Bandera reconditioning tips

Let me start out with that I found this site this morning and immediately joined as it is a fantastic resource! Kudos to the site owner and members!

I am now the proud 3rd owner of a Bandera that I inherited from a friend that upgraded to the enviable Klose Famous 20x40 Backyard Chef. I would like to recondition the Bandera. Not necesarilly to factory condition but certainly to good working condition. I attached pics to help show the condition. The fire grate is gone and I've been using a grilling grate instead but reading this site showed how I can make a replacement. The firebox is rusted and very pited, the top to the firebox does not close tight in the front left and the firebox twists when I lock the side firebox door. The smokebox is in good condition as the paint is not peeling but is dull on the outside. The interior is well seasoned. I've cooked with it several times now and I love it. Although it takes a fair amount of fuel it is incredibly easier to control , fuel etc. than the frustrating New Braunfels water smoker with no air control that I've been trying to learn smoking on. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions and guidance on reconditioning

Thanks in advance for all suggestions,
SmokinSailor

Wire brush in a drill and/or a power sander to remove as much of the surface rust as you can. Paint up the firebox then wipe it down with oil toward the end of each cook to keep it "seasoned" like a cast iron skillet.

Because of the extreme heat, the paint is never gonna stay on the firebox very long. Keep it oiled and it won't matter. Always oil the hinges!!!

As for the lid not closing properly, you can either try to tweak it back into alignment (I wouldn't) or find a large rock to put on top of the lid. I've seen a lot of old 'dera's at contests with the rock mod.

Congrats on a real find. That appears to be an American made Bandera we all wish we could find at a garage sale.

Thanks for the suggestions and I plan on doing the mods in the next few weeks. I didn't know some weren't made in the US or that there is a difference. As you can tell, I'm new to the Bandera. SolidKick refers to "REAL GOOD vegetable oil". Sorry for the ignorance but, whats REAL GOOD and whats not?

BTW, I got the Bandera with a cover that is pretty well worn. Any suggestions on a replacement?

Yeah what he said!!

Kick you're still pretty quick for an old fart!!!

Since I have your ear, so to speak... I've read where many suggest you should use a couple probes in the smokebox to monitor cooking temps as the gauge on the door can be very unreliable. Any suggestions on how to put the probes in the firebox knowing the probe wires aren't all that long? I'm not in a hurry to have to deal with wires everytime I open the door and I gotta beleive the plastic transmitter will melt if left dangling along the side of the smokebox or sitting on top...

Looks like mine lol..

I would suggest sanding it down and wiping it with laquer thinner. Then a few coats of 1500 degree hedder paint that can be purchased at a pepboys or auto zone. Like others have said it wont last forever if your using it like you'll want to but it last better then normal paint. My suggestions for moda are the small grate in the bottom to hold a tighter coal pattern then stock, a temp guage in the bottom portion of the door to go with the stock one up high, and the smoke port mod so the smoke goes into the box more evenly. If charcoal is to be your main source of heat then the charcoal tray is a good addition. I used wood so I beefed up my grating and lifted it off the floor of the fire box 1 1/2 inches. Also a peice of 1/8 steel that will fit on the top grill rack to ensure more heat goes into the box is also a necessity for 15 plus hr slow cooks. Hope this helps you as much as it has me. Happy Qing

hey sailor.
im also having to do some rebuild work on my bandera a 35.00 $ yard sale item.not only was the lid of the fire box burnted out also the front an back part of lid an some of the very top.an the side next to the cooking chamber was gone also.all being to replaced with 1/8 plate looks like your fire box was in a better shape than mine.lood luck

kcquer said:

As for the lid not closing properly, you can either try to tweak it back into alignment (I wouldn't) or find a large rock to put on top of the lid. I've seen a lot of old 'dera's at contests with the rock mod.

Click to expand...

I'd like to second the rock mod.

Only, I use three (3!) bricks instead of rocks.

WARNING! they get hot... :roll: