Edgar is underway...

[Smokeone]

Doubtful!

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[Frank_Cox]

Apple pie, that is all

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[Smoke_Chef]

Really cool build!!

[Gizmo]

Thanks Smoke_Chef!

[Gizmo]

Since operating Edgar for the past year I've learned I built his firebasket about twice the size it needs to be. This meant trying to build a small fire in the middle of the one I had (shown on the right) ... hard to keep together. So I decided to make a smaller one from some shop scrap ... shown on the left.





Which required slightly different rails ...



Now it should be a lot easier to keep the fuel arrangement where I want it for a more effective burn. I think I'm looking at the effect an insulated firebox/cooker has on the required fire to attain a desired temp ... ?

Tomorrow - he gets new firebox gates ... should make his adjustable baffles a lot more effective - I hope ...

[Frank_Cox]

Nice job on the basket Rick!

[Gizmo]

Thanks Frank!

[maccas66]

Rick, that is exactly what I`ve been working on, I have put a mesh baffle in my fire basket to contain the fire better and for when I put more wood in, it is held where all the heat is and doesn`t just roll out of the fire.
Do you think that we sometimes labour under the idea that the fire should fill the fire box making it harder to control when just a small fire will do the trick and maybe the size of the firebox is just to be a reseivour ( Saturday spelling) of heat?

[Gizmo]

I think you're absolutely right mac! I always start a new cooker on a very small fire and bring it up slow over several tries and a whole weekend or 2 or that's what it takes ... sort of sneak up on it. Or maybe I'm just cheap and I want to know how little of a fuel bill I can get away with and still get supper done on time...

I think that once a guy gets to know a particular rig he can about tell how big a fire it takes to be correct. THEN make the basket that size. Rolling out of the fire is avoided if the fire basket is nearly full all the time - AND it's the correct size.

Edgar is my first insulated smoker so I'm still learning.

Now watch, we'll have a record cold winter and I'll have problems in January at 4 degrees outside... BUT I kept the old basket just in case...

[gatewood iron]

Well I've been inspired once again.This is one fine rig you got here.

[Gizmo]

Thanks GI!

[Gizmo]

Finishing up Edgar's updates today. The addition of a couple of 2" round holes in the firebox lid made a big difference in the CC temp without touching the fire. So I enlarged those holes on either side of the main opening and diffusor plate. There's a sheet of newspaper under it so hopefully you can see the openings better.



Installed a left ...



... and a right spring-loaded gate door over each opening with an actuator arm.



Installed on the firebox and ready to put the top back on where I'll connect these doors to the adjustable baffle controls.



This should make the controls more effective at making the cooker different temps from end to end and make the whole CC temp more adjustable without changing the fire or draft much. During a cook I should be able to move the temp up and down in just a few minutes to adjust for different cooks on the same fire. Cook it while it's hot!

... or I'm just wasting .023 wire again ... hard to tell yet ...

[Gizmo]

This is the fire box lid/gate installed, connected and closed...



... open a ittle...



Full open... You can see the expanded steel of the fire basket through the openings.



Gee I hope this works...

Find out tomorrow...

[maccas66]

WOW!, are you the guy that invented the game mouse trap?.................Nice work Rick!...

[Gizmo]

Thanks mac!

[SmokinFF]

Lookin good Rick. You never cease to amaze me!!!

[SMOKIN JAY]

thats cool

[Rodcrafter]

That is very nice Rick. If I ever move out of this silly condo, I would love to make one like that for my house.
This is how I made my fire box basket adjustable.

The piece in the center is removable or just movable to any of the gaps in the bottom rack.

[Gizmo]

Thanks guys!

That's a great idea Rodcrafter and I'm not being critical or nothin' but DANG! ... am I really looking at solid 3/4 inch bar stock?

[Rodcrafter]

Yes Rick, I know it is very heavy, but I will not have to replace it. The bottom, sides and the adjuster are all 3/4" square.

I know I'm a nut! Now you do too.

[Gizmo]

hahaha

You're right about not replacing it - in fact people will be buying tickets to see it in a fossil museum about 3000 years from now!

"Junior back when your great great granddad was a kid they built things to LAST!" ....

[Rodcrafter]

[Frank_Cox]

How did your mods work Rick?

[Gizmo]

It maxed out at about a 60 degree temp difference from end to end. Plenty to get the job done....

[TuscaloosaQ]

Just saw all of this today ....WoW!!!!!! That is bad to tha bone Rick!!!!!!!!!!!!!