Cajun Injector (Brinkman) Gravity Feed Mod

[non3ck]

I have been using a Cajun Injector branded Brinkman smoker for several years. Just in case you are not familiar, it looks like a small refrigerator (33"tall x 16"deep by 18"wide). It has an electric element that heats whatever you put in the pan and is the heat source for the cook. The electronics went out (including the element) and I continued to use it burning charcoal after a few alterations. I had plans to build a stumps clone (about the size of the Prince) and started to get the materials together when I was given a gift (or a curse) by someone in the form of a basketball goal including the pole, backboard, frame, etc. This is a heavy duty model that came from a playground. It has a square tube support pole that is 8' long and 5"x5" (3/16" thick steel). The supports are 2"x3" tube and it has a few other parts that are usable all 3/16". I looked at the "stuff" and determined that I could make a gravity feed tube, fire box and ash box out of the 5"x5" tube (starting at about 4"x4") and used the 3"x2" tube as a transfer tube. Using knowledge gained on this forum (and other "expert" opinions) I have cut and welded it up and I hope to finish with doors, insulation, wrapping and attaching next weekend. I will post pics when I get my phone (they are the phone) in working order again.

My questions:

1. Has anyone out there done this mod before? If so, can you please give me your do's and don'ts before it is waaaay too late.
2. Before I burn anymore time and money, can anyone see why this mod would not work?

[alleyrat58]

I have never done a mod like that before. I have been slowly working on a clone from the ground up. 5x5 for the feeder should be sufficient, but you may want to make your ash box a bit bigger for air flow and your ability to get in there and clean it out. You may also consider bolstering up the burn area to 1/2" or better thickness. I have a 1/4" firebox on my cooker and it moves around a bit while it's cooking. On my clone I am using 1/2" for the burn box and 1/4" for the feed chute. I will probably use 1/4" for the ash box with a frame built out of some 1" tube.

Hope that helps! Post pics!

[Gizmo]

I don't know how caught up he is on reading so drop Smokertom a PM so he knows about this thread - I think his opinion would be very good to have here ...

[alleyrat58]

I don't know how caught up he is on reading so drop Smokertom a PM so he knows about this thread - I think his opinion would be very good to have here ...

[non3ck]

I have some pics of the current progress. I apologize for the quality of the photo but you can get the idea. The chute is about 37" with a taper (+/- 4" to 5"). The fire box is 7" tall reinforced with four plates of 3/16" (basically welded back two cut sections of the 5"x5" square tube) for a nominal thickness of just over 1/2". The transfer tube is about 23" and allows for a 3" offset from the side of the smoking chamber and ends about and inch short of the inside wall. The other pic is of the new hole cut in the existing smoker box. I will insulate and seal the round hole as part of the next steps. Based on comments about the ash box size, I will make it larger. Thanks to everyone for the feedback!

[non3ck]

Here is the taper on the feed chute. Basically split the corners down the length and tacked a piece of angle to the "flap" and bent it in and clamped/welded it. It ain't pretty but it is tapered.

[alleyrat58]

Looking good so far!

[non3ck]

Build Update:

Existing smoke vent ready to be capped


Improvised circle cutting jig to make a plate to cover the existing smoke vent


Plasma cutters rock!


Chimney/Transfer tube assembly into the smoke chamber


Fire box ready for the ash box


Ash box opening with rails


Inside the ash box with grate stop in place


Grate


Ash box in place, air intake tube installed, frame attached to smoke chamber


Cut opening in smoke chamber for new stack


Side view before remaining frame assembly. Intake is on the left, new stack is on the top right


Frame installed to take outside sheathing


Paper template for cutting the top plate


Ash box and sheathing before welding


Back view with the finished frame


Top sheathing fit over the stack, feed tube and air intake tube. You can never have too many clamps!


Rock wool insulation


Sheathing with holes cut for "rivet welds"


Attaching the side panel


Making the door frame


Upright with supports attached


Ran out of weekend...hopefully next post will show finished product

[Gizmo]

Man you are sure making some serious progress! Nice looking build!

