Mini Steel Cost

[Cole]

Add in a few gauges, paint, consumables,a few hardware items and a smokebuilder sticker. Gonna push you real close to $2k.

I thought you were talking about cold beverages, amber in color! Yea, the more I look at what others are doing the project seems to grow, I want to add a shelf and a controller!

[mp4]

If you're going to get a controller skip the 2" ball valve and put the controller on right away. You'll save the cost of the ball valve, which isn't cheap and won't be needed.

Too much is just right!

[Dirtytires]

Just when I thought I was finished, I had to order a Bluetooth BBQ monitor and probes....and a new instant read....and....

It just never stops, but it's fun!

[Cole]

If you're going to get a controller skip the 2" ball valve and put the controller on right away. You'll save the cost of the ball valve, which isn't cheap and won't be needed.

Too much is just right!

MP4 - Good to know, not sure if I will be able to start with the controller or not. Kinda depends on how the project goes or how much it grows. Thanks, Cole

[Heatermeter builder]

If you're going to get a controller skip the 2" ball valve and put the controller on right away. You'll save the cost of the ball valve, which isn't cheap and won't be needed.

Too much is just right!

MP4 - Good to know, not sure if I will be able to start with the controller or not. Kinda depends on how the project goes or how much it grows. Thanks, Cole

When you are building your smoker, build a heatermeter. You can get kits for less then $100 and they will have tons more options then then any premade system.

Regardless, which system you decide to hace, you will definitely want something to control the mini. I tried to use my double pan GF and it took over an hour to get the temperature from 48°f to 50°f, there was no way I was going to wait and see how long it would take to get the thing to 200+f

[Elmacho]

What part of the country are you located?


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[Cole]

What part of the country are you located?

Ohio / Michigan boundary near Lake Erie

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[Cole]

If you're going to get a controller skip the 2" ball valve and put the controller on right away. You'll save the cost of the ball valve, which isn't cheap and won't be needed.

Too much is just right!

MP4 - Good to know, not sure if I will be able to start with the controller or not. Kinda depends on how the project goes or how much it grows. Thanks, Cole

When you are building your smoker, build a heatermeter. You can get kits for less then $100 and they will have tons more options then then any premade system.

Regardless, which system you decide to hace, you will definitely want something to control the mini. I tried to use my double pan GF and it took over an hour to get the temperature from 48°f to 50°f, there was no way I was going to wait and see how long it would take to get the thing to 200+f

I will keep you posted, it's nice there are a lot of options!

[pr0wlunwoof]

Heater meter is the best. I have not used the fan yet but the web interface and ability to use whatever probe you want is by far the best option. Plus it's open source which means your not relying on someone's profit margin

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[Heatermeter builder]

Heater meter is the best. I have not used the fan yet but the web interface and ability to use whatever probe you want is by far the best option. Plus it's open source which means your not relying on someone's profit margin

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Although, you can use any type of probe, there are only two that are present in the settings, which are thermoworks Pro series and Mavericks. Of the two thermoworks are by far the best. They are water resistant, cheap and have straight, bent, short, long varieties.

But, you can also, with some testing and math use any other probes you like. You just have to figure out the coefficients.

[pr0wlunwoof]

Thanks for the clarifications. I can also tell you about web interfaces, security, hot spots, and a ton of other stuff. Pretty much heater meter if your worth your salt.

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[Chromeski]

I've just recently got two quotes to cut steel for my mini. One was $1500 and one at $875. This does not count any tube, angle, or expanded. I'm hoping to hear from another steel cutting guy before I drain my account.

[Elmacho]

Where are you located?


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[Dirtytires]

I hope that includes the steel itself. Even tho, that sounds a bit high. I would make the argument that it is time to purchase a plasma cutter and do it yourself. Good excuse to buy a new tool and you will have it for years to come.

I pull mine out at least once a week.

[AndrewPalmer71]

YTH. I would buy the plasma.

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[pr0wlunwoof]

Ouch. Seems high. I will say though. Even with a plasma cutter it's a tone of cuts. I would wait for the kit they have been working on.

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[Chromeski]

Where are you located?


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I'm in southern California, yes includes steel. I agree more than I want to spend, but if i buy a plasma I'll need to learn how to use it too might ruin a few sheets. I've had a difficult time just getting estimates for some reason. One way or another I just need to build a smoker

[Dirtytires]

Just a thought but have you considered how much the extra 6 inches are costing you? For instance, a square that is 24x48 inches can be made out of 1 sheet of steel. If you add just 1 inch to either dimension you need 2 sheets which doubles your cost. If you add 1 inch to both dimensions you now need 4 sheets. Just because you don’t take home the drops does not mean you are not charged for the entire sheet and the more sheets you need increases labor charges to change them out on the table. Take a few minutes and draw out your cuts and you may find those 6 inches are greatly increasing cost.

You can then call and get the cost of the sheet steel so you will know what the cutting will cost to help determine if that convenience is worth the cost.

I nested mine and found I could save quite a bit by special ordering 2 sheets at 4x10 instead of using 3 of the standard 4x8 sheets. They were 0.5 inch thick so a bear to move but I just kept sliding off the end of 3 sawhorses and cutting as I went. Manageable but this is definately not an option if you need to clean up the garage every night to pull the car in.

As far as the tube and angles, most come in standard 20 foot sections-always buy in full stock legnth. All the yards I’ve ever been to will cut it in half and load it in my truck for no additional fees. You will end up with very little waste if you think things out and it is easily cut with an angle grinder.

[Wcooke24]

Does anyone know the cost to paint and what type of paint do most people use

[pr0wlunwoof]

I used rustoleum grill paint. Bought it by the quart and a cheap spray gun. It has held up fine.

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[Wcooke24]

Thank you sir. I am currently using a 250 gallon propane tank reverse flow. It is great but if I am only going to cook one butt or one brisket or just a few racks of ribs for the family it is kinda overkill. I just used rattle cans of the flat black for that build but was looking for some different paint colors and looks for this. Thanks for your help

[pr0wlunwoof]

I gotcha. I have heard of folks using engine block paint. Any high heat paint should hold up pretty good. Allot of guys powder coat, but I'm a little more function over fashion.

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[Dirtytires]

Much of the “high temp” paints need to be heat cured at 350-450 degrees. Not sure how they hold up without the cure as I won’t push my pit that hot. Interested to know if anyone has any experience here...

[Elmacho]

The Mini is fully insulated. Not a real use case for high temp paint since the outside doesn’t get above 100 degrees. I powder coat mine for durability but have seen rattle can and car paint used.

Did you find a better price on getting everything cut?