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11-14-2007, 07:02 AM
I see this kind of stuff done on the automotive forums, and thought it would be a good idea here...
Post up your gear, How did you come to own it? Would you buy it again if stolen? and what modifications, if any you have done to make it perform better. Do you like it? What could be better?
My list...
New Braunfels Bandera Smoker. Received as a Christmas present in 2006 from my fiancee. (She loves my BBQ). If I had to buy it myself, yeah, I would buy it again. It has been very useful. My modifications so far are...
#1. Temperature monitoring system. A.K.A. 3 hanging thermometers that hang on the racks, and 1 in door thermometer. Not perfect, but gives me a pretty good idea. The hanging thermometers are a pain to clean.
#2. High Temp silicone door gasket mod. This has helped ENORMOUSLY with keeping temps steady in the smoke box. Prior to this mod, temps would swing pretty wildly with each breeze coming across the door. I could not be happier with this.
#3. Axle nut for the smoke control flap on the top is missing. It was not well attached from the factory. I am trying to figure out the size, so I can replace it with a stainless steel one.
#4. Paint kept up with Krylon BBQ Black.
New Braunfels Silver Smoker. Purchased in February 2002 and subsequently burned to a crisp and let to rust. I learned on this one. I like how simple this one is to use, but have some design issues with it. I would buy it again and mod it. The mods I want are NOT done to this one yet. But they ARE in progress.
#1. Thoroughly clean and dissassemble the smoker. Interior has been shot with Oven and BBQ cleaner and rinsed at least twice. Needs at least 2 more passes. Might take it to a friends shop and media blast it done.
#2. Use my Dremel to cut off any rusted beyond moving fasteners.
#3. Straighten the smoke chamber door. Heat has warped it.
#4. Weld in new bottom of fire box. The original is getting burned out. I have a piece of non galvenized 1/8" plate that has already been bent to shape, just need to get a buddy of mine to do the welding after I prep the surface of the inside of the fire pit.
#5. Fully sand / media blast the entire inside and outside of the pit to prep for paint.
#6. Repaint all painted components with Krylon BBQ Black, at least 3 coats. Let thoroughly dry and cure.
#7. Replace all fasteners with stainless steel versions.
#8. Install already made and waiting in my garage, replacement wood parts (Marine Epoxied Cedar).
#9. Build and install improved fire grate and ash pan.
#10. Install new Char Broil or Outdoor Gourmet in door thermometer and use 2 hanging thermometers in the smoke chamber.
#11. Silicone Seal Door Gasket mod.
No idea what make or model, but my fiancee bought this little foldable grill from her Avon lady for me. It fits in a nice little zippered ballistics nylon bag, is easy to tote around, and is fine for grilling burgers and brats on the beach. Would I buy it again? (or in the first place?) no... It's cute, it's funky, it's flimsy...
Weber Smokey Joe Silver. I originally bought one in the early 90s, that I dropped my canoe on about a year and a half ago. I have one I purchased in the garage that has not been assembled yet. I love the Smokey Joe for taking to the beach, or just tossing a couple of steaks over some coals. It is a GREAT little grill. I have entertained for YEARS with one of these. Not low & slow, but for grilling, it is REALLY hard to beat this little champ.
Rolling kitchen / cart. Halfway constructed, doing redesign of it. Basically a wooden, rolling cart, with a removable marine epoxied plywood top, a marine epoxied surface below with a drop in plastic sink, Zodi hot water system, Primus Single Burner propane stove, 20lb propane cylinder, and various shelves and hooks for utensils, pots, and pans for BBQing and prepping the side dishes.
Pampered Chef BBQ Tool set. Large serrated turner, Small serrated turner, BBQ fork, stainless steel tongs, etc...
Outdoor Gourmet heavy duty stainless steel tongs. The 24" long ones. I use these exclusively for tending fire. They work great.
Custom welded Dutch Oven platform. This pretty much completes the outdoor cooking platform. I have a welded plate steel table that I use for building a small chunk wood / coal fire, or mesquite charcoal fire for cooking with my 12" and 16" Outdoor Gourmet Cast Iron Dutch Ovens.
16x6 flat bed trailer with tie downs. This isn't actually mine, but rather a buddies. We have been known to get volunteered to do BBQ fund raisers, so we throw my Bandera, along with 2 other friend's Banderas, coolers, and smoking wood on this thing, and drag it out to the park for the fund raiser.
I know this is a lot of gear. With the exception of the Silver Smoker, all of it was either given to me as a gift or built by my friends and myself.
I have BBQ'ed for various events with my gear, including fund raisers for a friend's step son with a brain tumor, church fund raisers, family get togethers, and even been volunteered to smoke up 10 briskets for a hamfest in 2002. (Amateur Radio Operators).
