Old School OK Joes

[Geos7812]

Does anyone have any advice regarding whether I will need to use High temp paint on the trailer of this smoker? I don’t have any idea how hot the steel of the trailer will get after a good long cook. I don’t want to go through all the trouble of repainting only to not do it correct. It looks to me that this pic shows some paint melting off just below the fire box. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Jonok]

Just splurge and buy something like PPG hi temp 900 (or whomever’s two or three part epoxy equivalent temperature tolerant coating). It will look better and last exponentially longer than anything out of a rattle can.

Realize that one part paints take weeks or months to reach their ultimate (most durable) cure state, while with an epoxy, you’re talking hours, to at most, a few days.

 

[Fueling Around]

I am not sure what a LyfeTime BBQ is. Mine is an Original Oklahoma Joes that was built before the sale.

Killer find!

The people that did the original OJ smokers (before it turned into the Oklahoma Joke) regrouped as Horizon http://www.horizonbbqsmokers.com/ Maybe you can get plates and racks from them.

Paint Stripper!? Ack!
Media blasting isn't terribly expensive and doesn't leave any nasty residue.

Are you going to leave it squat height on the trailer or re-mount it more comfortable?
Anything in direct contact needs hi temp paint. Anything withing about 18" of the firebox should be hi-temp.

 

[Geos7812]

Just splurge and buy something like PPG hi temp 900 (or whomever’s two or three part epoxy equivalent temperature tolerant coating). It will look better and last exponentially longer than anything out of a rattle can.

Realize that one part paints take weeks or months to reach their ultimate (most durable) cure state, while with an epoxy, you’re talking hours, to at most, a few days.

Thanks. I just did a bit of research on PPG. That looks good. But I will research more. I want whatever I do to last A LONG TIME.

 

[Geos7812]

Killer find!

The people that did the original OJ smokers (before it turned into the Oklahoma Joke) regrouped as Horizon http://www.horizonbbqsmokers.com/ Maybe you can get plates and racks from them.

Paint Stripper!? Ack!
Media blasting isn't terribly expensive and doesn't leave any nasty residue.

Are you going to leave it squat height on the trailer or re-mount it more comfortable?
Anything in direct contact needs hi temp paint. Anything withing about 18" of the firebox should be hi-temp.

Perfect. That answers my question. I may as well go hi-temp on everything.

I realized that Horizon = OKJ reincarnated. My smoker looks just like one of their current models. I am going to leave the height where it is for now. Separating the smoker from trailer is easy if I want to make the change.

 

[Fueling Around]

...
I am going to leave the height where it is for now. Separating the smoker from trailer is easy if I want to make the change.

My biggest concern is if you leave it on the channel iron on the trailer and transport. Best to have 4 eye bolts on corners of the smoke chamber so it can be strapped in place.

Photos of green grass is really jerking my chain. I've got 3-5' of snow in my front yard and 3-4' across my backyard.

 

[Geos7812]

Got it. Thanks for the advice. Green grass is from September. I have 12 inches of snow now.

 

[Fueling Around]

OK that makes me a little less jerked.

Today was a mixed treat.
First time in 63 days since temperature has been above freezing, which made an amazing mess.
Spent the day (and my body) with boss and 2 others pulling 2-3 feet of snow off the shop roof. One of the trusses announced load limit exceeded yesterday.

If you want long lasting results then media blasting, proper prep, and quality paint is your path.

 

[Geos7812]

Fueling Around good stuff man. Thanks for the advice. I am going to look into some high quality Hi temp for the whole deal.

 

[Geos7812]

Working on the last bits of rust and paint. That will happen this weekend and primer next. Getting itchy to burn it in and start cookin.

 

[Geos7812]

Primed! Got the top done and will move to the bottom next. Very slow because of busy schedule but I am getting there.

 

[Geos7812]

Well, she’s almost done. Burning in the paint on the OK Joes tonight. Holy smokes what a project but so cool to have a restored (albeit not professionally so) smoker.

 

[Fueling Around]

Very nice

 

[Geos7812]

First cook, today and tomorrow. I have a loaded basket of charcoal burning right now using the snake method. Been holding at 250 for two hours and ain’t touched the fire. 5 pounds of jerky right now and then when done I will bring down the temp for a salmon filet before cooking some pork butts overnight. Oh hell Yeah!