Another Newbie

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dave schiller

Meat Mopper
Original poster
Apr 7, 2017
287
65
Raleigh, NC
Hi, folks, from Raleigh, NC.   We have all manner of great BBQ joints in this part of the country, but the vast majority is pork.  Pulled, sliced, or chopped.  Brisket is available at some of the chain restaurants, but not at the classic, old time joints.

My wife gave me a copy of Aaron Franklin's book which is all about brisket.  I got intrigued with the idea of smoking brisket and found a horizontal smoker for sale here locally. The cost was $50 and located about 25 miles away.  It has the name New Braunfels on it, but I understand they sold out to Charbroil a number of years ago.

The smoker I bought probably weighs 250 pounds and is not one of the lightweight units common today.  My guess is this is one of the original units, prior to the Charbroil buyout.  I put my micrometer to work and measured the metal.  It's a good 1/8" thick.  I don't know the model, but the smoke chamber is 36x16 1/2" and there is a warming tray welded to the firebox lid.

I picked it up yesterday and am now in the process of cleaning it up.  There's a bit of light surface rust in places on the outside with a bit more on the inside.  But nothing that a scraper and wire brush won't take of.  After doing some cosmetic cleanup, I think I'll have an OK smoker.  I'll burn it out a couple of times to see if there any leaks.  Then a can of black grill paint, maybe some Permatex if there are any leaks, replace the wood handles will put it right. 

I'm excited and looking forward to smoking my first brisket.  I'll keep you posted.
 
Welcome aboard!

Sounds like you got a great deal on a well built smoker!

Looking forward to seeing it in action!

Al
 
Welcome from SC, Dave. It's good to have you on this great site. There are lots of really fine folks here who are always eager to share their ideas, recipes and tips. All you have to do is ask away and keep reading.

Good luck and good smoking, Joe. :grilling_smilie:
 
Hi Dave,

The smoker that you have is a New Braunfels Black Diamond smoker.  I used to use one just like the one that you described.  I cooked a lot of good BBQ in it.  The only reason that I got rid of it was I outgrew it.  I now babysit a 48” X 24” offset RF smoker.

Do a search query for “New Braunfels Black Diamond smoker” on the SMF site and you will find more information about your smoker then you knew existed.
 
Mr. Cameron nailed it; I have a NB Black Diamond.  I'm still in the refurbishing/refinishing process, but so far it's all cosmetic work.  The biggest issue I'm facing is sealing the gap between the fire box and the cooking chamber.  After removing the FB from the CC, cleaning up the rust etc., I see that there is a gap in one place that's over 1/8".  So I bought some 3/8" fiberglass rope to seal it all up.  The rope will compress to about 1/8" in the areas where needed.  Other than that, I'll do the usual cleanup and repaint, refurbish the wood, and a few mods like extending the stack down to the grate.

I'm considering installing a BBQ Guru temp control system.  Any thoughts about how they work on a horizontal smoker?
 
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Mr. Cameron nailed it; I have a NB Black Diamond.  I'm still in the refurbishing/refinishing process, but so far it's all cosmetic work.  The biggest issue I'm facing is sealing the gap between the fire box and the cooking chamber.  After removing the FB from the CC, cleaning up the rust etc., I see that there is a gap in one place that's over 1/8".  So I bought some 3/8" fiberglass rope to seal it all up.  The rope will compress to about 1/8" in the areas where needed.  Other than that, I'll do the usual cleanup and repaint, refurbish the wood, and a few mods like extending the stack down to the grate.

I'm considering installing a BBQ Guru temp control system.  Any thoughts about how they work on a horizontal smoker?

You've got a goodie, Dave. While not as widespread as some of the
 
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Thanks for the comments, Groucho.

That said, a few tidbits for you:

1. Repaint while you have it all apart. Last thing you want are rust stains flowing down between the CC and FB.

Absolutely, paint while apart.  That's a given.

2. Reassemble the CC and FB upside down. Let gravity work for you, instead of against you.

I'm not sure what you mean by upside down.  I'm now using a plastic milk crate and some boards to get the FB up to where the bolt holes line up, then sliding it into position.  For the final assembly with the gaskets in place, I'm considering putting the support on a little dolly on castor wheels so I can roll the FB into position, much like how jet engines are installed in airplanes.  I don't want to dislodge the gasket during the final assembly and the FB is heavy, requiring a bit of wrestling to position it.