Post up your gear, How did you come to own it? Would you buy it again if stolen? and what modifications, if any you have done to make it perform better. Do you like it? What could be better?
My list...
New Braunfels Bandera Smoker. Received as a Christmas present in 2006 from my fiancee. (She loves my BBQ). If I had to buy it myself, yeah, I would buy it again. It has been very useful. My modifications so far are...
#1. Temperature monitoring system. A.K.A. 3 hanging thermometers that hang on the racks, and 1 in door thermometer. Not perfect, but gives me a pretty good idea. The hanging thermometers are a pain to clean.
#2. High Temp silicone door gasket mod. This has helped ENORMOUSLY with keeping temps steady in the smoke box. Prior to this mod, temps would swing pretty wildly with each breeze coming across the door. I could not be happier with this.
#3. Axle nut for the smoke control flap on the top is missing. It was not well attached from the factory. I am trying to figure out the size, so I can replace it with a stainless steel one.
#4. Paint kept up with Krylon BBQ Black.
New Braunfels Silver Smoker. Purchased in February 2002 and subsequently burned to a crisp and let to rust. I learned on this one. I like how simple this one is to use, but have some design issues with it. I would buy it again and mod it. The mods I want are NOT done to this one yet. But they ARE in progress.
#1. Thoroughly clean and dissassemble the smoker. Interior has been shot with Oven and BBQ cleaner and rinsed at least twice. Needs at least 2 more passes. Might take it to a friends shop and media blast it done.
#2. Use my Dremel to cut off any rusted beyond moving fasteners.
#3. Straighten the smoke chamber door. Heat has warped it.
#4. Weld in new bottom of fire box. The original is getting burned out. I have a piece of non galvenized 1/8" plate that has already been bent to shape, just need to get a buddy of mine to do the welding after I prep the surface of the inside of the fire pit.
#5. Fully sand / media blast the entire inside and outside of the pit to prep for paint.
#6. Repaint all painted components with Krylon BBQ Black, at least 3 coats. Let thoroughly dry and cure.
#7. Replace all fasteners with stainless steel versions.
#8. Install already made and waiting in my garage, replacement wood parts (Marine Epoxied Cedar).
#9. Build and install improved fire grate and ash pan.
#10. Install new Char Broil or Outdoor Gourmet in door thermometer and use 2 hanging thermometers in the smoke chamber.
#11. Silicone Seal Door Gasket mod.
No idea what make or model, but my fiancee bought this little foldable grill from her Avon lady for me. It fits in a nice little zippered ballistics nylon bag, is easy to tote around, and is fine for grilling burgers and brats on the beach. Would I buy it again? (or in the first place?) no... It's cute, it's funky, it's flimsy...
Weber Smokey Joe Silver. I originally bought one in the early 90s, that I dropped my canoe on about a year and a half ago. I have one I purchased in the garage that has not been assembled yet. I love the Smokey Joe for taking to the beach, or just tossing a couple of steaks over some coals. It is a GREAT little grill. I have entertained for YEARS with one of these. Not low & slow, but for grilling, it is REALLY hard to beat this little champ.
Rolling kitchen / cart. Halfway constructed, doing redesign of it. Basically a wooden, rolling cart, with a removable marine epoxied plywood top, a marine epoxied surface below with a drop in plastic sink, Zodi hot water system, Primus Single Burner propane stove, 20lb propane cylinder, and various shelves and hooks for utensils, pots, and pans for BBQing and prepping the side dishes.
Pampered Chef BBQ Tool set. Large serrated turner, Small serrated turner, BBQ fork, stainless steel tongs, etc...
Outdoor Gourmet heavy duty stainless steel tongs. The 24" long ones. I use these exclusively for tending fire. They work great.
Custom welded Dutch Oven platform. This pretty much completes the outdoor cooking platform. I have a welded plate steel table that I use for building a small chunk wood / coal fire, or mesquite charcoal fire for cooking with my 12" and 16" Outdoor Gourmet Cast Iron Dutch Ovens.
16x6 flat bed trailer with tie downs. This isn't actually mine, but rather a buddies. We have been known to get volunteered to do BBQ fund raisers, so we throw my Bandera, along with 2 other friend's Banderas, coolers, and smoking wood on this thing, and drag it out to the park for the fund raiser.
I know this is a lot of gear. With the exception of the Silver Smoker, all of it was either given to me as a gift or built by my friends and myself.
I have BBQ'ed for various events with my gear, including fund raisers for a friend's step son with a brain tumor, church fund raisers, family get togethers, and even been volunteered to smoke up 10 briskets for a hamfest in 2002. (Amateur Radio Operators).