Building a Mini Weber Smokey Mountain in Texas (Mini WSM)

[little smokey]

So the stencil you used was a sticker that you just painted over and peeled off correct? Anybody know of a good place to buy them online cheap?
Great job by the way it looks awesome!

 

[bdskelly]

Howdy Smokey! Dutch asked the same question and I PMed him with my answer below. Honestly the hardest part of this build was finding a decal that was cut out like a stencil. I finally found on on ebay.

My PM to Dutch: 

Finding the stencil was the hardest part of the build.  I went to every craft shop in town!  Nothing…. Tried buying a regular decal and chopping on it with an exacto knife. ..looked like Hell.

Then I searched ebay...

What I used for my Rangers stencil is actually a window stick with no background. Bought it on Ebay.  Advertised like this:

Texas Rangers

 Vinyl Car Window Decal (White)

Approximately  5.50"x 5.50"

7yr. 2 mil. 3M Scotchcal Premium Gloss White Vinyl

This is a one color decal (White) with NO  Black background,

The background will be the surface color it's applied to.

Other Colors & Sizes Available.

Look for a "Scotch Cal with no background". The guy I bought is from on ebay is rdnzla. You can search for his decals by that name. It looks like he makes them and they are all the stencil type.  Just peel off the adhesive side.  Apply it to the smoker then pull off the backing side. Paint over it, let dry, and then peel the decal off. Easy! 

Dutch I think if you write this guy he can make what you want.

Here is a link to his ebay stuff

http://www.ebay.com/sch/rdnzla/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

Hope that helps ya! 

Brian

 

[little smokey]

Thanks for the Info on the guy on Ebay, just emailed him for my decals.  Can't believe his pricing, that is cheap.

Thanks again.

 

[foamheart]

 

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• bdskelly
• Dec 31, 2013

 Glad I found this thread, obviously either I don't understand /follow or its broken.

Looks really nice Brian, I now know why we have not seen too much cooking over the holiday. Now the important question will it fit in the over head so you can take it to work?

Really nice construction, nice paint, I am starting to believe you might have missed your real calling.

Now you're going to have to start learning about how to make it purr like a kitten.

Beautiful pit, nice workmanship, I am impressed.

     

 

[bdskelly]

 
 Glad I found this thread, obviously either I don't understand /follow or its broken.

Looks really nice Brian, I now know why we have not seen too much cooking over the holiday. Now the important question will it fit in the over head so you can take it to work?

Really nice construction, nice paint, I am starting to believe you might have missed your real calling.

Now you're going to have to start learning about how to make it purr like a kitten.

Beautiful pit, nice workmanship, I am impressed.

     

Thanks Pal of mine.  I think that it will fit in the overhead compartment.  But the TSA might bitch about the smoke!

B

 

[foamheart]

 
ThaBut the TSA might bitch about the smoke!

B

Not if you are using pecan.

 

[jsclow]

This looks great. Mine is pretty much done in my head (so many times I lost count). Now all I have to do is put mind to matter. Just have to round up the parts... and that will be the challenge, but fun.

 

[texastiger]

that's an awesome build! I'm sitting next to my mini i built last fall while I smell the TBS from a brisket flat on it. I also have a 30" MES which I really like, but the mini is my go-to. I love it. It's rock solid at holding temperature and bounces back in a couple of minutes when I put the lid back on after mopping, etc.

If the wind was out of the right direction, you might be able to get a whiff of my smoke this evening from Plano! :biggrin:

 

[bdskelly]

that's an awesome build! I'm sitting next to my mini i built last fall while I smell the TBS from a brisket flat on it. I also have a 30" MES which I really like, but the mini is my go-to. I love it. It's rock solid at holding temperature and bounces back in a couple of minutes when I put the lid back on after mopping, etc.

If the wind was out of the right direction, you might be able to get a whiff of my smoke this evening from Plano!

