Gas grill with fire box combo

mazdaparts · Post by **mazdaparts** » November 5th, 2013, 11:59 am

I have this crazy idea in my noggin that has been bugging me for a while now. I have searched a lot on the interweb and have only found one other design. I'm looking for a combo gas(lp) grill/side fire box combo. I like the gas grill for the ease and speed of cooking and the challenge and flavor of smoke cooking. I will probably be smoking some ribs, chicken, pork butts, loins, ect. I know you can get a smoker box for the gas grill but I feel that isn't the same. I'm thinking about building a CC with gas grill internals. And attach a fire box to the side. I would more than likely have to incorporate some additional venting to allow the gas grill to function properly as most are not sealed like a smoker. And possibly a drip pan or liner of some sort. For me it would be the best of both worlds.
What are your thoughts, opinions, words of advice, insight, ect. Has anyone tried something like this? Should I just build or buy a smoker to put along side my gas grill? You guys are the experts, guide me wise ones.

Post by **Rodcrafter** » November 5th, 2013, 12:29 pm

This is a couple of threads you should look at before you go any further with this idea. I personally like the idea of having a smoker and a grill even if the grill is the top of my fire box. But it is very hard to make the plan you are trying to do SAFE. There have been some folks that have done some stuff like this, but how safe it is I can't say.

http://www.smokerbuilder.com/forums/vie ... f=31&t=689

http://www.smokerbuilder.com/forums/vie ... f=31&t=693

jm2cw

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » November 5th, 2013, 1:18 pm

Back up even further and ask yourself: What am I planning on?

Every event/cook I've ever done was designed a few days in advance - you have to when it comes to marinades, rubs, brining and all-night cooks to get the food ready at a certain time.

On the other hand - If I'm planning on a bunch of burgers for the adults and weenies for the kids then I know I'm going to be grilling.

RARELY are the 2 events mixed.

If I'm getting "Help" from standers-bys with cooking the burgers then I really don't want them messing with the cooker unless they're one of the few that actually know how…

Maybe the cooker isn't invited to this party because I'm doing it all on the old Weber.

Just food for thought….

Grabber70Mach · Post by **Grabber70Mach** » November 5th, 2013, 1:32 pm

mazdaparts wrote:Should I just build or buy a smoker to put along side my gas grill? You guys are the experts, guide me wise ones.

Yes, after many times of hearing issues with safety and gas, it's a no brainer in my opinion. Maybe think about building one. If buying look at the komando grills by Char-broil lots of bang for the buck.

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Puff · Post by **Puff** » November 5th, 2013, 5:48 pm

I've started my smoker thinking I'd park it along side the deck next to the gas bar b que grill. As the project is evolving, and there is now a small trailer involved, I'm just thinking about making a small spot on the trailer to accommodate a medium sized grill. I am no longer even considering this.

But as Gizmo said, the two events rarely mix even though it sounds like a great mix of foods, when you've got all those other options in the cooker, almost anyone eating a burger could be convinced to try some brisket, pork, ribs, chicken or what have you.

Clover Ridge Smokers · Post by **Clover Ridge Smokers** » November 5th, 2013, 7:41 pm

I have to agree with the others, gas is dangerous unless you really know what your doing.

mazdaparts · Post by **mazdaparts** » November 5th, 2013, 8:44 pm

I'm not sure I understand the danger here. I wouldn't be using both at the same time or even one after the other. I would either be grilling with propane or smoking with wood. I'm a griller and have been for many years. I always turn off the bottle and let the burner go out. Is there something else I'm not understanding? I'm just looking for a dual purpose item to not take up so much space on my deck. If it doesn't work I understand, but I'm not seeing the danger of the combo yet. Please enlighten me as I don't want to make a catastrophic mistake.

mazdaparts · Post by **mazdaparts** » November 5th, 2013, 8:55 pm

Forgot to mention that I am not cooking for large groups or mass quantities. Just for me and the family maybe my brothers and parents occasionally. This will not be much bigger than a regular grill with a fire box on the side. Maybe enough room for 2 sides of ribs.

