dave schiller
Meat Mopper
As I said in the introductions, I picked up a NB smoker for $50. It's in great condition and can be used as is. There is some light surface rust on the outside if a few places, but nothing that some elbow grease won't take care of. The porcelain coating on the grates is perfect, except for the usual grease deposits. But since I'm the piddly type, I decided to bring it back to as near to like new as possible. I fired it up with some scrap wood to see where the leaks were and smoke came out in the obvious places, but not too much. So after a trip to the hardware store, I now have HT black paint, new wood to replace the handles, high temp caulk, fiberglass tape for the doors, and a section of flue pipe to extend the stack down to grill level. Maybe I'll fabricate a baffle to keep the heat down lower.
I removed the firebox from the CC and found that only three of the six bolts were securing it. Three bolts were installed with the nut on, but not on the inside of the firebox. The nuts were holding the metal apart by the thickness of a 1/4" nut, if that makes any sense. No wonder it leaked. I don't know if a previous owner had taken it apart and didn't reassemble it correctly or there was a QA/QC problem with the manufacturer. Anyhow, I'll tape and caulk it tight. Then sand, brush, and paint and it should be good to go. Looking forward using it for the first time.
I removed the firebox from the CC and found that only three of the six bolts were securing it. Three bolts were installed with the nut on, but not on the inside of the firebox. The nuts were holding the metal apart by the thickness of a 1/4" nut, if that makes any sense. No wonder it leaked. I don't know if a previous owner had taken it apart and didn't reassemble it correctly or there was a QA/QC problem with the manufacturer. Anyhow, I'll tape and caulk it tight. Then sand, brush, and paint and it should be good to go. Looking forward using it for the first time.
