Need some dimensions...

[JacksonsDad]

OK, you guys have me convinced...I am buying a Bandera...but in the meantime, I have to layout my new grilling area. I am building up an area in my backyard, surrounded by Pavestone edgers and filled with white gravel...(gotta appease the wifey)...eventually, this will be covered with a canopy and a tile backsplash built (with Longhorns in it, of course) to protect my neighbors backfence that my smoker wil be in front of. Us city folk ain't got much room, you know! But, for this weekend, I need to layout the area and I need to know what the footprint dimensions are of the Bandera...the space I have drawn out is 48" deep by 84" wide, I assume this will be enough. I worry that the 48" deep will not be enough to allow for a tile panel to be mounted behind it...all of this will be next to a new tree we are planting in memory of our son...

[auscos]

DO you have water/elec. running to where the grill will be? Its very handy.

[The_Kapn]

Welcome New Guy.

First off-resize your image. I scrolls off even my 19" monitor :) .
Ya know how to do that.

Bandera is 21" deep, by 41" wide, and 67" high to the tip of the smokestack.

It'll fit fine in your area. You will need something under it if you sit it on the white rocks. It drips some grease from all kinds of places. DeAnna will not be happy. :evil: Newspaper will work if needed.

You will need a cover since it is outside. Don't buy one. I have a new one I don't like nor need and I'll send it along.

Also, memorize Bandera 101.
Only mod that MUST be done, even before seasoning, is to raise the firegrate. Sucker will not burn clean nor hot for long sitting in the coals. As an interim (quick fix) use one of the 4 supplied food grates in the bottom rung of the shelf holders in the firebox. New ones are only about 11 bucks each (in pairs) from CharBroil and you will want more anyway.

Be sure you get that puppy seasoned properly or it will look like the one at Steve's in a heartbeat. Once again, neather Deanna nor I will be pleased. :D

Shrink the picture size.

Fire off your next questions when ready!

TIM/DAD

[JacksonsDad]

Leave it to a father to criticize! :P

Pics resized.

Only power and water will be a cord an a hose...for now..

Wait till you see the backsplash I have in mind...if I can get it done like I have in my head...anway, I have before and will have after pics when it's done..I am off to see if I can score a Bandera at Academy...or HD...or wherever...hmmm...where to stash it until I can talk the wifey into it...

As for drips...may leave it to a hose to clean off the rocks..I am sure the dogs would help as well...we'll play with that one...

[The_Kapn]

Picture is mucho better than before--Thankee.

Call around Dallas stores, or maybe one of the local Brothers can help you score a local one.

The REAL DEAL in Austin is tempting. I could see no obvious differences between NB and the Charbroil, but other Brothers say there is. I would rather look at the New Braunfels logo on the door--just me. Cost ya about $40 in gas to run to Austin (North Side) from your place. $198 can't be beat! If you are not in a biggo hurry, but want to lock in the REAL DEAL, I can have Thom and Kerry pick one up and you can deal with transporting it at your convienience.

...where to stash it until I can talk the wifey into it

Just lie to DeAnna. Tell her it is for me! :) If your conscience hurts ya, I'll make an honest man out of you and bring it home in September :D

Any of the Dallas/Plano Brothers help Stacey out with a supplier in the area?

TIM/DAD

[auscos]

As for those drips... I saw a product at Home Depot yesterday, a grill mat! It lays beneath the grill to keeps drips from staining below. Its a universal size, with notches where the wheels go, to keep it stable. Best of all, it was only $6.

[auscos]

One other thing.. about placement next to the fence, as shown. Your neighbor MAY view that as a problem if the smoke routinely heads in his direction. You might want to consider a chimney extension or different placement.

It may not be a big deal, but neighbors can be funny... and vengeful./

[JacksonsDad]

Ran by Academy, they had one for $229, didn't look at the markings though...the had a ton of Hondos and Lubbocks (?) also from NB w/ their logo, bit I don't remember which was on the Bandera...

The good thing is that the other side of the neighbors fence is his driveway, so it won't bother him, but we always communicate on things on the shared property line...you have to being zero lot line on one side....

