From Kelvinator to Hotrod

[schoms]

 

[sprky]

Cool looking smoker

 

[schoms]

I baught this Kelvinator from a guy on Craigslist and it was used as a wood/charcoal unit. I wanted to convert the frig to gas and thats what I did. When I first baught the frig it was painted a blue metallic with silver matallic flames. Looked cool but I wanted the Hotrod look. I added a grab bar on the back along with 2 handles on the sides, I then added the wood mount for the bottom of the smoker and added 4 pnumatic wheels on casters. 2 stationary on the back and 2 swiveling on the front. Next I added a false bottom on the fridge made of ply wood and covered it in galvanized sheet metal. After the false bottom was added I mounted two brackets bent out of flat steele and attached my grill burner. Next I added the controls and knob and connected my lp lines. Once the conversion was complete I decided to give it a facelift with the flat black and gloss flames on the bottom. I couldnt be more happier with how this turned out.

 

[schoms]

 

[big casino]

you did a better job, love them flames

 

[schoms]

 

[big casino]

now you need a complimenting Beer fridge to go with it

 

[schoms]

 

[schoms]

No kiddin!

 

[big casino]

also I gotta ask are you stick building that plane? or rebuilding one?
 

 

[schoms]

It is a buddy from work. I believe he is rebuilding.

 

[big casino]

cool, nice job on that smoker

 

[SmokinAl]

That smoker is way cool! Super job!!

 

[mneeley490]

Looks super! My only questions would be, why did you go with galvinized sheet metal? Is the metal exposed inside the unit?

 

[schoms]

It is, but I dont think it would get warm enough to be harmful or would it?

 

[scarbelly]

Wow that turned out great - nice work 

 

[big casino]

some say yes it can, others say no it won't I have heard that it would take temps of 700 degrees b4 it would put out any gasses, but I sure aint a metalurgist either, but It sure seems like some smokers like the big chiefs are made from galvanized, but I could be wrong about that too

 

[mneeley490]

It is, but I dont think it would get warm enough to be harmful or would it?

I'm not an expert, but there are others on this site who are. I've just read that the conventional wisdom is to not used anything galvinized in a smoker.

(I think the Big Chief smokers are aluminum.)

 

[thin blue smoke]

I want one! I want one!

That is way too cool.

 

[mballi3011]

Yes you did one fine job on the new smoker. My Dad had a refrig like that one that poured beer. My Mother got with a local bar owner (Pete's est. 1927) and they made one to hold keg beer. My folks partied alot even had a custom bar in the houses back room.