[alleyrat58]

Nice progress! Can't wait to see this thing make smoke!

[The Czar]

....man that is moving along nicely....and your avavtar is

[Smokeone]

It is coming along nicely. You will be smoking in no time!

[non3ck]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[Gizmo]

non3ck, according to your av they sure grow 'em big down your way!

[non3ck]

non3ck, according to your av they sure grow 'em big down your way!

Yeah...you got go full auto on 'em

[non3ck]

For all intents and purposes...the build is all but done. Here are the final pics:

Here it is after fab, before grinding and painting. I am a much better grinder than a welder


I am glad to finally have it back home all painted and ready for action.


First batch of lump in the chimney.


Fully engaged grate 'o fire with an apple and hickory split in the ash box.


...and then the door fell off. Tacked it and forgot to really put the weld to it. Too late to give up...improvised and overcame.


Biscuit test looks pretty good. Stacked in order of rack position from bottom (on the bottom) to top.


Holding 'bout right


Did a full 24 hour "burn-in" at temps from 200-400 degrees. I put it to bed at 235, It was still at 211 in the morning with lump to spare. Not sure why you would need it, but I could run this thing for 24+ hours without refueling. Here is a view down the tube.


Here comes some QVIEW...rubbed a couple butts.


Racked and ready.


My buddy let me use his DigiQ for the latter part of the cook. Mine should be here this week


...and 13.5 hours later...


Got some good penetration (insert joke of choice). Not pictured: homemade BBQ sauce, cold beer.


I feel a "thank you" speech coming on:
Could not have done it without my bro and best bud, Shane (he is the one that can actually weld). He logged a good 30+ hours with me and without me on this project. [fist to chest two times, peace sign].
Thanks to Mitch for DigiQ loaner. You saved the day! I love you and hate you for it all at the same time ;)
Thanks to my wife for...hell she won't ever read this stuff so never mind.
Thanks to all of you with the same affliction for the inspiration to finally get it done

[Smokeone]

Your cooker turned out nice! It is great to have good help, when you are building.
By your numbers I would say it will do just fine, gotta love a cooker that takes care of you!

Them are some fine looking butts. Makes me hungry again. And that penetration.............................................yeah I wont touch that either!

[The Czar]

......so now you know the ......I need a sample to make sure you got it dialed in.....

[PvilleComp]

24 hrs without feeding it is almost like cheating! ;)

[Frank_Cox]

Just now getting to your thread non3ck,
Great MOD! looks like it does a great job! pork looks great!

[alleyrat58]

I like it - a lot!

[non3ck]

Thanks for everyone's feedback on the build. I am glad it is all but said and done. A couple of issues. Hope someone can

1. Testing went great I was able to open the door a bit and get the temp to hold a consistent 225-230. Once I loaded the box with meat and a water pan. No draw at all. I plugged up the down draft tube (meant for a guru) and installed a damper in the door of the ash box and opened it up as far as it would go. Even opened the door all the way. No draw at all. Do I have a pressure, volume, heat issue in this small environment? WTF???????

2. I have smoked some butts on two occasions and a brisket to date. The meat looks great after 12-14 or so hours in the smoker. This thing puts on the best smoke ring I have been able to achieve (which I understand is not necessary for good flavor). The bark looks great and the inside is moist and tender. The problem is...it tastes a bit "off". I am using lump charcoal and have experimented with various amounts of wood chunks to try to get some more smoke on the meat. It isn't bad but it has a raw "charcoaly" taste. As far as I can tell, I am getting a complete burn and even hooked up the guru to it and it cycles as I would expect. Still tastes "not awesome" and kinda "chemically". That is the best I can describe it. Any ideas?

[Gizmo]

I just now went back and looked over your pics. Does the fire vent out a separate stack tube that is NOT the cook chamber?

[PressureRanger]

I am trying to figure out your airflow path here. Could you show some pics, especially inside of the boxes and describe the airflow from entering the firebox to exiting the chimney so we can maybe help figure it out.

[Gizmo]