So, now I need to figure out if the ones here are the real ones...any ideas?

May have to enlarge the grill area...already talked to the wife and we may go 50/50 and get a gass grill and a smoker for the side...don't have room for the Bandera if we do that...any suggestions on a smoking box that is more upright?

[The_Kapn]

OK- Ya are gonna need some "toys" to go with the new Beast.
You know how I love my toys.

Let me start the list and the Brothers will chime in :D

Door Thermometer Discussed to death on the forum, but makes a great reference point once you get real temps adjusted to it. Hole is 13/16". NB model is reported to be way off. I bought at Wally World (of all places) for $15 and it calibrates within 3 degrees. Get a big dial.

Probe Thermometers. Also discussed to death here. Some Brothers use analog and some of us love our digital probes. Trend is shifting to wireless remotes, but I am not there yet. Do not jump out and buy digitals. Santa has been called (it's his slow season) and UPS is making the delivery next week!

Better Rib Racks. Standard ones suck. For now, save a lot of irritation and just lay the ribs on the shelf. More on this later (I am working on a MOD).

Big Al's FireBox MOD. He will chime in shortly, so I'll lead the way for him.

Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil. Lots and Lots and Lots!

OK Brother's--help finish up the list :D

Also:
One other thing.. about placement next to the fence, as shown. Your neighbor MAY view that as a problem if the smoke routinely heads in his direction. You might want to consider a chimney extension or different placement.
Absolutely right! Problem is, your yard is so small, there is no way to avoid smoking up the neighbor if the wind is that way. So, do the Dude a rack of Spares and get him on your side! :D If that fails, put apples in your water tray and drive him to his knees with the wonderful smell. He will come begging.

Enough for now

TIM/DAD

[The_Kapn]

So, now I need to figure out if the ones here are the real ones...any ideas?

May have to enlarge the grill area...already talked to the wife and we may go 50/50 and get a gass grill and a smoker for the side...don't have room for the Bandera if we do that...any suggestions on a smoking box that is more upright?

This is turning into a focused thread. I bet most of the guys are Q'ing, which is where I should be.

It is probably the real thing. The Austin Academy showed $229 as regular price, $198 sale price. Bottom line, either NB or CharBroil will work just fine.

I am not aware of any "Offset Smoker" with a smaller footprint. There is the WSM (discussed heavily here) which is reported to be excellent. Some of the guys who have one will chime in--I'm sure. The cooking style seems to be different, and I love to "fuss" with my stuff. Just me.

As to a grill, you can grill (charcoal) in the firebox of the Bandera. It is desinged for just that. Just move a meat rack to the top of the firebox and cook on. The loss would be the "quick fireup" of the gas grill, but the results are wonderful. Might want to give up the gas grill thingie and just use the Bandera for now.
TIM/DAD

[auscos]

Let the wife know that a gas grill comparable to the Bandera will run $400+.

That should help solve any arguments.

[auscos]

To add to your "list" of things to get:

A pair of leather palm work gloves. THese come in VERY handy when shuffling the payload. THey are less that $2 a pair at Home Depot, so they are basically disposable.

Side tables. THe small shelf on the bandera is a joke as far as size and if you put your tools (fork, tongs) on it, they get too hot to handle. Something like a microwave cart, where you have a work surface and storage would be nice, but it would need better weather resistance.

One of those charcoal starter cans

A good garbage can. I found a nice stainless steel one at Sam's that has the foot pedal for opening (nice), it seals well enough to keep out critters, and the stainless looks good and cleans up well.

A stack of your own hand towels so the SO doesn;t always complain about ruining hers. Get a stack of 'em and launder them in hot water with bleach. I recommend at least half a dozen.

Tongs and quality meat fork. Tongs are cheap, even for good ones. I prefer the restaurant style over the type sold for queers. Many forks will bend on you when you are helfting around a briskets, so get a good one. But use tongs whenever possible, as the fork pokes holes that let juices run out.

Comfy chair, beer cooler, and shade within 10 feet of the smoker. This is VERY important.

[The_Kapn]

Well, the list grows!

