250 Trailer Smoker

[jwsimpleville]

I did, and my local Harbor Freight is used to seeing me buy 2-3 packs of 10 cutoff discs EVERY TIME they go on sale.
BTW for those that don't know is about once every 3 weeks.

[jwsimpleville]

So I just got finished with the final touch ups on the smoker.
Here's a quick review of what's been going on the last 2 months, I entered my first official KCBS competition. I entered the backyard division and thought for sure I would get the best results on my chicken. I didn't garnish anything and come to find out that while its not REQUIRED in KCBS it usually helps your appearance scores if you do. Never the less out of 14 teams in the backyard division I got 6th place for Chicken and Ribs and then 4th place on Pork. Then to my surprise we got 4th place overall, I guess alot of teams are good at 1 or 2 things but don't get consistent scores in all three which is why we 4th overall.
next year its on and I plan on taking home a trophy, heck 6 more points and 3rd overall wou6ldve gotten us a trophy and prize money.

While this smoker will not likely be 100% done as long as I own it, it is what most would consider complete.
I picked it up from the fab shop where they sand blasted it and sprayed it with my paint, but before I get into the new pics of my smoker I want to step back in time and show everyone what I started on just 4 years ago.

[jwsimpleville]

So here is when I took the smoker back to the fab shop

There's a little story about why I took it back to the fab shop.
I picked up the smoker yesterday afternoon and shortly after getting on the interstate and up to full speed the left side wheel came off the trailer, I then looked in the rear view mirror and saw that the smoker was riding straight enough on the bottom of the firebox that I could get it over to the side of the interstate. In the mean time as I slowed down the now separated tire passed me on the left riding again the concrete wall. I never did see that tire again.
So they sent somebody to bring me a temporary tire and help me limp it back to the shop.
Then this morning when the trailer supply store opened at 9am they had to go buy a new tire and hub assembly for the trailer. that cost them $116, seeing as I only paid them $250 for the sand blasting and the painting labor I would say they lost out on any attempt at making money on this deal.

[The Czar]

I like it....when you coming here to cook?

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[jwsimpleville]

So I got it home today around noon, and after they put a new tire on I figured I would go ahead and make the other tire match and keep my one original tire left as a spare JIC.
I upgraded to 3" Thermometers I can now calibrate and they look so much better and are honestly more accurate.
Anyways enough updates here come the new pics.
















All in all I think it turned out pretty to be a pretty good build.

[Smokeone]

Very nice! Them new sneakers really look good with that outfit.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Sounds like you were pretty lucky on the interstate episode. Things could have turned out a hole lot worse.....
Good looking rig.

[Gizmo]

Thanks for the story… Rig looks great!

[Rodcrafter]

[bluecatfish]

Great looking cooker!

[jwsimpleville]

So I entered into a local competition, only 20 teams. The judges scored us 16th, however we won Tasters choice.
prize for Tasters choice was 1/2 off next year's entry fee. Looking forward to trying again.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Nice job!!

[Smokeone]

Great work!

[Pete Mazz]

I don't think any of my smoked goodies would satisfy the seemingly sweet tooth of judges.

[Gizmo]

I'm with you Pete. We seems to do lousy with the judges but very good with the public - at least there is nothing left and the comments are all very positive……

[Rodcrafter]

[jwsimpleville]

So a little update, I've been practicing alot with potlucks at work and even done a fundraiser for a church.
I've decided prior to jumping into more competitions this year I'd judge several competitions in the first part of this year. I've done 3 and my 4th is this coming Saturday. I've learned alot and have a different perspective going into the 2014 competition scene

[Rodcrafter]

That sounds like a really good idea!

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Awesome plan

[jwsimpleville]

So I'm going to sell the smoker shown in this build if anyone is interested PM me. I want to build another one using a 500gal tank but need to fund it before congress (aka: the wife) will approve such a venture.
Any ideas/suggestions on what to sell it for?

[Rodcrafter]

That sure is a nice cooker you got there. I don't know what you should charge but I would make sure it pays for everything for the next one with some extra.

[onesquin]

I would imagine 3-4k minimum. Not sure where you live though. I would budget your next build and include a warming cabinet and account for your time some.

[The Czar]

Did you ever get the weight on that cooker by chance?

[jwsimpleville]

I didn't take it to any scales, so I would just be guessing.

[The Czar]

Works for me....take a stab bro...