Wine Barrel Smoker

NU2QN · 02-22-2012, 04:42 PM

I had a job interview today and when I got home, my 60 qt. steamer basket was waiting for me. I wasn't planning on starting until Friday but I couldn't help myself. I started where most finish off, the charcoal basket. That is what the steamer basket is for.

Here we go. I didn't like the height of the basket so I cut off the rivets holding the handle and then cut three inches off the top. I drilled an additional set of holes around the bottom and drilled new holes to attach the handle.

The first pic shows all the components ready to be assembled.
IMG-20120222-00131.jpg
The handle reattached to the basket.
IMG-20120222-00132.jpg
I attached a 16" pizza pan as an ash catcher.
IMG-20120222-00133.jpg
It's almost too purty to burn, isn't it?

My helper (youngest son) is coming to visit this weekend. We will begin working on the barrel itself on Friday. I will continue to post pics as I work on the project so stay tuned.

BBQ4FUN · 02-22-2012, 04:52 PM

smokingj · 02-22-2012, 05:53 PM

nice work. I did the same thing with my drum until I was able to get some expanded metal. Those baskets work great. Mine was a lot smaller but had some good cooks with it. Since then I have cut the basket into different sections to have charcoal rings ala WSM style for my smokey joe's and smokey joe tall boy.

bluetang · 02-22-2012, 06:30 PM

Lookin good there Mon! Me lookin forward for more

NU2QN · 02-24-2012, 07:49 PM

Yesterday after I got off work, my plan was to get the holes marked and drilled so this is how it went.

I guessed where the center of each stave was and marked a virticle line on the four middle bands. Then I marked the spot for the hole on each of the verticle lines at half the width of the band, measured not guessed on this step. I started drilling and this is when I discovered again how important the right tool for the right job was. After a quick trip to the hardware store, a 1/8" and 3/16" titanium drill bit the work continued. I started each hole with the smaller bit then i followed behind with the larger bit making sure I only drilled through the metal of the band and not into the wood.

The picture shows the holes marked. I forgot to get a picture after the drilling was done.
IMG-20120223-00135.jpg

Friday morning began with some Xbox with my son before getting started on the barrel. We started sanding around 11. Note to self, next time sand the bands, paint the bands, then sand the wood. I am no Picaso when it comes to painting.

This pic shows my son helping me out with the sanding
IMG-20120224-00136.jpg

This is the barrel and bands sanded ready for paint.
IMG-20120224-00138.jpg

My original plan was to use a bronze colored spray paint for the bands. I ended up buying a quart of Rustoleum Semi-Gloss Black and brushed it on. I am happy with the decision, the brush strokes at some petina to the finish.

Here is the barrel with the bands painted and the screws installed.
IMG-20120224-00140.jpg

Tomorrow we will be hitting the wood with the sander again to remove the paint screw ups. Then we will cut the lid, install the hinges, chains, and cooking grate.

More pictures to follow.

jeffjenkins1 · 02-24-2012, 09:22 PM

That looks awesome!

Jeff

Q-Dat · 02-24-2012, 09:42 PM

This looks great, but I have an ignorant question.

How are you planning to keep this from catching fire?

NU2QN · 02-25-2012, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Q-Dat

This looks great, but I have an ignorant question.

How are you planning to keep this from catching fire?

The fire basket sits about 3 inches off the bottom and there is a steel pizza pan underneath. There is about three inches clearance around the fire basket so there shouldnt be any problem there. I don't plan on cooking in this over 275. Worse case scenario is I might have to put water in the bottom during the cook. I don't expect any problems as other people have done the same thing.

DaveMW · 02-25-2012, 07:29 AM

Looks great so far!

bluetang · 02-25-2012, 07:32 AM

Lookin purdy!

Jaskew82 · 02-25-2012, 08:43 AM

looks great! Can't wait to see the finished product!

Hunterman95 · 02-25-2012, 09:49 AM

Looks great. How much was the steamer basket, and where did you get it?