Sounds like a great time TT!  When you get a moment. Post a photo of your unit in the Mini WSM forum in the " Post a Photo of your Completed Mini" thread. 

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...mini-wsm-here-mini-weber-smokey-mountain-mwsm

B

 

[tronbomb]

I really like your setup.  I'm basically using yours as the template for mine.  Can you tell me what the diameter hole you used as the bottom of the pot?  It looks like may be 11" but I was hoping to confirm.  Thanks again for the inspiration to build one.

 

[bdskelly]

Hi tron
I just got off the golf course and will measure for you when I get home. However as you can see from the photos all I did was use the 12 inch terra cotta saucer as the template. This left about an inch and a half lip

 

[tronbomb]

BD - 12" saucer is what I was looking for, no need to measure.  Thanks for the info.

 

[bdskelly]

 
Turn the 12" terra-cotta saucer upside down and us it as the template for your hole. Draw you cutting line with a pencil or sharpie.

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• bdskelly
• Dec 29, 2013

Yup it is that easy.  Let me know how I can help.

Brian

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Cool lookin project Brian, looks like a fun build ! I may have to make one of those someday.... That should make the Mrs. happy, another smoker.. LOL. Seriously though looks fun and also looks like your enjoying it ! Take care, Justin

 

[tronbomb]

Brian - Thanks to you my build is almost complete.  Cut out the bottom of the Vasconia attaching the lid like yours,  (6) 1/4" x 1/2" SS button socket screw with 1/4" nut and lock washer for the grates.  I don't have a third grate yet to rest on the steamer lip, if I get one, I think I might need to cut it like the bottom charcoal grate so it will clear the SS screws.  I cut the charcoal grate for the terra cotta saucer to sit on, although I can't seem to find a terra cotta saucer, might need to wait until Spring.  The vasconia fits into the SMG very well, I'm hoping to begin seasoning it this weekend and use the maverick Et 733 on it to see how it holds the temp.  Thanks again, pretty fun little project.

 

[bdskelly]

Happy to help Tron. Can't find a terra cotta saucer ? Then get an aluminum pie plate and fill it half way with some playground sand.
Now let's do some cooking!

 

[dirtsailor2003]

In all reality you can get away with using the steamer insert as a template for the bottom cut out. You can also use it as a diffuser. I currently use a chunk of granite when I need a diffuser.

 

[bdskelly]

In all reality you can get away with using the steamer insert as a template for the bottom cut out. You can also use it as a diffuser. I currently use a chunk of granite when I need a diffuser.

Yup.  What  my buddy Case said.  Though I've never tried it, I've seen many great meal made using only  the steamer plate as a heat defuser.  What you will find is that the different defuser methods will allow higher or lower temps. And you will use those various temps depending on what meat you are smoking. 

Lets say you want to smoke a chicken and want the skin crispy.  You'd use a higher temp and therefore use the steamer plate like Case mentioned.

Want to do a low and slow pork butt?  Then the terra cotta or pie pan with sand is you best bet because they retain heat and do a better job to stabilize your mini's temperature. 

Brian

 

[pc farmer]

I use just the steamer for the diffuser, no problems holding a low temp.   Last butt I cooked at 225 ( and held that temp like a rock ) for 9 hours, in the cold and wind.

 

[bdskelly]

 
I use just the steamer for the diffuser, no problems holding a low temp.   Last butt I cooked at 225 ( and held that temp like a rock ) for 9 hours, in the cold and wind.

Well there you go Ol' Buddy.  I stand corrected.  

What I use mostly for a defuser is a a throw away aluminum pie pan. Sometimes with sand. Sometimes without for higher temps. Maybe I'll just chunk the sand and see what happens.

Suggestion that you Case and Boat should write an instruction book for these things?  You've all been using them the longest or most.

 You can use my test data to suggest various methods. 

These were all done with a terra cotta defuser and specific amounts of charcoal .  Not sure how scientific it is but it sure helped me. 

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/155368/mini-weber-smokey-mountain-test-run-data