · Jan 1, 2013

Well today I made a mod to the mini-wsm, I added two rubber grommets to the side for temp probes. I was only going to do one, but the grommets came two to a pack. The first I put just below the top rack. This will allow me to remove the rack without moving the probe. The other is just above the lower rack. I will need to move the probe to get the rack out but that's not a big deal as I don't see a need to remove that rack during a smoke. It has to be tipped to get it out so if it has food on it it won't be moving!

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dirtsailor2003
Jan 1, 2013

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dirtsailor2003
Jan 1, 2013

Can see the upper probe

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dirtsailor2003
Jan 1, 2013

Couldn't find my 10" saucer so going with a 12" for tonight's smoke

eh76 · Jan 1, 2013

Man you stole that thing .....great score!

My Weber Smoky Joe is going on 22 years old and still going!

dirtsailor2003 · Jan 2, 2013

It works!!!! Here's a link to my first smoke!!!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...-smoke-in-the-mini-wsm-drool-view#post_909607

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dirtsailor2003
Jan 1, 2013

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dirtsailor2003
Jan 1, 2013

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