new member, modding my first smoker

danreeve

Fire Starter

Original poster

Jun 13, 2009

49

10

• Jun 13, 2009

• #1

Hey everyone,

I posted a intro for myself in the new members section but I thought I'd post my pictures of my first smoker and the mods I have started on it so you guys can see the progress. I am a 100% new smoker owner and am very excited to get this thing going and hopefully make some good food.

All of my mods are from reading these boards.

Here is what I bought off of craigslist for 40 bucks

my first mod, the dryer tube smokestack

my next mod was some metal tape I bought and sprayed with high temp black paint to cover up holes on the side of the main chamber. No picture of this because...well... it's black metal tape...


next was the baffle I had a friend who is a welder make for me.

that's it so far. I bought two of these off of ebay..

that I want to put on each end of the main chamber. I am having a hard time drilling the 13/16 inch holes (broke the bit I bought) but I think with a better drill, I'll be ok.

after that... I need a charcoal basket/holder. That should be interesting.

more pictures to come later... any advice or idea would be awesome.

Thanks guys

Dan

 

T

teacup13

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Feb 22, 2007

1,391

12

Sault Ste Marie,ON

• Jun 13, 2009

• #2

nice mods so far.

as far as your bit breakage, why not try a hold saw..will make short work of that hole

 

danreeve

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 13, 2009

49

10

• Jun 13, 2009

• #3

ya that's what I tried and I broke the pilot bit in the middle before the saw part got locked in. hopefully I have better luck in the morning.

 

ericjeeper

Fire Starter

Jun 5, 2009

39

10

Martinsville, Indiana

• Jun 13, 2009

• #4

If you have a 1/2 inch drill motor. You can get a 3/4 inch bit that is stepped down to have for the chuck.. Then it will just take a little twisting of the drilto over size the hole enough for the extra sixteenth. I wallered a 3/4 to 7/8 in just a few seconds to mount mine.

 

billbo

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Aug 19, 2007

1,393

34

Upstate NY

• Jun 13, 2009

• #5

Great job so far! Congrats on the smoker, that will be the best $40.00 you have ever spent.

 

T

teacup13

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Feb 22, 2007

1,391

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Sault Ste Marie,ON

• Jun 13, 2009

• #6

do what i do first when i have broken the bit on my hole saw... drill the hole first...it also sounds like your bit either wasnt sharp or wasnt tight

cant wait to see more updates

 

old poi dog

Master of the Pit

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Aug 26, 2007

1,232

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Maui, Hi.

• Jun 13, 2009

• #7

Thats's a good score at $40.00. What are you planning to to smoke on its first outing? Have fun. :>)

 

danreeve

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 13, 2009

49

10

• Jun 13, 2009

• #8

update

with the help of my brother and his more powerful drill here is the installed thermometers. (and it's lit for the first time)

now just need a charcoal basket. maybe new wheels?

also, what are some ideas for the stock thermometer, or hole that it will leave if I take it out. It is broken so can you replace them with stock from charbroil?

oh and I'd love some better handles. Anyone have a recommendation?

 

danreeve

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 13, 2009

49

10

• Jun 13, 2009

• #9

my first attempt at smoking meat.

I'm pretty happy with how it looks.... now taste... we'll see.

 

iron

Fire Starter

May 9, 2009

51

10

Wisconsin

• Jun 14, 2009

• #10

That all looks great...my wife just bought me a new smoker identical to that....( i wont tell her what you paid...lol) i have done some of the same mods and did a bunch of chicken today all was good and tasty
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...Picture003.jpg

LOL.... 40 bux..!! you stink..(jk)

 

trashcan

Smoke Blower

Jun 10, 2009

110

10

Chicaaaaah-gow

• Jun 14, 2009

• #11

I just bought the exact same make and model for eighty off craigslist. I was going to brag but now I'm just jealous.

 

drmlabs

Newbie

Jun 14, 2009

2

10

• Jun 14, 2009

• #12

nice job so far with the mods. And that bird looks about perfect. As for a charcoal basket, there are some retail ones around last I looked. Not sure how much. And it looks like you got yourself a polder? You go for the wired or the wireless?
Speaking of grills, I was at a flea market in Marblehead today and found a great metal stand with wheels and a front door with two shelves inside, made of a medium gage steel. Been wanted a stand for my Primo ceramic for years & finally found it. 5 bucks hehe

 

jirodriguez

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Jun 5, 2009

4,656

143

Portland, OR

• Jun 14, 2009

• #13

Unless you are moving your smoker around I wouldn't bother with wheels (unless you really want to). I only move mine 2X a year to haul it out front for a good clean and pressure wash.

As for your charcoal basket - if you dont find one to buy.... hit up your welder friend

Grats on the GREAT deal... the birds looking good!

 

caljr

Fire Starter

Apr 2, 2009

35

10

Denver Colorado

• Jun 14, 2009

• #14

Nice mods so far. Here is what I did to mine. Works great!
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...941#post299941

 

danreeve

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 13, 2009

49

10

• Jun 18, 2009

• #15

so I bought some gasket rope today. You guys think the best place to put it is on the bottom of the smoke chamber, butted up to the lip? I noticed on my first smoke that most of the leak seemed to be coming from the front of the lid.

my charcoal basket should come Thursday also.. just in time for my weekend smoke. yea!


Dan

 

danreeve

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Jun 13, 2009

49

10

• Jun 18, 2009

• #16

Update

Charcoal basket welded and installed

still have to put the gasket rope on (not sure of the best placement) and then pretty much done.