Q-Dat · 02-25-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NU2QN

The fire basket sits about 3 inches off the bottom and there is a steel pizza pan underneath. There is about three inches clearance around the fire basket so there shouldnt be any problem there. I don't plan on cooking in this over 275. Worse case scenario is I might have to put water in the bottom during the cook. I don't expect any problems as other people have done the same thing.

Sounds very cool! Have you considered maybe putting about an inch of sand or cat litter in the bottom?

NU2QN · 02-25-2012, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunterman95

Looks great. How much was the steamer basket, and where did you get it?

http://www.waresdirect.com/

It's a 60 Qt and was less than 37 dollars shipped and received it within a week.

el_matt · 02-25-2012, 11:53 AM

Lovin' this! I've got a barrel coming my way soon, hopefully.

Matt

02-22-2012, 04:42 PM	#1
NU2QN Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-05-12 Location: Sonora, CA	Wine Barrel Smoker I had a job interview today and when I got home, my 60 qt. steamer basket was waiting for me. I wasn't planning on starting until Friday but I couldn't help myself. I started where most finish off, the charcoal basket. That is what the steamer basket is for. Here we go. I didn't like the height of the basket so I cut off the rivets holding the handle and then cut three inches off the top. I drilled an additional set of holes around the bottom and drilled new holes to attach the handle. The first pic shows all the components ready to be assembled. IMG-20120222-00131.jpg The handle reattached to the basket. IMG-20120222-00132.jpg I attached a 16" pizza pan as an ash catcher. IMG-20120222-00133.jpg It's almost too purty to burn, isn't it? My helper (youngest son) is coming to visit this weekend. We will begin working on the barrel itself on Friday. I will continue to post pics as I work on the project so stay tuned. __________________ Mike 2 x UDS Weber Kettle 22.5 w/rotisserie Wine Barrel Smoker Traeger 075 Mystery Metal Egg

02-22-2012, 04:52 PM	#2
BBQ4FUN Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-03-11 Location: Clinton, IA	__________________ [SIZE="3"]Backwoods Competitor[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]22.5" Weber Smokey Mountain[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]22.5" Weber One Touch[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Weber Performer ([B]Black[/B])[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]UDS[/SIZE] [SIZE="3"]Stoker WiFi Edition[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]DigiQ DX ([COLOR=red][B]Red[/B][/COLOR][COLOR=black])[/COLOR][/SIZE] [SIZE=3][COLOR=darkorange][COLOR=black]Super Fast[/COLOR] [B]Orange[/B] [COLOR=black]Thermapen[/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE]

02-22-2012, 05:53 PM	#3
smokingj Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-29-11 Location: Alexandria VA	nice work. I did the same thing with my drum until I was able to get some expanded metal. Those baskets work great. Mine was a lot smaller but had some good cooks with it. Since then I have cut the basket into different sections to have charcoal rings ala WSM style for my smokey joe's and smokey joe tall boy. __________________ ~Jimmy~ 18.5 redhead, UDS, Smokey Joe, Smokey Joe Smoker

02-22-2012, 06:30 PM	#4
bluetang somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-06-10 Location: Stuart, Fl Name/Nickname : Mike	Lookin good there Mon! Me lookin forward for more __________________ Homey, the Homegrown frier, 22" WSM, 18.5" Elderly(but not retired) WSM,Homegrown Electric, Weber gasserrrr,Weber Performer, Gravity feed smoker, Blackstone, Indisputably Fastest [COLOR=purple]Purple[/COLOR] Thermapen, SAI Satay Grill Avatar by landarc, thanky!

