Introduction and New Custom Build

Custom manufactured BBQ Pits, Do-it-Yourself projects, parts and ideas.

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brnhornt
Pilgrim
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Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby brnhornt » Thu Aug 10, 2017 11:59 am

Hello all. My name is Kevin...living in Northeast Ohio. I've been smoking with a WSM for 10-something years and have finally gathered the courage and the cash to build my own smoker. Been posting my progress over on another board and was invited to join up over here. Looking forward to sharing the rest of my progress/build and then talkin' Q with y'all.

Started with an old 120 gallon compressor tank that I picked up for 85 bucks.
20170627_200140_resized.jpg


Got the door, FB opening and plenum cut and then door seals welded on:
20170708_154831_resized.jpg


Top and bottom cooking grate rails fab'd and in place:
20170715_183718_resized.jpg


Cart/Frame built:
20170718_165514_resized.jpg


Tank attached:
20170722_160942_resized.jpg


Door attached and cooking grates done:
20170726_192207_resized.jpg


Firebox welded up and attached:
20170805_161113_HDR_resized.jpg


Next up I need to fabricate my plenum and then attach my stack. Once that's done I'll actually be able to light a fire in the girl to make sure she flows well. Assuming there are no problems with that, I'll pass it off to a blaster to have it blasted in and out and then paint flat black. Then it's off to season and practice...followed by finally being able to cook more than one brisket...or maybe racks of ribs that are nice and flat rather than coiled up like I've had to in the past :)

Kevin
tx1911 USER_AVATAR
TX1911
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Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby TX1911 » Thu Aug 10, 2017 12:24 pm

Welcome! Pit looks like it'll be a champ!
Custom 24x48 offset trailer pit
Weber Smokefire EX6
Vision B Series kamado
Race Crew Drum
k.a.m. USER_AVATAR
k.a.m.
Chuck Wagon
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Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby k.a.m. » Sun Aug 13, 2017 4:12 pm

Welcome aboard Kevin. I am glad you signed up. :D There are a lot of great guys and gals on here. :D
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
brnhornt
Pilgrim
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:07 am
Location: Cleveland OH
Contact:

Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby brnhornt » Thu Aug 17, 2017 9:03 am

Thanks guys!

Got the plenum fabricated and my stack attached:
20170812_124046_HDR_resized.jpg


Rolled the girl out into the driveway for the first fire:
20170813_180730_resized.jpg


Was really happy to have a fire burning:
20170813_205144_resized.jpg


Overall she flowed and burned well. I was a little concerned about the amount of wood she was chewing thru, but this being my first stick burner I'm 99% sure that's all on me and not on the smoker.
Now I just need to finish fabricating up my tuning plates, a damper handle for the firebox, the lid handles, and a shelf then she's off for blasting! I hope to be starting my first cook in two weeks...just in time for Labor Day weekend! :)
k.a.m. USER_AVATAR
k.a.m.
Chuck Wagon
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Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby k.a.m. » Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:08 pm

Plenum looks great Kevin very nice work. :D Your coal base looks a bit large call me when you get back back to normal life brother. :D
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.



My Hybrid cooker.
Competition trailer #2.
russ USER_AVATAR
Russ
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Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby Russ » Thu Aug 17, 2017 7:32 pm

Welcome, great build, I'm ex engineering so I know the work you put in.

Russ
4 burner q
Honky hangi
Home smoker.

It costs nothing to be nice. A smile goes a long way.
brnhornt
Pilgrim
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:07 am
Location: Cleveland OH
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Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby brnhornt » Fri Aug 18, 2017 8:50 am

Thanks Russ....I've never done anything like it (welding/metal fabrication) so it's been a real fun learning process and project.
russ USER_AVATAR
Russ
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Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby Russ » Fri Aug 18, 2017 5:16 pm

brnhornt wrote:Thanks Russ....I've never done anything like it (welding/metal fabrication) so it's been a real fun learning process and project.


Looks darn good for a first time, it looks real professional. I miss welding, but not the fumes,lol.

Russ
4 burner q
Honky hangi
Home smoker.

It costs nothing to be nice. A smile goes a long way.
brnhornt
Pilgrim
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:07 am
Location: Cleveland OH
Contact:

Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby brnhornt » Sat Aug 19, 2017 8:10 am

Thanks again Russ :)
brnhornt
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Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:07 am
Location: Cleveland OH
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Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby brnhornt » Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:39 am

Getting close to calling this done....

Handles added, therms installed, and a shelf added:
20170829_085325_resized.jpg


Inside scoured with a grinder and a wire cup, tuning plates done, and a couple of seasoning fires done:
20170829_184501_resized.jpg


Here's how she was last night before firing up for a last seasoning using chicken legs and thighs. She was sizzlin' like I was cookin bacon!
20170829_184443_resized.jpg


Few tweaks to make tonight...and then hopefully I'll be ready and good to be cooking up a full bottom rack of ribs this weekend!
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Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby OldUsedParts » Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:47 am

Ya done yerself Proud, Kevin, I'm sure that Rig will give you lots of great service and Q - - Congrats :tup: :salut: :cheers:
I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death. William Barret Travis - Lt. Col. comdt "The Alamo"
brnhornt
Pilgrim
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:07 am
Location: Cleveland OH
Contact:

Re: Introduction and New Custom Build

Postby brnhornt » Wed Aug 30, 2017 11:56 am

Thanks! I'm looking forward to it...but I'm still learning her. It's a big enough change going from a WSM to a stick burner...let alone one this size! :)

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