The Texas BBQ Forum

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.


Got the door, FB opening and plenum cut and then door seals welded on:


Top and bottom cooking grate rails fab'd and in place:


Cart/Frame built:


Tank attached:


Door attached and cooking grates done:


Firebox welded up and attached:


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

Welcome! Pit looks like it'll be a champ!

Welcome aboard Kevin. I am glad you signed up. There are a lot of great guys and gals on here.

Thanks guys!

Got the plenum fabricated and my stack attached:


Rolled the girl out into the driveway for the first fire:


Was really happy to have a fire burning:


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! :)

Plenum looks great Kevin very nice work. Your coal base looks a bit large call me when you get back back to normal life brother.

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

Russ

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

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

Thanks again Russ :)

Getting close to calling this done....

Handles added, therms installed, and a shelf added:


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


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!


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!

Ya done yerself Proud, Kevin, I'm sure that Rig will give you lots of great service and Q - - Congrats

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! :)