My first shot at a build mostly scratch!

mikeweber83 · Apr 30, 2015

So I've been lurking around here for awhile checking out people hard work and i finally had the opportunity to get in there and make my own. I work at a trailer manufacturer so i have ready access to reasonably prices metal and i have been learning to weld over the last couple of years. Also since we moved all of our now distant family decided the 4th of July would be a good time to visit and i don't/didn't have a smoker yet! So i got a little kick in the butt to jump in and get it going.

I haven't taken many photos through the build as I am literally spending my 45 minute lunch breaks hauling ass on this thing. tomorrow i will be two weeks of lunch breaks into it and hopefully finish my racks and ventilation setup so i can bring it home where i wont need the plasma cutter or welder anymore. Heres what ive got so far... sorry for my potato phone

This is the face of the smoker laying on its back without the firebox attached yet

IMAG0171.jpg

mikeweber83
Apr 30, 2015

a week later or so and i now had the firebox attached and it grew legs also

IMAG0172.jpg

mikeweber83
Apr 30, 2015

This is what i worked on today and i like how it came out. its 1 1/4 x 1/8 inch mild steel flat strap with a 1/2 x 1 1/14 inch punch this will be my fire grate. measures 12x22

IMAG0177.jpg

mikeweber83
Apr 30, 2015

My racks will be the same stuff as my fire grate but laid flat instead of on angles. Tomorrow i will have more pictures for sure and hopefully i will be burning it off while i post them!

mikeweber83 · Apr 30, 2015

i cant see my post is anyone else seeing it? im brand new here ugh

mikeweber83 · Apr 30, 2015

I fixed it i am apparently better at making things than posting pictures of them!

smokejumper · Apr 30, 2015

Welcome mikeweber83,

We can see your post just fine.

What I see is looking good so far....but....

Is there actually a cook chamber behind the "face" or door you show? Maybe it is just the side view angle of the photo, but it looks like the door is not attached to anything.

The fire grate looks like a winner. Very nice.

smokejumper · Apr 30, 2015

I also see that Ryan was there.

You might want to give him a talking to.

foamheart · May 1, 2015

mikeweber83 said:
I fixed it i am apparently better at making things than posting pictures of them!

Do a hard boot and try again. I had the same script problem earlier as well.

mikeweber83 · May 1, 2015

smokejumper yea its just the angle ill have more pictures later

mikeweber83 · May 1, 2015

Ok i just got her home from work! here is a few more pictures cleaned up with the racks in. i will be burning it out and seasoning this afternoon! any tips on seasoning a new smoker i should be aware of?

IMAG0181.jpg

mikeweber83
May 1, 2015

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mikeweber83
May 1, 2015

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mikeweber83
May 1, 2015

smokejumper · May 1, 2015

Most folks just spray the inside of the CC with vegetable oil (Pam works well) then fire it up as hot as you can, but keep it below 500°.

mikeweber83 · May 1, 2015

sweet thanks. i have heard about the pam spray just wasnt quite sure of the temperature but since vegetable oil scorches around 450-500 i figured that was prolly the max. time to drag it into the yard and start the finishing touches.

mikeweber83 · May 1, 2015

First coat of ultra on with me for scale.

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mikeweber83
May 1, 2015

I wanted to get at least one good coat on before i burn it out and season it seeing as my wife has already invited people for pastrami tomorrow. i guess ill be up late getting this bugger in shape for a proper meat day party as my family has come to call it.

smokejumper · May 2, 2015

Nothing like the wife scheduling a meat day party to get you to finish up your build!

grillmonkey · May 2, 2015

Great job on the smoker and great job on the post.

timtimmay · May 2, 2015

Really cool smoker great work. Looks like you could fit 8 butts in there at one!

mikeweber83 · May 2, 2015

its currently holding whats left after trimming of a 16.5 lb brisket for pastrami. im realizing i should have made more rack slots for things like this and ribs. then i could just remove some racks for butts and turkeys and such

mikeweber83 · May 2, 2015

heres a quick q-view for you boys. yes there is 3 pieces out of one brisket i messed up when i separated the flat and point. i haven't done my own pastrami in a couple years and i goofed. it still tastes the same haha

IMAG0187.jpg

mikeweber83
May 2, 2015

mikeweber83 · May 2, 2015

SmokeJumper said:
Nothing like the wife scheduling a meat day party to get you to finish up your build!

no shit on that one especially when she might just be as crazy about smoked meat as i am haha

smokejumper · May 2, 2015

That meat looks awesome!
Did you cure your pastrami?

mikeweber83 · May 2, 2015

i brine it two weeks. never done the pink stuff myself as i find this works for me. i got ahread of myself on this one and its ki.da salty i hope i can save it by reheating it in boiling water after i slice it. silly me didnt pan fry a tester oh well

My first shot at a build mostly scratch!

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