Red's Newest Build: A Direct-Heat Smoker/Grill

[crazymoon]

SR, Thanks for the build update, awesome job !

 

[JckDanls 07]

Yup... I don't have to say it as you already know... BUT I WILL... That's an awesome build Joel... Really liking it... With all the different cooking options...

Myself.. I would do a fold down table with folding braces that tuck in behind the table when folded down... The ledges that the braces would sit on when open would be behind the table as well when folded down... Reason for the fold down table is for a smaller storage place for the smoker/grill that will be needed when not in use...

 

[seenred]

SR, Thanks for the build update, awesome job !

Thank you Brother!

Red

 

[seenred]

Yup... I don't have to say it as you already know... BUT I WILL... That's an awesome build Joel... Really liking it... With all the different cooking options...

Thank you Keith! I like the idea of the versatility.

Myself.. I would do a fold down table with folding braces that tuck in behind the table when folded down... The ledges that the braces would sit on when open would be behind the table as well when folded down... Reason for the fold down table is for a smaller storage place for the smoker/grill that will be needed when not in use...

That's just what I have in mind if I go with a fold-down table. Haven't decided yet...but that's probably how I'll go if I have the material on hand that I'd need to do it right and make it look good.

Red

 

[millerbuilds]

Update:

Man, this build is gettin' close!

I got the cabinet and the base all welded together a few days ago, then turned my attention to doors and hinges.

First up, I welded bullet hinges on for the FB access door.

View attachment 715892


While I was working on the FB door, I went ahead and fabricated a handle and latch with a cool-touch spring handle on it.

View attachment 715893


Since the plate I started with was bowed some from the steel yard, there's the tiniest bit of bow in the cabinet panels. I worked pretty hard to take as much of that out as I could when I was welding the box together...but still just a little. But even with the slight bow in the front panel, the door and hinges fit pretty good. I compensated for a little more of the bow by building the latch with a little spring tension in it...so all-in-all, I'm pretty happy with the fit.

View attachment 715894

View attachment 715895

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Next I worked on the hinges for the main access door. This door is heavier than I anticipated, so I didn't think the bullet hinges I purchased would be beefy enough. I happened to have a pair of strap hinges made of 1/4" steel that were a little big for this application...but I cut 'em down a little and they turned out pretty good.

View attachment 715897

Also got the cool-touch handle I built last week welded on the front.

I plan to apply Nomex adhesive gasket around the door's interior...so I cut a few short tabs and stuck them in there before welding the hinges. So now there's enough of a gap to allow for the Nomex gasket to fit properly without binding the hinges.

View attachment 715898

Hinges work good!

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So unless I'm forgetting something (and I usually do LOL!) here's what I have left to do before it's ready for a test burn and for paint:

1. I need to weld some kind of a stop on the back of those big strap hinges to hold up the door in the open position. I'm just thinking of a couple short pieces of 3/16" angle iron welded to the bottom straps.

2. I need to cut a hole for the exhaust stack in the top of the door, then fabricate a damper and weld the stack in the top. I'm using a short length of 4"x4" square tubing for the stack.

3. I want to fabricate a work table on the left side of the cabinet. Haven't decided yet whether to weld it solid, or come up with a hinged setup that will make the table foldable. Technically, this step wouldn't prevent me from going ahead with the test burn...but I figure I might as well get it done while I'm still fabricating.


Depends on how the next few days in the shop go...but I can see it being ready to cook on by next weekend!

Thanks again, Y'all, for checking it out!

Red

Red,
That is coming along great, looks like it is going to be a sweet set up!

- Jason

 

[seenred]

Red,
That is coming along great, looks like it is going to be a sweet set up!

- Jason

Appreciate it Jason! I'm looking forward to seeing how it cooks!

Red

 

[civilsmoker]

This is a COOL cooker!!!!! Maybe it should be painted red......

 

[seenred]

This is a COOL cooker!!!!! Maybe it should be painted red......

View attachment 715955

Hah! Dang...I already bought black paint! Since it's fashioned after a Chud Box, I thought about calling the Red Box...but that's just too cheesy!

Thanks Brother!

Red

 

[civilsmoker]

The "black box" would work.....LOL

 

[DRKsmoking]

Depends on how the next few days in the shop go...but I can see it being ready to cook on by next weekend!

So let me see, this gives me a week in a half to get my party knife and fork ready and a plane ticket to your town.

I might just pull this off, lol.

I am going to go on a bit of a fast , so I am real hungry by than.

As you know , this is coming along very nicely.

But I really have to say , I just love the design.

David

 

[seenred]

So let me see, this gives me a week in a half to get my party knife and fork ready and a plane ticket to your town.

I might just pull this off, lol.

I am going to go on a bit of a fast , so I am real hungry by than.

View attachment 715957

As you know , this is coming along very nicely.

