The plan is to take some pics of the entire set-up after my upgrades are completed. I'm close now, but I still don't know what to do about the powder coat issue. Even my powder coater doesn't know what to say about the grates. I am going to have the smoke chamber powder coated for sure though, and all the handles on my cookware too.
See the problem is: About 11 years ago I obtained this water tank from a truck that had an unfortunate roll over. I just knew I'd have it made into a great smoker in a week or 2, so I gave my ECB to my Dad. Well I did get it to a point where I could use it in a couple of weeks, but nothing really permanent. The hinges were cheesy, the exhaust pipe was only 1 1/2 inch exhaust tubing and my vent was just not good at all. It did a good job, but talk about baby sitting. Air didn't flow properly, so I had to prop a door open on the smoke chamber which gave me temp problems, so I had to build a monster fire in the fire box to keep the open smoke chamber hot enough. It worked. The worse part of it all? I don't think my Dad has used that ECB, ever!
Now I have a 4 inch exhaust stack, nice hinges, good grates, and a very adjustable vent. Now it works the way it should. I read about people here "finally achieving the perfect smoke." Well, I'm here to tell ya, so far I've seen nothing but thin blue smoke. In fact, I have to look at it at a certain angle most of the time to see any at all. Sometimes, I'll think the fire went out.
Anyway, I'll paint it this weekend because I have to take it to church to smoke an army of chickens for an army of Christians, and then I'll snap some pics. I'd really like to get some apple to smoke those chix with, but none of the orchards here prune until after Thanksgiving. Maybe I'll throw some apple juice in the brine.