I agree 100% with all that auscos said.
But,
Tongs and quality meat fork. Tongs are cheap, even for good ones. I prefer the restaurant style over the type sold for queers. Many forks will bend on you when you are helfting around a briskets, so get a good one. But use tongs whenever possible, as the fork pokes holes that let juices run out.

Comfy chair, beer cooler, and shade within 10 feet of the smoker. This is VERY important.
Get good tongs.
Santa is dealing with forks! :D He found a deal!
Also, make that a "wine cooler" for you and DeAnna. Make sure it converts to a beer cooler when I am in town. You may have to shop hard for that! :D

TIM/DAD

[kcquer]

JacksonsDad, Pleased to have you with us. Brother, you are welcome here anytime.
Only thing I don't think anyone has covered yet that I use after every cook is a good scrub brush. I use it to clean up my cooking grates and waterpan. The sooty stuff on the bottom of the water pan will make a real mess of the OL's favorite pot scrubber (caught hell for that one), better to have one of your own. I have a utility sink in the basement I use for clean up, if you don't have something similar, a good dishpan and that hose you mentioned should do just fine. Oxy Clean and dish soap seem to cut the soot pretty good.
Best of Luck on your search, and again, You are welcome here anytime.

[BigAl]

Three things,

1. Get 4 4"x4" or better 6"x6" (more manly) post and build a slanted roof using galvnized coregated roofing material and some rafters. Do this first or you never will do it once you start Qing. It never rains except on the days you want to Q.

2. Don't use white rock. Use a dark rock. Find some other way to appease the wifey. She won't be happy with white rock after one or two Q's and you will spend a lot of quality drinking time farking with the rock attempting to keep it clean. Put pavers under the Bandera wheels, or it will tilt after the first rain or the first time you spend half a day with the hose trying to wash that white rock.

3. Skip the Gas grill. If you dont have time to Q with wood or charcoal, why bother?, just cook inside. Unless you need an excuse to be outside drinking your favorite drink.

And, WELCOME to the group!

[Solidkick]

This is turning into a focused thread. I bet most of the guys are Q'ing, which is where I should be.


It's a holiday weekend, so we're either drunk, cooking, or both. And Brian probably has his teeth out, so his bite is more like a naw. Give us until Tuesday or Weds. to take the thread off topic........... :twisted:

Seriously, good info has been shared.........and Welcome JacksonsDad...

[parrothead]

I prefer the restaurant style over the type sold for queers.

And what exactly is the type sold for queers? Never mind I don't think I want to know.

[kcquer]

Whew!!! When I saw Greg had responded to the "Need some dimensions" thread, I thought ..... well I just hoped Greg was gonna take it easy on the new guy!!!

[The_Kapn]

Stacey,
Need to add to your list of "must haves"--SPAM!
(Inside joke. You will get it with time)
Good night all!

TIM/DAD

[Davewey]

I did this last weekend if its any help.

[parrothead]

Nice Dave. Ever heard of a jpeg?

Is the shed next to it just for holding cooking stuff? Keep a fire extinguisher in there

[Jorge]

You will need a cover since it is outside. Don't buy one. I have a new one I don't like nor need and I'll send it along.

Take a look at some surplus stores. An old army GP medium tent comes in handy. Cut a section to size and apply some scotchguard for added protection. Use some nylon rope, or 550 cord if you have some, around the bottom to secure it.

[kcquer]

An old army GP medium tent comes in handy

Jorge, where do you get a GP medium cheap enough to carve it up? I tried to buy one a couple years ago to add to my camping arsenal. Best Price I could find was $400. :(

[auscos]

Nice Dave. Ever heard of a jpeg?

Is the shed next to it just for holding cooking stuff? Keep a fire extinguisher in there

Hmmm, I think I'd put in an a/c unit and a porthole in that shed for summer cooks in Dallas.

[Jorge]

An old army GP medium tent comes in handy

Jorge, where do you get a GP medium cheap enough to carve it up? I tried to buy one a couple years ago to add to my camping arsenal. Best Price I could find was $400. :(

Ouch! Make me think the one I bought might not have been DX'd and disposed of by DRMO. :shock: