I finished out the little vertical first. The bottom was tapered funnelling down into the smoke opening so that the drippings would would find their way out and down the back side into the cooker onto the drain. Two sliding dampers were installed to regulate the heat and smoke and close it off all together when not in use. The main smoker got the attention next and four 25" x 25''ish slide out grates were installed along with a 2" drain and tuning plates located 5 1/2" below grate height. The cabinet was framed with 1/4" angle 1" below center putting the first grate hgt on center.
The smoker doors were fabbed up by scoring the edges and breaking them with my little screw press. The broke edges were welded and shaped for a seamless appearance.
I located some 1/4" plates with a 45 cut into them at my local " We buy scrap". I figured on removing the angled cuts but decided I liked the look and left them intact for the firebox sides.
I love this build Mike and still amazes me with your $hit house luck on the beer buy. I have yet to luck into that kind of deal. This is one of my favorite builds of yours and as I always say...Mad FN Skills Bro
As the cooker started taking shape, Mr Visitor stopped in once again and announced he wanted the cooker. Originally planned as backyarder with legs, he asked if it could become a mobile rig. Yessir, it would be more than happy to cruise along at 70 mph on it's way to a party, comp, feasttogether. She was now on his dime, let the fun begin. Mr New Owner had a small bucket list...A place for a couple of coolers, a dual burner propane setup for beans and chili, a spice rack for the beans / chili, a lockable storage of some sort, a prep area, the obligatory wood bin, and lastly...it's gotta look sharp. Seemed pretty basic to me, can do. A design was sketched up and time to go mobile.
While I have called upon my good bud k.a.m. from time to time on cooker related reality checks, the trailer and myself wanted a few blessings for the 70+ mph duties. Another good bud had the mojo for this type of action, TrailerBuilder was buzzed up. " Lights bro! It's gotta have cool lights." The UPS guy was honking his horn at the front gate a few days later. The cooker was pulled from the shop in a less than gracious but workable manner to make room for the trailer frame.
With the trailer built, it was time to dress it up. ( Sorry guys, no trailer build pics, I developed tunnel vision and spaced this portion of events). Not being of any legal means to get it to a blaster, I had the blaster come to my place for a white metal blast.
Several coats of Rustoleum Satin Black was applied. Jeep style fenders were attached to mounting brackets fabbed up from 1" sq tubing. The L.E.D. lights were tucked into the TrailerBuilder supplied light boxes that were blended into steps for a smooth transition to the fenders. The wiring was run thru the frame that was fabbed to include this routing, and exits just behind the coupler thru a clear flexible pvc tube tail. A propane bottle rack was located on the front "A" section with the connection hose run on the underside and secured with one hole conduit clamps. The far end of the propane hose is attached to a store bought dual burner ass'y housed in a small tread plate shrouded cubby for protection from the wind and other elements and separate it from other activities that would be going on. A small spice holder was attached to the backside of the little vert for easy access to the burner cook area. The front "A" section also included a pivoting Bulldog jack that tucked in nicely between the frame rails. Rather than decking the trailer with plate, since this would not include any walk on space, the underside was decked with 3/4 #9 expanded metal that would allow for easy cleanup, car wash style. The front consists of a storage area for dual 120 Qt coolers with multiple strap down attachments on one side. A custom ordered 3/4" thk white cutting board blank is housed 1/8" below surface of a lockable storage bin on the other. The cutting board / prep table was attached to the bin with countersunk SS tek screws and a bead of clear silicone was applied to the seam for a seal to contain the meat prep juices while performing the prep duties. The lockable storage is wrapped on 3 sides with ex metal with tread plate doors on the 4'th front side. A one off slide lock ass'y was fabbed up on the doors to keep the semi valuables safe when unattended. For a final bit of pizzazz, chrome cool handles were installed on all cooker access doors and sets on a pair of chrome rims held up by the 3500# axle and springs. It was a fun build guys, thanks Troy and Kevin for your help and support when called upon.
Last edited by Wreckless on February 22nd, 2012, 8:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
Thank you to all who stopped by for a kudo. I'm among a talented crowd here.
rlmax02...Thanks, I'm hoping it was a Shiner Bock buy myself.
Frank_Cox...Fine praise from the SmokerBuilder himself, Thank you.
smokeone...Thanks, the stuff and ideas are why i go to the pub. ;)
maccas66...Thank you, the after hours thinking can produce cool stuff or...
dcman... Thanks and wow, too cool.
TrailerBuilder ...Thank You! Your resources and assistance was priceless. And...as I always say...Ride along shotgun anytime bro.
Post note...Yup, it is a top loaded FB with a drop in grill grate. Yeah, it does have heat loss when in use but invaluable when the little ones come hollering for some proper food in the way of some quick burgers and dogs. I use the top load almost entirely as well for adding fuel once the FB is flamin'. Fun Build!
Dang Wreckless! - very impressive - cool build.
It's obvious you know what you're doing...
What is the finish on the grates? They look light gray on my puter...
And on the eighth day God created barbecue …. because he DOES love us and he wants us to be happy.
Current smokers: Egor (trailered RF) and Easybake (tabletop pellet drive)
Right on Rick, thank you. The grate finish was just bare metal from the white metal blast. I didn't mean to get them blasted but while I was snoozin' for a few they got done. Kind of a waste of $$ but did look cool right up until the pit seasoning.
Kinda what I thought - Oh well - pit seasoning will rust proof 'em for sure
And on the eighth day God created barbecue …. because he DOES love us and he wants us to be happy.
Current smokers: Egor (trailered RF) and Easybake (tabletop pellet drive)