Modifications on a new pit?

[MEAT]

Just purchased a Brinkmann Smoke King Deluxe and I'm ready to modify.
I've read over Bandera 101 and have seen some great ideas, especially on a new Firegrate and a Baffle.
But being that I'm in lack of tools, materials and skill does anyone here market or sell such items?
Or should I try to find a machine shop and a welder?
Thanks for any help.

 

[BBQchef33]

a welder can make the grate and baffle in real short time and most likly have scrap around to do it. Just give him the template for the baffle form our file section and the dimension of the firebox for the grate.. and of course show up witha pork butt or rack of ribs and its pretty likly you will have a deal.

 

[Oldbob]

Congrats on the Smoke King !! I have done most of the Mods on mine..New Grate...Baffle..and a Fire Basket and lined the fire box with Fire Bricks...they just take time to complete but they are well worth the effort. I Know You will enjoy the New Smoker !!

 

[smokinbadger]

Before I found a welder who would trade work for Q, I made a firegrate, baffle and charcoal basket without welding. You can get the expanded metal at Lowe's or Home Depot, as well as sheet metal for the baffle. Lacking a sheet metal brake in my garage, when I made my baffle, I used a couple of C clamps and pieces of 2x4 to set the bend lines and then just folded the metal over, using a hammer to make the bend line crisp.

In the long run, you will be better off getting the basket and firegrate welded, and it shouldn't cost you much.

Good luck with the new pit!

 

[thillin]

Where are you located? Academy Sports sells some expanded steel framed with angle iron. I'm not sure of the size, but would make a great fire grate.

 

[MEAT]

Academy sounds like a great idea...and if I was back home in Texas it would be no problem at all. But I'm stuck out in Kalifornia for now so I have to do with what I got. And actually, after the excitment of getting a new pit, I starting talking to people I know and also to people "I kind of know" and now I have people wanting to help me. It's funny but I have three different people wanting to make fire grates for me and one guy wanting to help me with a baffle. I never really thought about asking my friends for help but once I thought about it....duh, everyone likes barbecue....or is it barbeque?
Anyway, friends are a terrible thing to waste....use them....lol
And thanks for the help you all.

If I burn some good meat this weekend I'll send out some pics.

 

[Bigmista]

Where in California are you?

 

[MEAT]

Monterey, Ca