Rusted smoker

[elpato1217]

Brethren,

I recently purchased an old NBBD and am in the process of restoring. I have a quarter-size rust hole in the bottom of the grill about two inches from the fire box opening. I would really prefer to NOT crop out and renew this area.

Any thoughts or ideas on a lower hassle repair?

 

[hmbrewr]

Put a patch over it and secure with self tapping screws.Easy peasy

 

[Bludawg]

DO NOT PLUG THAT HOLE IT IS MOIST LIKELY THE GREASE DRAIN> PLUGING THIS WILL RESULT IN A PIT FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! put a can under it.

 

[dwfisk]

DO NOT PLUG THAT HOLE IT IS MOIST LIKELY THE GREASE DRAIN> PLUGING THIS WILL RESULT IN A PIT FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! put a can under it.

I was thinking this too but I'm not real familiar with NB pits. If it is a rust hole, it is likely there because that's where moisture collected. If its the size of a quarter, maybe try adapting a 6 inch X 1-1/4 pipe nipple, ball valve and catch can to collect moisture and/or drippings????

 

[ButtBurner]

I have never seen the drain hole close to the firebox, its usually on the other side of the smoke chamber far away as possible from the fire

should be easy to tell if its a rust hole or not

 

[chad]

Ooooh, a drain mod thread! How very retro! :mrgreen:

 

[plush2426]

If it is a hole and not a drain and you want to make it look good again without a patch, there is a product at most auto part stores called thermosteel you can patch over pretty good size holes, I have used it several times on my old smoker. It is made for repairing holes in car manifolds/exhaust and is extremely heat resistant (up to 2400 degrees). It comes with a metal mesh you can place over the hole and cover with this mixture up to 1/4" thick and it can be shaped with a grinder to make it look like a hole was never there. It has worked excellent for me in the past.

 

[plush2426]

Thermosteel.......

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Magic-18003-ThermoSteel-High-Temp-Repair/dp/B000HABA3O"]Blue Magic 18003 ThermoSteel High-Temp Metal Repair - 3 oz. : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame]

 

[lhommedieu]

I'm glad I saw this thread. The thermosteel idea looks good but what if you've got a larger hole? I've got an old grill with a large 6" x 6" area on the bottom that's rusted out. I could poke a hole through it with my finger at this point but have held off for the sake of "one last cook" etc. This has stretched out for a couple of months and I am worried that soon I'll have coals falling out the bottom.

I like this particular grill and I think that I would like to patch it, but I am not sure what to use as a patch. Home Depot has some 12" x 12" stainless steel that's thin enough to bend; could I cut it to size and then form it to cover the bottom of my grill? The bottom has a slight curve but nothing that I couldn't fit/form with a mallet and a little time.

 

[markdtn]

Is the hole in the chamber or in the firebox wall? I let old ashes sit in mine over a winter and it ate the end of the firebox. I took the firebox off, cut the spot welds on the end, got some scrap at work, and welded it back in. Really not that big a deal if you have any access to a welder and metal. Here is a picture after the repair.

 

[RemoGaggi]

Can you please post a picture?

 

[elpato1217]

Thanks, all! I like the sound of using the Thermosteel. That's the solution I was hoping for. Thanks, plush.

The hole may have started as a drain, but has definitely grown from significant neglect. There are three drain holes at the far end of the grill that are still in good condition. I think thermosteel may be the best option for now.

 

[westy]

Plug it.

Kinda looks like the inside of the Hunley. Good luck and happy cookin?

 

[slammmed]

That hole looks like it's supposed to be there. If it is a rusted out hole why is the right side in your picture so cleanly cut?

I agree that it is a grease drain and would strongly advise only plugging it if absolutely necessary

 

[westy]

On second look, it does look cut. Anyone got one? From what ive seen online, some complain that it didn't come with a drain hole. Why square?

 

[Icekub]

Agree, that is not a rust hole, that's deliberate. Cook on it before plugging for sure. Catch can sounds like better idea

 

[markdtn]

I have not seen one with a grease hole there and that one is awfully big. Here is the inside of the one I had. It was bought in 1999.



That is a lot of rust. If I was going to do anything with yours, I would probably add a plate to the whole bottom of the cook chamber. Mine always drained in the right rear corner, but I would put a drain somewhere.

 

[elpato1217]

I went with the thermosteel and it worked great. There are three small holes on the opposite side of the smoker that are the grease drains. Broke her in with some drumsticks and they came out tasting phenomenal. Grease drained properly and the thermosteel held.