Yo

[DocMorgan]

Doc here. Live in NJ. Done some smokin with a modified chargriller. Though it does the job, it's a PITA and a fuel hog. Leaks smoke even after adding seals, never evenly heats even after adding baffles, generally it is a pos.

As luck has it, I acquired 2 larger propane tanks and 2 100 lb tanks, and you can put the rest of the puzzle together yourself. Haven't started the build yet, but plan to this spring. Will post pics.

- Doc

[Frank_Cox]

Welcome to the site DocMorgan! you crack me up with the PITA and the POS... I will add them to the siteslang database: viewtopic.php?f=70&t=521

[Tom_Heath]

Welcome to the site doc, glad u found us. I hope we can get ya fixed up with a working rig. NJ. Should be getting close to having a pile of snow for the year. Do u have a shop or garage to work in?

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

[DocMorgan]

Thanks Frank. Damn fine job on the 160 Gal Reverse Flow Trailer Monster you built. I can only hope mine turns out half as nice. I have close to no "resources" to pull from, no forklift (damn!), and no garage space. To boot, I'm a newb by far, never welded before so this could turn out to be a disaster, comic relief, or a double face palm... game on!

Thanks Tom. No snow in NJ yet. Been really warm, 60 degrees plus in my neck of the asphalt jungle three days last week (except the day my friend wanted to smoke a shoulder). No Garage, no welder, no resources beyond 4 tanks. Right now, my best excuse for a plan is to wait until spring, get a cheap but reliable lincoln, come up with a real plan, and dive in. Right now I am planning on turning one into a Vertical Smoker, the other a Horizontal Reverse Flow. Will post pictures and such when the time comes.

[Frank_Cox]

hahaha, you got me on the forklift Doc! sounds like a good plan for your build. Thanks for the kind words about my build!

[DocMorgan]

In light of never welding, I did some research. Our county vocational-tech school offers adult night classes. I signed up for welding. By June 12th I should finish the class. Two nights a week and 3 hours each night for 10 weeks.

Gotta start somewhere!

-Doc

[Gizmo]

I really liked the classes I took - made a big difference !

[Tom_Heath]

Myself, I took no classes. Did I need to? YES!!!!!!!!

1 I couldn't afford it
2 I really didn't have the time.
3 And last but not least.............Never really was any good in school.

So in short, if you can manage a class, then go for it.
It will help.

I had more then a hand full of people to help me along the path of learning.
With that and hundred's of feet of welds being destroyed, I manage to feel pretty confident in what I do.

When in doubt......stick it hot and deep.

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

[Frank_Cox]

great deal on the school Doc! also I will be posting some links in the welding section to some helpful sites with tons of info.

[DocMorgan]

Not to stray too far from the original topic, but I would appreciate that Frank. I was looking at local sheet metal suppliers and there are tons of different types of steel. I know enough to stay away from galvanized, and that Stainless is a PITA to weld... but what I am interested in is resistance to heat (especially for reverse flow "floors"), and stuff like that. I may do a class summary posting for each of my classes for others to benefit from.

[GreenSmoker]

DocMorgan, don't get too carried away on this little hobby. It ain't brain science or rocket surgery, or sumpin'. You might take 1 of those 100 pounders and make that your first project as it will fit on the porch and not need massive amounts of time, materials, money and it cooks great. No sure about the technical side of an RF but, I do know they heat the bottom of the plate, radiate up, flow around, and make serious Q. Again, don't over think something as fun as Q'ing. JM2CW.

[Frank_Cox]

there ya go again greensmoker... something I need to add to the site slang database LOL. JM2CW, took me a minute to figure it out LOL

[DocMorgan]

DocMorgan, don't get too carried away on this little hobby. It ain't brain science or rocket surgery, or sumpin'. ...

Thanks for the check Steve. I tend to be someone who is all about planning... then execution (hoping that the whole thing doesn't turn into a contingency operation). To quote Admiral Josh Painter (character created by Tom Clancy) "Russians don't take a dump, son, without a plan." While I am not Russian, I completely buy into that philosophy... noting that the plan doesn't have to be full-proof but at least account for some of the more common possible deviations. This is not to say that I plan vacations on a hour by hour basis... I tend to enjoy the complete lack of structure when nothing matters. However, if you are responsible for something that people are depending on (not necessarily building a smoker but perhaps bringing a main dish to a gathering), you better darn well have a plan. The smoker falls somewhere in between in a less regimented, yet common sense area where it applies to the basic "You better know 'Whiskey Tango Fox' you're doing." otherwise its a waste of time and money... neither of which I have an excess of.

(just for clarification... nothing derogatory meant by this posting)

- D

[Frank_Cox]

too funny LOL. I love the philosophical twist that you put on that Doc and the Tom Clancy quote LOL.

[GreenSmoker]

Oscar Mary George. I hate being put in my place by a guy using words like, execution, dump, deviations and responsible. Did I mention regimented? And he reads too,. Daauum. Well I spose I kin wait fer the build pics and the first cook from the Taj Mahal of Q machines. Then I kin point and giggle.

No animals or human beans were injured or even thought of in the writing of the missive. That is all. (For now)

[Frank_Cox]

you guys are too much LOL

[DocMorgan]

Dag gaum! Didn't mean to offend. I guess I could've said I like to plan and left it at that. Whut fun woulditve been?

Taj... Maybe not the first... But a man can still dream big no? (or did the hopey changey thing f^{# that up too?)

PS - never read the book. I'm why they make audio books.

[GreenSmoker]

DocMorgan, I'm guessing you're married as you're still dreaming. I'll cut ya some slack, till ya get rope burn and I'll wait to see the puter driven plans for the Taj. I'm bettin' there'll be ooohhhin' an aaahhhin' and prolly some gruntin' all round. All round the bowl that is.

Gotta stop this as I will p*ss you off if I keep it up. I am waiting to see what you come up with and how it cooks for you. Even if I need a PHD to follow the build. Bada bom bom.

[Frank_Cox]

OK, you 2 are killin me LOL. do you guy's know each other? you make quite a pair and i must say I enjoy reading your reply's they make me

[GreenSmoker]

Nah never met the man.........just honing my razor sharp wit at his expense. Imagine what that wit would be if I read Clancy and didn't listen to the Clancy Brothers.

Ok enough, the man joined to learn and and not be my whipping boy/man...........whatever. Dam, having too much fun being foolish. Glad he is here and has a sense of humor. I bet that he builds the world's best smoker after this welcome just to shut me up. And I promise to be of any and all assistance.

[Frank_Cox]

well I must say You guys were makin for a fun read. BTW... I would like to point out that I noticed Doc is a KCBS Certified BBQ Judge! congrats on that Doc!
My wife and I are looking to do that this year also.

[Gizmo]

sheeesh! - some of these threads just wear me out...!

[The Czar]

Man you guys are hardcore...and it about time we get some law and order in here!!!

[Gizmo]

That's rich - coming from you DC!