• working on DNS.. links may break temporarily.

Bandera 101 Document

101 doc was a great intro to outfitting your Bandera. I did a few cheap mods that was not on the list. In the fire box I took out the grill rack and clips that held up the grill rack. I repurposed the clips in the smoke box for retainers to keep the racks from falling out when loaded with meat when you pull them out. Place them in the middle of the rack clips on top of the rack then mark a spot to drill a hole to bolt to the smoke box. Use all four, two on each side stacked where you need them. Back to the fire box. I bought 6 fire bricks from Home Depot and started to place a layer on the bottom and three sides. Didn't have enough so on my way back to the Depot I found a masonry supply store and bought them at a fraction of the price. You will have to trim two of them to make a layer for the bottom. For the ones on the side I got a 4 bolts, washers, and nuts to hold them in place. To trim them, Soak them in water and cut them with circular saw using diamond concrete blade. You will have to modify the charcoal grate to make it fit back in. I cut a short link out and bolted them back together. You have to cut the ash pan also. I would suggest cutting the ash pan narrower than the charcoal rack to easily pull as out while smoking. Something I need to do.

One more that was mentioned in the document but I did it easy and cheap is the lid mod. There is a lot of dead space in the lid. I took out the direct flame ability for fire brick addition so I got two small pieces of flat steel (small gauge) and cut a narrow V about an inch from the outside corner on one at each corner. This makes "tabs" that slide over the inside lip of the lid. One sheet didn't fill the entire space so on the other sheet I only cut 2 V's and slid this one over the other to fill the gap. To keep it from sliding around I screwed a self tapping screw into the two sheets. Doesn't budge and easy to remove.

I hope this is helpful and you enjoy your Bandera. I can load mine up with charcoal and wood chunks and not have to touch it for about 3 hours.
 
Many thanks to Mr.Bill for the email with the Bandera doc. Lots of great info and tips. I plan on taking advantage of all the mods during the rebuild of my $50 find.
 
bbeavers said:
101 doc was a great intro to outfitting your Bandera. I did a few cheap mods that was not on the list. In the fire box I took out the grill rack and clips that held up the grill rack. I repurposed the clips in the smoke box for retainers to keep the racks from falling out when loaded with meat when you pull them out. Place them in the middle of the rack clips on top of the rack then mark a spot to drill a hole to bolt to the smoke box. Use all four, two on each side stacked where you need them. Back to the fire box. I bought 6 fire bricks from Home Depot and started to place a layer on the bottom and three sides. Didn't have enough so on my way back to the Depot I found a masonry supply store and bought them at a fraction of the price. You will have to trim two of them to make a layer for the bottom. For the ones on the side I got a 4 bolts, washers, and nuts to hold them in place. To trim them, Soak them in water and cut them with circular saw using diamond concrete blade. You will have to modify the charcoal grate to make it fit back in. I cut a short link out and bolted them back together. You have to cut the ash pan also. I would suggest cutting the ash pan narrower than the charcoal rack to easily pull as out while smoking. Something I need to do.

One more that was mentioned in the document but I did it easy and cheap is the lid mod. There is a lot of dead space in the lid. I took out the direct flame ability for fire brick addition so I got two small pieces of flat steel (small gauge) and cut a narrow V about an inch from the outside corner on one at each corner. This makes "tabs" that slide over the inside lip of the lid. One sheet didn't fill the entire space so on the other sheet I only cut 2 V's and slid this one over the other to fill the gap. To keep it from sliding around I screwed a self tapping screw into the two sheets. Doesn't budge and easy to remove.

I hope this is helpful and you enjoy your Bandera. I can load mine up with charcoal and wood chunks and not have to touch it for about 3 hours.
Click to expand...

if you take some pics and write up a description for the steps, i can include them in the bandera101 doc. :thumb:
 
Question: has anyone tried the minion method with the Firebox using T plates in them? How good does charcoal hold heat in the Bandera? Thanks.
 
NMETL_Tony said:
Question: has anyone tried the minion method with the Firebox using T plates in them? How good does charcoal hold heat in the Bandera? Thanks.
Click to expand...



Assuming all the necessary gaskets and seals are in place, it holds heat very well. You're just going to have to reload every 3-4 hours, depending on how hot you're going.
 
I was at Walmart yesterday and looked at the Bandera. It looks like the current model now has a firebox baffle. Has the firebox grate been upgraded too to address the airflow issues? It's hard to tell from the pics in the Bandera 101 document.
 
10miler said:
I was at Walmart yesterday and looked at the Bandera. It looks like the current model now has a firebox baffle. Has the firebox grate been upgraded too to address the airflow issues? It's hard to tell from the pics in the Bandera 101 document.
Click to expand...


It has about 2" under the coal grate.
 
10miler said:
Was the original right on the firebox floor? You're saying the new one is better, right?
Click to expand...

I don't know about the original mine is the new one. But 2" should be enough based on what I have seen in my Longhorn, the Bandera is new and haven't run it yet. Will know more this week-end.
 
I increased mine to about 3.5" with some bolts and feel really good about the temps I have been getting in the dry runs. I suspended it on bolts because I wanted the ability to take out the ash pan and dump it mid-cook.
 
No basket but that is on the to-do list. It will probably be 15.5"x20"x8". Smitty will give me **** about making a charcoal basket but it's more to control my coal bed more than anything. During the curing stage I dumped my lit charcoal and had to chase hot coals all over the firebox since the stock ash pan and grate are undersized for the firebox.