02-24-2012, 07:49 PM	#5
NU2QN Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-05-12 Location: Sonora, CA	Day 2 & 3 Yesterday after I got off work, my plan was to get the holes marked and drilled so this is how it went. I guessed where the center of each stave was and marked a virticle line on the four middle bands. Then I marked the spot for the hole on each of the verticle lines at half the width of the band, measured not guessed on this step. I started drilling and this is when I discovered again how important the right tool for the right job was. After a quick trip to the hardware store, a 1/8" and 3/16" titanium drill bit the work continued. I started each hole with the smaller bit then i followed behind with the larger bit making sure I only drilled through the metal of the band and not into the wood. The picture shows the holes marked. I forgot to get a picture after the drilling was done. IMG-20120223-00135.jpg Friday morning began with some Xbox with my son before getting started on the barrel. We started sanding around 11. Note to self, next time sand the bands, paint the bands, then sand the wood. I am no Picaso when it comes to painting. This pic shows my son helping me out with the sanding IMG-20120224-00136.jpg This is the barrel and bands sanded ready for paint. IMG-20120224-00138.jpg My original plan was to use a bronze colored spray paint for the bands. I ended up buying a quart of Rustoleum Semi-Gloss Black and brushed it on. I am happy with the decision, the brush strokes at some petina to the finish. Here is the barrel with the bands painted and the screws installed. IMG-20120224-00140.jpg Tomorrow we will be hitting the wood with the sander again to remove the paint screw ups. Then we will cut the lid, install the hinges, chains, and cooking grate. More pictures to follow. __________________ Mike 2 x UDS Weber Kettle 22.5 w/rotisserie Wine Barrel Smoker Traeger 075 Mystery Metal Egg

02-24-2012, 09:22 PM	#6
jeffjenkins1 Babbling Farker Join Date: 03-01-08 Location: Akron, OH	That looks awesome! Jeff __________________ You do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do! Ole Hickory Ultra Que 2 18" WSM 18" Weber OTS Primo Oval XL NB American Gourmet offset smoker UDS Big Chief Smoker Turkey Fryer

02-24-2012, 09:42 PM	#7
Q-Dat Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-03-08 Location: Pearl River LA	This looks great, but I have an ignorant question. How are you planning to keep this from catching fire?

02-25-2012, 07:29 AM	#9
DaveMW is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-31-10 Location: Livngston, Montana	Looks great so far! __________________ [FONT=Century Gothic]Weber Kettle 22.5" Restored "J" - Black[/FONT] [FONT=Century Gothic]Weber Kettle 22.5" "AT" - Black[/FONT] Weber Kettle 18.5" "DR" - Black Weber Jumbo Joe "AH" - Black [FONT=Century Gothic]Weber Smoky Joe "F"- Black[/FONT] [FONT=Century Gothic]Weber Genesis - Black[/FONT] [FONT=Century Gothic]Weber Go-Anywhere - Black[/FONT] [FONT=Century Gothic]UDS - which surprisingly is not black[/FONT] [FONT=Century Gothic]Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain Smoker[/FONT]

02-25-2012, 07:32 AM	#10
bluetang somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-06-10 Location: Stuart, Fl Name/Nickname : Mike	Lookin purdy! __________________ Homey, the Homegrown frier, 22" WSM, 18.5" Elderly(but not retired) WSM,Homegrown Electric, Weber gasserrrr,Weber Performer, Gravity feed smoker, Blackstone, Indisputably Fastest [COLOR=purple]Purple[/COLOR] Thermapen, SAI Satay Grill Avatar by landarc, thanky!

02-25-2012, 08:43 AM	#11
Jaskew82 is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-20-11 Location: Mooresville, NC	looks great! Can't wait to see the finished product! __________________ Hillside BBQ 2013 Stumps Classic - Delivered 4/15/13 Large BGE - Rescued 2012 2010 WSM 22.5" 2010 Weber genesis gas grill Rescued 22.5 Weber One-touch gold Yellow Thermopen BBQ Guru CyberQ 2011 Built UDS - Retired

02-25-2012, 09:49 AM	#12
Hunterman95 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 02-08-11 Location: Springfield, MO	Looks great. How much was the steamer basket, and where did you get it? __________________ Kevin -Weber Performer, WSM, GMG DB

02-25-2012, 11:53 AM	#15
el_matt Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-08-09 Location: Turlock, California	Lovin' this! I've got a barrel coming my way soon, hopefully. Matt