Trying to save a Backwoods Chubby

[jesse t]

Hello,
I came across a Backwoods Chubby, original version I believe, that has been neglected and I am hoping to bring it back to life. There is quite a bit of rust but it seems pretty much just surface. My plan is to wire brush and sand away the rust. For the exterior, I'm planning to get some high temperature paint and just repaint the whole thing after I clean it up. For the inside, I'm planning to season it up after I get it cleaned up. Any other ideas or tips? This is my first attempt at a project like this.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

From the pics, she doesn't look that bad off.
After you clean up the outside, she may not need any new paint at all.
You're on target with the inside.
After a coating of oil and seasoning, you'll have a keeper for sure.
Looks like a fun project.

 

[jcam222]

I barely see any rust? That small amount on the inner door is super normal. Fine sand a bit maybe and hit with oil.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Curious as to how much you paid.
Brand spanking new G2 Chubbies ain't exactly cheap in my book.

 

[BandCollector]

Great Find!

A little bit of elbow grease and you will be in business!

Enjoy,

John

 

[jesse t]

I barely see any rust? That small amount on the inner door is super normal. Fine sand a bit maybe and hit with oil.

Once I really started looking it over, there's not much exterior rust. A couple circles smaller than dime-sized on the top and then along where the gasket meets the body by the hinges. Sounds like this doesn't warrant any painting, thanks for your input.

The inside parts that I'm most concerned about are the supports for the grates, which are pretty uniformly rusted and pretty thin. I wire brushed a bunch of loose stuff off of those but they're still rust-colored. If anyone has any thoughts besides just keeping it seasoned to keep it from getting worse, I'm all ears.

Curious as to how much you paid.
Brand spanking new G2 Chubbies ain't exactly cheap in my book.

$100 including the hydraulic wheeled lift it's mounted to. Backstory if anyone's interested: I've been electric and then propane smoking for quite some time and recently decided to get into charcoal. I had considered a chubby and the weekender, but ultimately decided I wasn't ready to spend that much and got a WSM 22 4 days ago (and I really like it). The guy selling the chubby linked to the imported version which I probably would have picked for $100. When I realized it was not the import I texted him and picked it up 10 minuted later. All this happened before my wife was out of bed :) I'll probably keep the chubby and the WSM and sell my 6 year old Camp Chef 24 for cheap. I also got a bbq guru controller and was happy to see that there is an adaptor for the chub.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

$100 including the hydraulic wheeled lift it's mounted to.

SWEET DEAL!

About those rack supports, you should contact Backwoods. They probably can point you in the right direction. Otherwise, you're looking at some sort of retro fit or as you suggested trying to keep the rust at bay. My only concern there is would they hold up under a load?

 

[bigfurmn]

Sounds like a great deal and it looks to me (total novice) that its in very good shape. Great buy!

 

[jcam222]

Damn what a deal!!

 

[jesse t]

SWEET DEAL!

About those rack supports, you should contact Backwoods. They probably can point you in the right direction. Otherwise, you're looking at some sort of retro fit or as you suggested trying to keep the rust at bay. My only concern there is would they hold up under a load?

They seem pretty solid at the moment and I think they'll hold up in their current condition if I can keep them from getting worse. It seems like they would be the first thing to fail if the rust continues. I'll keep them oiled, keep an eye on them, and contact backwoods if necessary. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

They seem pretty solid at the moment and I think they'll hold up in their current condition if I can keep them from getting worse. It seems like they would be the first thing to fail if the rust continues. I'll keep them oiled, keep an eye on them, and contact backwoods if necessary. Thanks for the feedback.

sounds like a good plan.
After you have her all fixed up, enjoy that baby!