"New mini"...first cook fatties and tri-tip...

[PaSmoker]

Finally built a mini...WSJ silver ($15 on craigslist)...32 qt vasconia ($20 at wally world sale a few months ago)...new Weber cooking rack ($8 amazon prime)...cheap thermo ($9 amazon prime)...Misc hardware (about $7 at home depot)...
Hardest part, getting that darned label off pot!
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll369/kdos66/BDS%20Smoker/753EFBBB-9C02-42B0-B554-7E51543EFA5F_zpstpv5y9zg.jpg (http://s313.photobucket.com/user/kdos66/media/BDS%20Smoker/753EFBBB-9C02-42B0-B554-7E51543EFA5F_zpstpv5y9zg.jpg.html)

Cut bottom out with aviation snips...(wife walks by, "Isn't that a new pot?"...shakes head and walks away...:roll:

http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll369/kdos66/BDS%20Smoker/AEF31A9A-A8A9-4EF6-B39F-B949966BEC53_zpsanrvkolm.jpg (http://s313.photobucket.com/user/kdos66/media/BDS%20Smoker/AEF31A9A-A8A9-4EF6-B39F-B949966BEC53_zpsanrvkolm.jpg.html)
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll369/kdos66/BDS%20Smoker/6B0C4CF1-2F4A-4E54-91BE-836E78E89E51_zpsoi8qdopa.jpg (http://s313.photobucket.com/user/kdos66/media/BDS%20Smoker/6B0C4CF1-2F4A-4E54-91BE-836E78E89E51_zpsoi8qdopa.jpg.html)

thermo stem just below grate...grate 4.5" from top...ss hardware with fiber washers and acorn nuts on outside...
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll369/kdos66/BDS%20Smoker/4BF95CF4-7161-47A8-A106-57C8B0DF8632_zpsr6ecmqa0.jpg (http://s313.photobucket.com/user/kdos66/media/BDS%20Smoker/4BF95CF4-7161-47A8-A106-57C8B0DF8632_zpsr6ecmqa0.jpg.html)

6" carriage bolt on bottom for temp control...
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll369/kdos66/BDS%20Smoker/7FF5C158-B646-418D-A244-857C007DB712_zpsykurriop.jpg (http://s313.photobucket.com/user/kdos66/media/BDS%20Smoker/7FF5C158-B646-418D-A244-857C007DB712_zpsykurriop.jpg.html)

http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll369/kdos66/BDS%20Smoker/CF053FC0-10AE-42C9-8F13-F882AA9BA37A_zpszcsvwd3n.jpg (http://s313.photobucket.com/user/kdos66/media/BDS%20Smoker/CF053FC0-10AE-42C9-8F13-F882AA9BA37A_zpszcsvwd3n.jpg.html)

tri-tip and 2 naked fatties...
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll369/kdos66/BDS%20Smoker/80522914-1BB5-4951-B4C6-7551C7328EA5_zpsgf7p4ljg.jpg (http://s313.photobucket.com/user/kdos66/media/BDS%20Smoker/80522914-1BB5-4951-B4C6-7551C7328EA5_zpsgf7p4ljg.jpg.html)

very pleased with results (though the roast got a little too done...my fault fault, not the mini!)...
http://i313.photobucket.com/albums/ll369/kdos66/BDS%20Smoker/6e1238b7-6469-4515-8595-00ffaf9197bd_zps3c46cb29.jpg (http://s313.photobucket.com/user/kdos66/media/BDS%20Smoker/6e1238b7-6469-4515-8595-00ffaf9197bd_zps3c46cb29.jpg.html)

LOVED cooking on this!...got up to temp quickly...held steady at 250-275, where I wanted it...(boil-tested the cheapo therm the nite before and happy to say it was "right on"!)...need to add bottom vent can cover as I got some ash build up...may make a charcoal basket...was gonna paint it but after it was done was too impatient, wanted to try it asap!...

Big THANKS to all the brethren for tips/techniques and sharing their builds...mine is just a "copy-cat" of what worked!!

[peeps]

Great first cook! You are gonna love that thing!

[c farmer]

That roast looks great to me.

[jonumberone]

I guess the Eagles have a Monday night game? :lol:

Looking good!

[Fwismoker]

Lookin good! The fiber washers will help with the grease not leaking out...I did that also.

[PaSmoker]

Lookin good! The fiber washers will help with the grease not leaking out...I did that also.

I know...stole idea from you!!

[Fwismoker]

I know...stole idea from you!! Oh ok. lol. I still get some occasional dripping but it's reduced big time.

[Wickedcajun]

Nice build... Damn good looking food

[1911Ron]

I was going to say you're going to love it, but it looks like i'm to late :mrgreen: Congrats on a good looking cooker.

[Decoy205]

Congrats on your new mini! Ive been using mine all summer and i love the damn thing! Best use for a smokey joe ever.

They are so much fun to cook on. My wife is getting annoyed at me for using it so much.

[mikemci]

I'm gathering the parts for one and got the Vasconia also. I wonder if anyone has tried seeing if the label comes off any easier if you fire it up first? Yours looks good!