3. Do not use nylon locking nuts on reassembly, as they will melt. Go old school: nut, bolt, washer, lock washer when putting back together.

Of course, no plastic, rubber, or nylon.

4. 3/8" rope may be too thick for what you're looking to do. Like I said, reassemble upside down, and cinch the hell out of the nut/bolt assembly: all I ever used on assembly were sheets of foil as gaskets that were compressed upon attachment, and nothing more was required.

As I said in another post, I found that only the bottom three bolts had been installed to attach the FB to the CC.  The ends of the two chambers are not flat and don’t mate up properly, creating areas where there is essentially no gap and areas where the gap is ~3/16" wide.  The rope I have is 3/8" dia. and will compress to about 1/16", so I'll let it compress where needed.  And I already have ALL the bolts and nuts (6) to install this time.  The use of foil is interesting.  I may go that route if the rope doesn't work out.

5. Make sure none of the attachment holes are missing the nut/bolt assembly. Often, this is found when these rigs change hands, and all that's needed are to get more nuts & bolts, and tighten as much as you can. In fact, you can drill a few more holes and add more to keep it all together to minimize smoke/heat leaks.

All holes are plugged with something; nothing is missing.

6. The old school legs had a plate spot welded into the tops of each of them. These plates had threaded studs that protruded, and went through holes shot in the bottom of the CC. If you don't have them, get some struts that go at a 45* angle from each leg and attach to the CC. They don't have to be more than about 6" long, but they will keep the stress off those little spot welds in the tops of the legs while you're moving it around.

I don’t see any spot welds; the legs and reinforcing plates are all bolted in place.  The smoker seems to be solid and rigid with no flexing.  I'll let it be (for now).

7. If you don't have one, look at this link: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/89796/i-call-it-the-20-20-charcoal-basket It will help with temp control as well--make sure that you keep it off the bottom, and keep the ashes cleared out underneath for efficient airflow.

I plan to burn wood for now, but will probably add a basket for charcoal later

While I haven't found a need for a Guru on this rig (don't care to have ash blown all over the CC and I can easily control temp without), I suppose if you had one, you could run with it. I just haven't found a need to go buy one, as I can control very easily by simply opening or closing the FB door more or less to throttle. Note: door, not damper. Damper is fine tuning, door makes wholesale changes. Enjoy your new toy--these are good rigs, although it may take a little time to dial it all in. Have a little patience, have fun, and good luck.

If I add the Guru, it will be later;  I hadn't  considered ashes being blown into the CC.  But all reviews and info I've seen seem to say the Guru is the way to go for even temps.  And the idea of loading the FB with wood and getting a good night of sleep appeals to me.  Good comment on the door vs. the damper.  My plan is to put it back together, fire it up, and play with maintaining the temp.  Then do the final painting.

I still have to make the usual modifications; installing a second thermometer at the grate level, extending the stack down to grate level, and fabricating a heat baffle from the FB.  Some reports suggest extending/lengthening the stack for better draft.  We'll see.  Also, there is a significant gap between the stack and the shell of the CC.  I guess I'll seal the up while it's apart.  Otherwise, what's the point of extending the stack for better draft if it leaks at the CC?

I've read so much by Aaron Franklin and others and watched so many videos my brain is full and so I'm ready to start cooking.  Wish me luck.
 
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Thanks for the comments, Groucho.

1. Repaint while you have it all apart. Last thing you want are rust stains flowing down between the CC and FB.

Absolutely, paint while apart.  That's a given.

2. Reassemble the CC and FB upside down. Let gravity work for you, instead of against you.

I'm not sure what you mean by upside down.  I'm now using a plastic milk crate and some boards to get the FB up to where the bolt holes line up, then sliding it into position.  For the final assembly with the gaskets in place, I'm considering putting the support on a little dolly on castor wheels so I can roll the FB into position, much like how jet engines are installed in airplanes.  I don't want to dislodge the gasket during the final assembly and the FB is heavy, requiring a bit of wrestling to position it.

3. Do not use nylon locking nuts on reassembly, as they will melt. Go old school: nut, bolt, washer, lock washer when putting back together.

Of course, no plastic, rubber, or nylon.

4. 3/8" rope may be too thick for what you're looking to do. Like I said, reassemble upside down, and cinch the hell out of the nut/bolt assembly: all I ever used on assembly were sheets of foil as gaskets that were compressed upon attachment, and nothing more was required.