But I really have to say , I just love the design.

David

Lol! David, you pack your bag and come on down! You’re welcome at my table! And you can cook on this pit for me. Maybe you’ll love it so much you have to take it home with you!

Thanks Brother!

Red

 

[DRKsmoking]

Lol! David, you pack your bag and come on down! You’re welcome at my table! And you can cook on this pit for me. Maybe you’ll love it so much you have to take it home with you!

Thanks Brother!

Red

Thanks Joel for the invite. Would love to . But for taking it home. I would have to bring my little Radio Flyer.

Because , I can drag cheaper than the shipping.

David

 

[seenred]

Thanks Joel for the invite. Would love to . But for taking it home. I would have to bring my little Radio Flyer.

View attachment 716001 Because , I can drag cheaper than the shipping.

David

 

[civilsmoker]

Red, just a question as I have been admiring your near finished pic, I just wondered if a pie vent (or other adjustable vent) in the lid would give you the option to also use it as a slow cooker as well? Just a thought..... as when I use my copper pot for direct cooking, I often like to close the door at times to have a roasting affect.....

 

[seenred]

Red, just a question as I have been admiring your near finished pic, I just wondered if a pie vent (or other adjustable vent) in the lid would give you the option to also use it as a slow cooker as well? Just a thought..... as when I use my copper pot for direct cooking, I often like to close the door at times to have a roasting affect.....
View attachment 716008

If I understand what you're saying, you're talking about an adjustable damper in the exhaust stack? I definitely plan to do that...pretty much just like in the pic you used.

I do want to also be able to use this as an indirect, low-and-slow cooker. Not only will I be able to control air flow with the dampers, but I also plan to fabricate a heat shield to sit over the coal basket. If you've ever seen a Hasty-Bake Legacy, it's similar to the heat shield they provide for their grills. In fact, that's where I got the idea.

Red

 

[civilsmoker]

If I understand what you're saying, you're talking about an adjustable damper in the exhaust stack? I definitely plan to do that...pretty much just like in the pic you used.

I do want to also be able to use this as an indirect, low-and-slow cooker. Not only will I be able to control air flow with the dampers, but I also plan to fabricate a heat shield to sit over the coal basket. If you've ever seen a Hasty-Bake Legacy, it's similar to the heat shield they provide for their grills. In fact, that's where I got the idea.

Red

Yes, that's exactly what I'm talking about!

Your spacing from the fire box is about the same as my Copper Pot and having a deflector will be awesome but you will also be able to open flame like this! you are on the MONEY Trail!

 

[JLeonard]

Lol! David, you pack your bag and come on down! You’re welcome at my table! And you can cook on this pit for me. Maybe you’ll love it so much you have to take it home with you!

Thanks Brother!

Red

DRKsmoking Fly into Fayetteville, AR. I'll pick ya up and we can be at Joels in an hour!

jim

 

[seenred]

DRKsmoking Fly into Fayetteville, AR. I'll pick ya up and we can be at Joels in an hour!

jim

Heck yeah!! It's starting to sound like a party!

I'd ask you to bring your smoker too, Jim...but I know from experience how tough it is to move that monster...

Red

 

[seenred]

Big Update!

This pit is ready to cook on! I'm not 100% finished...just 2 or 3 little piddly jobs left to finish, but nothing that will prevent me from building a fire in it!



Finished the exhaust stack and damper assembly, and got it all welded in the top.

I welded stops on the back side of the hinges - to hold the door when it's open

Then I fabricated a side table. After some thought, I decided I wanted to go with a rigid table instead of a fold-down...because it's also gonna double as the push/pull handle for rolling this pit around. I made it 12" wide and 21" deep - should be big enough to lay a full size tray or pan on it.

I mounted the casters and re-installed the intake damper wheels.

The casters are 3" heavy duty (2000 lb. capacity). All 4 swivel, with double locking brakes.

Well...how does she look?

Like I said, a few minor jobs left to complete:

I ran out of welding gas again before I got the side table completely welded out - but it's solid enough to us it.

Gotta run to the hardware store and get a bolt and lock-nut that fits in the exhaust damper assembly. I have a temporary bolt that's too long, but it'll hold it until I get the right one.

Also still want to fabricate a heat shield to go above the coal basket, for when I want to use this pit for indirect, low-and-slow smoking. I'm planning to just use my sheet metal brake to bend some 16 ga. metal for that.

And I still plan to weld some little feet under the ashpan to make a little air gap under for rust prevention. Thanks to civilsmoker for that good idea.

Other than that, it's time for a test burn and cook! If that goes well, I should be ready to prep and paint this thing!

We've got some severe storms in the forecast for the weekend, so don't know when I'll be able to light a fire in it...but that's coming soon!

Red

 

[JckDanls 07]

Well...how does she look?

Speechless