I created a new ash pan with a 16"x20"x1/4" thick sheet and several 2" angle iron. I bolted all the sides down with 2" screws at the corners so the bottom is elevated from the firebox floor. Also have a sheet of expanded metal that is 15.5"x20" to use as the new fire grate.

I'll throw down a picture when I get home.
 
16x20" ash pan

8d1c0e374cddae040579a78876058c27.jpg


1 inch clearance

2afffe272fcb11191b12bb746938212b.jpg


Comparison

85c58f1aba5f3c9fe2e942b5e03ab88a.jpg


Snug fit.

ee22c9fc197fed7f5bce53c789ece362.jpg
 
Last edited:
Is anyone using anything between firebox and cook chamber? Seems like a lot of potential for leaks. Have my new Bandera from the Walmart clearance and wondering about sealing this area as I assemble.
 
Southstar Jeff said:
Is anyone using anything between firebox and cook chamber? Seems like a lot of potential for leaks. Have my new Bandera from the Walmart clearance and wondering about sealing this area as I assemble.
Click to expand...



Yes. Use high heat silicone. There will be gaps, as the six screws can't cover the entire opening. It may look solid when you put it together but the firebox will flex when you do your initial burn.
 
Walmart jackpot!

Okay Brothers don't hate me.
I've been a longtime member of this site, been smoking with a UDS for quite some time.
But after scoring a $25 Weber Kettle Grill at Walmart, due to their clearance sale on outdoor and Grilling items. They are trying to make room for their Christmas merchandise.
I started to look around on their app. I noticed in the store about 15 miles away from my home that they had one.
Hey Bandera, on closeout for the unbelievable low price of $89. Regular $376.
Needless to say I beat feeted it on down there, took me and then three of those Walmart kids to load it up in the back of my truck.
My wife thinks I'm crazy, cuz I already have two smokers UDS, and a Pit Barrel smoker. Of course she said what do you need another smoker for, I said it was $89. I said if you found a pair of $300 shoes for 50 bucks would you buy it? Needless to say she didn't give me any more grief.
Now it's time to mod this puppy out.
Thanks a head of time for all your help, because this site help me with my UDS. And they are just some good guys that like to smoke meat.
 

Attachments

  • 20170821_171246.jpg
    20170821_171246.jpg
    67.2 KB · Views: 741
  • 20170821_171100.jpg
    20170821_171100.jpg
    47.8 KB · Views: 736
  • 20170821_170644.jpg
    20170821_170644.jpg
    101.6 KB · Views: 733
  • 20170821_173458.jpg
    20170821_173458.jpg
    87 KB · Views: 734
bbeavers said:
101 doc was a great intro to outfitting your Bandera. I did a few cheap mods that was not on the list. In the fire box I took out the grill rack and clips that held up the grill rack. I repurposed the clips in the smoke box for retainers to keep the racks from falling out when loaded with meat when you pull them out. Place them in the middle of the rack clips on top of the rack then mark a spot to drill a hole to bolt to the smoke box. Use all four, two on each side stacked where you need them. Back to the fire box. I bought 6 fire bricks from Home Depot and started to place a layer on the bottom and three sides. Didn't have enough so on my way back to the Depot I found a masonry supply store and bought them at a fraction of the price. You will have to trim two of them to make a layer for the bottom. For the ones on the side I got a 4 bolts, washers, and nuts to hold them in place. To trim them, Soak them in water and cut them with circular saw using diamond concrete blade. You will have to modify the charcoal grate to make it fit back in. I cut a short link out and bolted them back together. You have to cut the ash pan also. I would suggest cutting the ash pan narrower than the charcoal rack to easily pull as out while smoking. Something I need to do.

One more that was mentioned in the document but I did it easy and cheap is the lid mod. There is a lot of dead space in the lid. I took out the direct flame ability for fire brick addition so I got two small pieces of flat steel (small gauge) and cut a narrow V about an inch from the outside corner on one at each corner. This makes "tabs" that slide over the inside lip of the lid. One sheet didn't fill the entire space so on the other sheet I only cut 2 V's and slid this one over the other to fill the gap. To keep it from sliding around I screwed a self tapping screw into the two sheets. Doesn't budge and easy to remove.

I hope this is helpful and you enjoy your Bandera. I can load mine up with charcoal and wood chunks and not have to touch it for about 3 hours.
Click to expand...

Any pictures available you could post?
 
Southstar Jeff said:
Is anyone using anything between firebox and cook chamber? Seems like a lot of potential for leaks. Have my new Bandera from the Walmart clearance and wondering about sealing this area as I assemble.
Click to expand...

I used 1/4 rope gasket, but I haven't fired it up yet.
if you do don't over tighten the bolts so the metal bends
I was concerned about it getting too hot for the high temp silicone
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Bandera
Replies
0
Views
289
TomBone
T
M
Original New Braunfels Bandera
Replies
10
Views
876
JCBII
J
cayenne
Looking for a new stick burner....1/4 steel a must.
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
TheHojo
TheHojo
B
Need advice for fixing my custom offset firebox
Replies
3
Views
426
1MoreFord
1MoreFord
B
Getting back at it!
Replies
4
Views
657
frognot
frognot
Back
Top