The Texas BBQ Forum

I have been wanting to build a smaller cooker for Debbie and myself so we can travel further out without bringing Bahama Mama. The cooker will be a 24" x 55" .375 wall cooker.
It will have two doors and no warmer but will have an awning. The firebox is 5/16" plate, the trailer will be made from an old boat trailer I acquired a few months ago.
My son works for blasting company and one of their clients donated my end caps and firebox plates for me, another company donated the pipe. I owe them a brisket or two.
I started this build back in December. Life gets in the way and it has been a little slow going but here is where I am at with it. I will post more updates as I move forward.


I started putting the pieces together.


Placing the pieces corner to corner requires stops to hold the last two pieces.




The pieces were not perfectly flat so I earmarked one for my door and worked on it with the big hammer before welding it up.




I finished welding out the firebox and cut out the door, yes I used a cut off wheel. I am low on Acetylene and have to make some cuts today on another project. That is a magnet of who knows how many lbs. of pull. I have learned to not let it hit anything flat or it requires exhausting man hours to release it.


A pic of my burn through.


Here is a pic of the trailer. I ordered a new 3500 lb. axle for it which should be ready in a couple of weeks. This project will consist of mostly used or old steel I have at my shop. I am not looking for pretty just a cooker that works.
Behind the trailer you can see the cooker against my fence.


Since my door is going to be on the back I decided on horizontal slides. I needed at least 32 Sq. in. of intake so I went with three 2.25" x 6" tall openings, this gives me 40 Sq. in.
Closed.


Open.


The door will be pretty close to Bahama Mama's except for the intakes in the door. I am liking this design.




I finished cutting out the back cross members and added the ones I need.




I mounted the tail light boxes, put the front fender toe step on and mounted the jack.














The canopy is 7' 6" long x 6' wide. The top is 7' 6" off the ground this gives me enough head room for a 4' wide wing.




I got my wings built and day by day got them welded up to the trailer.










I got the bracing for the wings done. The low end is right at 6' this will allow me to put a 10' x 10' pop up over the wing.
My braces are attached like Bahama Mama's with no loose parts except keeper clips.










I got the end caps welded on to the chamber it is a long way around 24" pipe with a stick.










I marked out my doors. It looks like I will have two 25" wide doors with a 3" center bar.


I cut the doors out and got the cooking chamber on its temporary stands. Tomorrow I will mount the firebox and finish the cookers legs.




A clean tip makes for very little slag.


Next was getting the cooker on the trailer. I place a jack under the back cross member and chocked the wheels then used my come along to hoist her up.




















I got the firebox mounted and all the cooking chamber supports in place.
The angle iron is a ledger for the firebox to bump up against.


My trusty come along and a lot of clamps I got her true.

Looking good from the start. I know it gonna be a goodun. 2 or 4 pull out grates? Keep us posted. CF

Thank You ChileFarmer. I will have two lower pull out grates and one upper that I can move left or right. I will most likely build the other upper and just store it.

Yesterday afternoon and today I was able to get a little work done on the cooker.
I installed the drain and started the plenum for my exhaust.










Today I finished up the plenum and mounted the exhaust I also added my rain cap.








Then I started on my doors I was able to finish one and get it tweaked to fit the opening.

You are a talented guy KAM. looking good.

Wow, very nice KAM. I have been wanting to learn how to weld, but I don't think I will ever get to this level of skill.

Nice job!

Jesse

Thank You riseabove50.

Thank You sparctek. Welding is a fun hobby you should give it a whirl. A lot of colleges offer classes that can get you started. This way if you feel you are not interested in it you haven't bought a lot of equipment.

Looking great sir! That's an ideal size cooker. I like my 30"x72" offset but I 95% of the time it's half (or less) full when I cook on it.

Enjoy the pics! Keep us posted.

KAM, that is a great idea. I will have to check schools around me to see what they offer. It will be a good break from all the IT certification training I have to do for work.

Thanks KAM,

Jesse

Good luck Jesse. I look forward to hearing about your adventure.

Nice looking rig you're building. I like the cover too, so much I put one on mine.



Making memories.

Thank You Rodcrafter. That is a nice set up you have.

I had yard work this morning and when I was through I got back on the cooker.
Today I put the cooking grate rails in, the deflector and tuning plate rails I also mounted the firebox door.
I am going with two lower pull out grates and one upper pull out on the right.








I am waiting on a few parts to finish out the door.

I got the firebox basket rails and basket built today I also got the two lower grate frames built.
I put Anti tippers on the basket.








I built the two lower frames and ran out of material. I will get some more material this week.

You're doing what you do best Kevin. That's a nice size looks it it might just cook a good brisket or two. I can store it for ya when you git 'er done

Thank You Dawg.
Let me break her in first.