hammb
Full Fledged Farker
- Joined
- May 8, 2013
- Location
- Waterville, OH
Some people probably remember me posting a craigslist ad and asking what the heck this smoker was. Well, I purchased it and it is parked in my driveway. Having a new little one (and still working on a kitchen remodel from June) I haven't really gotten much time to address the smoker, and figured that it was more of a springtime project. I did, however, get all the leaves and other crap cleaned out of it. I went at it pretty good with the shop vac (quite a bit of rust as well, obviously).
Anyways, I'm posting pictures of what I now have left and asking for any advice/suggestions on what to do to get this bad boy fixed up and ready to roll next summer. Never cooked on a stick burner and never done any of this sort of work (my current cooker was a new in box WSM).
Off the top of my head:
I'd like to replace the handles. Is there a place to purchase the metal wire type handles I see on other cookers?
The wheels are shot and won't hold air. They're dry-rotted completely. I think I can pick them up at TSC which I can see from my back yard.
The racks were all garbage so I will need to get some new ones made. I was thinking just expanded metal. I'm guessing a local metal yard would be able to do that? Should I expect them to cut it to the size(s) that I need for the vertical chamber and the main cooking chamber, or should I expect a giant sheet that I have to cut myself?
My father was originally a welder/mechanic and he says he thinks he can get a portable welder to put a new bottom on the horizontal stack that has obviously rusted out.
What about cleaning out the rust/new paint? I'm guessing I should try to take some steel wool to it to get rid of the rust a bit and then hit it with a coat or two of high temp BBQ paint? Should I paint the inside of the cooking chambers/firebox/etc, or just stick with the outside?
What about thermometers. The one it has is cracked, the port in the vertical stack is empty. Any suggestions on where to get a thermometer that will fit that opening?
Any other suggestions of what to do to help restore this bad boy and get it back up and running next summer? Thanks for any help suggestions from the brethren! Love this place!
Anyways, I'm posting pictures of what I now have left and asking for any advice/suggestions on what to do to get this bad boy fixed up and ready to roll next summer. Never cooked on a stick burner and never done any of this sort of work (my current cooker was a new in box WSM).
Off the top of my head:
I'd like to replace the handles. Is there a place to purchase the metal wire type handles I see on other cookers?
The wheels are shot and won't hold air. They're dry-rotted completely. I think I can pick them up at TSC which I can see from my back yard.
The racks were all garbage so I will need to get some new ones made. I was thinking just expanded metal. I'm guessing a local metal yard would be able to do that? Should I expect them to cut it to the size(s) that I need for the vertical chamber and the main cooking chamber, or should I expect a giant sheet that I have to cut myself?
My father was originally a welder/mechanic and he says he thinks he can get a portable welder to put a new bottom on the horizontal stack that has obviously rusted out.
What about cleaning out the rust/new paint? I'm guessing I should try to take some steel wool to it to get rid of the rust a bit and then hit it with a coat or two of high temp BBQ paint? Should I paint the inside of the cooking chambers/firebox/etc, or just stick with the outside?
What about thermometers. The one it has is cracked, the port in the vertical stack is empty. Any suggestions on where to get a thermometer that will fit that opening?
Any other suggestions of what to do to help restore this bad boy and get it back up and running next summer? Thanks for any help suggestions from the brethren! Love this place!