Im torn on this Bandera?

[Sol00]

Morning all.

Looking for opinions here.

I was lucky enough to pick up a nice original (I think) Bander. Its solid and fairly straight. My first thought was to restore it to original but I'm starting to think maybe I'd like to make it a pellet rig.

I have the gear to do either.

Just wanting to hear your thoughts on it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ModelMaker]

Lighter fluid? That cooker looks embarrassed.
Ed

 

[Sol00]

Its not like I'm cooking in it here.

hehehehehe

 

[Adubree86]

Don't ruin it. Restore to original.

 

[Smokin J's PIts]

I would do both, refurbish her, and put the pellet hopper on the opposite side, that way you have the best of both worlds any time you want it.

 

[Bigwoods4x4]

While I don't know if there's anything that needs to be re-welded, re-fabbed......
I'll tell you what I'd do....

Go and rent an outdoor sand blaster. Spray that baby down and remove all the crud. Then recoat the outside only in high temp carbon grill paint (as much as 5 coats).

I have found that modifications on existing cookers usually end up leading to so much hassle that it just makes sense to build a new cooker with the modifications you're looking for instead.

 

[Adubree86]

This will tell you everything you need to know.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42718

 

[Sol00]

I've studied on the 101 doc. I am leaning to an original restore.

I haven't disassembled this rig yet but is has been soda blasted and high heat primed while I'm figuring which direction to go.

I will need to brake it down no matter. The firebox need to get trued up a bit if I go that way.

The hybrid idea is interesting as well. It is one thing that I dont have in the stable yet.

 

[BBQchef33]

ok.. first question.. What the hell is that hole in the back of the vertical for?

For drain holes, just a 3/16 inch hole in each corner is all you need.

i would definitely restore her.. the bandera is an awesome cooker.. i used mine for almost 15 years and when she finally gave up the ghost, I traded 2 WSMS for another bandera from NThole.. they both went thru many modifications and tweaks(which ive included in the Bandera 101 doc). Just doing the basic mods of the heat deflector, and the fire grate will get you going.

Your firebox looks pretty true.. is it separating from the main chamber? Over time they develop a sag.. I fixed that with some steel plate on both sides and bolted together sandwiching the old steel between them. Was hesitant about pulling it apart..they were mated together with some heavy rust.

overall looks in great shape.. i would've just clean out the inside and re-seasoned.. then prep and hit the outside with some grill paint. Then get to the important mods. heat deflector, fire grate first, then the door gasket..

 

[Sol00]

The hole in the back: The original owner tried to run a gas burner in the vertical. Fail!

You can see the drop out from the hole saw on the floor of the vertical. I'll be welding that dude back in for sure.

Great advice on the sag. Thank you. That could fix the biggest issue there is.

 

[pitbossJB]

I put legs in the middle for more support. One thing I can tell you is not to use charcoal in it. I made that mistake far too long before I tried it with wood, It cooks so much better with wood. It is a stick burner.

 

[cholloway]

I put legs in the middle for more support.

Same here... under the smoke chamber, right up against the fire box.

 

[BBQchef33]

correct.. A small bed of lump, and then beer can sized sticks or chunks after that. .. if you use briquettes, it will be a bitch to get up to temp. We used to cut the wider logs into wheels about 2-3 inches wide and then halve or quarter them. I found you get a cleaner burn with chunks.. do a search for cherry wheels and you'll find some classic laughs in our archives.

it only takes a small fire to keep her at 250. 2-3 chunks at a clip.

 

[Sol00]

Original it will be. I see the 1/4 of sag front to rear at the fire box. I'll get that fixed and go from there. Watch this space for updates

 

[Sol00]

Weekend update: Got the sag out. Cook chamber is square. Threw on some wheels. Added some rack rails and a heat deflector which may need to get shortened a bit.

Looking forward to getting it into paint for the first coat this week if all goes well.

 

[Sol00]

Well was finally able to get some paint on last weekend. First of 5 coats is on. : )

 

[KevinJ]

Nice work.

 

[OlyQ]

Looking good

 

[SteveKing]

Hmmm. That's a good reason to buy a spray gun

 

[Sol00]

Third coat is on. Starting to look like something. New wheels are on. Picked up the wrong size axle caps for the handles. The right ones are on the way. Still need to finish the fire basket but it's getting closer to cooking.

That spray gun was the best 10 bucks I ever spent in BBQ.