Post by **Pete Mazz** » November 6th, 2013, 6:29 am

Many years ago I modded a horizontal smoker with a gas burner and controls. I found it to be a mediocre smoker and an acceptable grill. It wasn't worth the effort IMO and I soon changed back to separates. If space is an issue, consider a vertical smoker, which I prefer.

mazdaparts · Post by **mazdaparts** » November 6th, 2013, 1:05 pm

That makes sense Pete. They are 2 different animals.
Apparently space isn't as much of an issue as I previously thought. The wife asked we could have a sink in the outdoor kitchen I'm planning. WHHHAAAAA??? Outdoor kitchen???? Not sure what she is envisioning but I may have a larger project than I thought. Back to the crayolas and paper.

SmokinFF · Post by **SmokinFF** » November 6th, 2013, 1:22 pm

Sounds like permission to spend $$$$. How can we help?

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » November 6th, 2013, 6:24 pm

OUTDOOR KITCHEN? …. OH MY GOLLY! I'm thinking tandem axle, fold-out plasma screen and a new diesel tow rig ….. :biggrillin:

El Gato · Post by **El Gato** » November 6th, 2013, 6:30 pm

this is my backyard,

El Gato · Post by **El Gato** » November 6th, 2013, 6:34 pm

ACTUALLY!! that is what we will start to build this coming spring,
We got a contractor to start the project in feb 2014,
It is going to take about 20,000.00 to do

The Czar · Post by **The Czar** » November 6th, 2013, 6:34 pm

Man you suck!!

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El Gato · Post by **El Gato** » November 6th, 2013, 6:35 pm

i was dreamin again ! SORRY! i thought the project was finished

El Gato · Post by **El Gato** » November 6th, 2013, 6:36 pm

:smak:

Post by **Pete Mazz** » November 7th, 2013, 6:10 am

Whoa, the budget just went up for that project! Best part is you can blame her (not that I've ever done that).

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » November 7th, 2013, 6:21 am

"My wife made me build it….."

Has a nice ring to it!

I think we're onto something here!

Post by **Rodcrafter** » November 7th, 2013, 7:35 am

mazdaparts · Post by **mazdaparts** » November 8th, 2013, 12:56 am

I know my budget and space I have to work with. A full blown beauty like the one pictured above will not happen in my back yard. Maybe this weekend I'll have time to figure out what is in her pretty little head.

YouTube · Post by **Frank_Cox** » November 24th, 2013, 10:15 am

Don't try to build too many kinds of cookers into the same unit... afterall, if you was to succeed then you would be done building on the first one.. no excuse to build the next one.

mazdaparts · Post by **mazdaparts** » March 14th, 2014, 1:07 am

Hate to revive an old thread but since its mine I might as well. I finally got some insight into what she wanted and how I was going to incorporate it into my build of the outdoor kitchen. This all came to fruition last weekend when I was going to grill some chicken since it was nice out. I pulled the grill out of the corner and opened the lid. It was a disaster. The burner shields were rusted in two and the 2 of the 3 burners were cracked. It was about 8 years old and I had patched it up quite a few times already. I closed the lid and broke the news to her. We decided to get a new grill and there was no time like the present. So off we went. I looked at almost every store. I liked one at sears, a kenmore for about $430. Not in the budget. The only other one I liked the features on was at Walmart. It was branded by Better Homes and Gardens (BHG for short). About $260 got me all stainless steel construction and a grate made like the kenmore. No more porcelin coated steel. Actually Walmart had one that looked almost identical to a kenmore model. I assembled it and test fired it sunday morning and decided to smoke some pork. I brought the smoker out of the shed and onto the deck and I saw her wheels turning. She started moving the grill around and told me this it what she wanted. I did a few tweaks to make things more functional and got out the pen and paper and started drawing. After an absolutely delicious pork supper we headed to menards to get some supplies. I've been working in the evenings after work when weather allows and this is how far we are.

The outside will be covered in the dog eared fence boards and I will make panel that will fill in under the smoker and grill shelves. Also a tip-out trash can under one of the shelves. A door that covers the LP bottle. If I have time a cold water faucet and sink in the other shelf. I will have a short roof to keep the rain off and I'm sure the wife will have some decorating touches to add. More pics as build progresses.

SmokinFF · Post by **SmokinFF** » March 14th, 2014, 4:47 am

Gotta include her, then it's all her idea too.

Post by **Pete Mazz** » March 15th, 2014, 6:15 am

You may get some soot issues with the smoker that near the house. Depends which way the wind blows?

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