As I said in another post, I found that only the bottom three bolts had been installed to attach the FB to the CC.  The ends of the two chambers are not flat and don’t mate up properly, creating areas where there is essentially no gap and areas where the gap is ~3/16" wide.  The rope I have is 3/8" dia. and will compress to about 1/16", so I'll let it compress where needed.  And I already have ALL the bolts and nuts (6) to install this time.  The use of foil is interesting.  I may go that route if the rope doesn't work out.

5. Make sure none of the attachment holes are missing the nut/bolt assembly. Often, this is found when these rigs change hands, and all that's needed are to get more nuts & bolts, and tighten as much as you can. In fact, you can drill a few more holes and add more to keep it all together to minimize smoke/heat leaks.

All holes are plugged with something; nothing is missing.

6. The old school legs had a plate spot welded into the tops of each of them. These plates had threaded studs that protruded, and went through holes shot in the bottom of the CC. If you don't have them, get some struts that go at a 45* angle from each leg and attach to the CC. They don't have to be more than about 6" long, but they will keep the stress off those little spot welds in the tops of the legs while you're moving it around.

I don’t see any spot welds; the legs and reinforcing plates are all bolted in place.  The smoker seems to be solid and rigid with no flexing.  I'll let it be (for now).

7. If you don't have one, look at this link: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/89796/i-call-it-the-20-20-charcoal-basket It will help with temp control as well--make sure that you keep it off the bottom, and keep the ashes cleared out underneath for efficient airflow.

I plan to burn wood for now, but will probably add a basket for charcoal later

While I haven't found a need for a Guru on this rig (don't care to have ash blown all over the CC and I can easily control temp without), I suppose if you had one, you could run with it. I just haven't found a need to go buy one, as I can control very easily by simply opening or closing the FB door more or less to throttle. Note: door, not damper. Damper is fine tuning, door makes wholesale changes. Enjoy your new toy--these are good rigs, although it may take a little time to dial it all in. Have a little patience, have fun, and good luck.

If I add the Guru, it will be later;  I hadn't  considere ashes being blown into the CC.  But all reviews and info I've seen seem to say the Guru is the way to go for even temps.  And the idea of loading the FB with wood and getting a good night of sleep appeals to me.  Good comment on the door vs. the damper.  My plan is to put it back together, fire it up, and play with maintaining the temp.  Then do the final painting.

I still have to make the usual modifications; installing a second thermometer at the grate level, extending the stack down to grate level, and fabricating a heat baffle from the FB.  Some reports suggest extending/lengthening the stack for better draft.  We'll see.  Also, there is a significant gap between the stack and the shell of the CC.  I guess I'll seal the up while it's apart.  Otherwise, what's the point of extending the stack for better draft if it leaks at the CC?

I've read so much by Aaron Franklin and others and watched so many videos my brain is full and so I'm ready to start cooking.  Wish me luck.
 
First, good luck again, as you'd requested.  What I meant was to turn the CC over on its top (without the stack) to attach the FB to it.  Seems no matter how much you try to jack up the FB while attaching, it wants to sag a little when it's attached.  This way, by putting it together upside down, it won't have a tendency to sag once you flip it right side up, and you've got a straight shot at the legs this way also.  You can also use splits in the basket:  I just cut them to fit, and it works well in keeping the sticks off the bottom.  Of course, you can use the grate for that too--I'd recommend turning it so the long edge of the grate is perpendicular to the length of the smoker, as it buys you another couple inches of clearance between the grate and the bottom.  

Baffle's a great idea:  recommend bolting it on as opposed to welding since it makes it much easier to clean underneath, and you may want to float tuning plates in the CC as well if you still have large temp differences from one end to the other.  Speaking of cleaning, you may want to put a drain plug in the far end of the CC--makes it much easier instead of trying to sop up all the grease and soapy water when you're done.  See if the thermometer is true while you have it apart: the boiling pan of water will tell you pretty quickly.  If so, just drop it down to grate level and get a plug for the original hole, and you're good to go.  Stack gasket:  foil's a great use here.  I tore several sheets off, traced the opening diameter onto the top sheet, folded them in half, cut out the now semi-circle, reopened the sheets, and voila:  instant foil gasket.  Worked like a champ for me, but if you've got quite a sizeable opening, it may not do the trick for you. 

Enjoy seeing some pics when your schedule allows--it's neat to see these old brutes having new life breathed back into them! 
 
Well, that worked, sort of, except for breaking up the sentence.  Let me do a bit of photo editing and I'll show a walk through of the refurbishing of my smoker.
 
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