BBQ smoker in the works

[mmelton005]

I've been wanting to do this for a while. I like the styles that you guys have created but i also like the UDS (ugly drum smoker) style. Google it if you haven't heard of it. seems like a cool setup

 

[My Old Tools]

Ross, this is the Garage Journal. Not the Home shopping network. We build things! May have been cheaper to buy it. But, now what sounds better. I bought this or I built this?

Ok just poking a little. I did check out your uncle's web site. Very Nice Looking Rigs!!!

Have a great day!

Capt. Chrysler

Captain, we did build them . The features he has perfected could be used in a home unit, in fact I intend to. The automatic damper is a solenoid and a Robert Shaw thermostat to open and close the firebox damper to hold a constant temperature for 24 hours. The wood usage is minimal, 12 hour runs on 3 sticks is common. The fireboxes are all lined with refractory mud so they never burn out. By the way, these are still built one at a time in a 4 man shop.

 

[ZRX61]

Looks good. I am building one just like it because of this thread. The inside of my compressor tank had a fair amount of rust. I cleaned it off w/ a wire wheel. Is there any further surface prep I need to do on the inside of the cook chamber? How did you prep yours?

If it's basically clean, just paint it with cooking oil & crank up the fire to season it like an iron skillet.

 

[bad_idea]

Cool. Start your build yet ZRX61?

 

[ZRX61]

First thing I need to do it get my hands on one of the engine cans. I should be able to get the owner of the two in the pics to part with them, failing that, there's a scrap yard between me & Edwards AFB

 

[BTG]

I'm trying to get hold of a couple of engine cans for Lycoming T53's (Huey engines) as they appear to be the perfect size for a smoker, albeit a rather large one. I could replace my three smaller ones with just one bigger one.
There's two sitting across the road at the college, but I haven't be able to persuade the right people to part with them yet. I need to get over there with a tape & get the actual dimensions.

ZRX61: Here is a pic of the grill/smoker that my Dad (ex-Aircraft mechanic/inspector/instructor/DME) built a few years ago using an engine can he picked up from a contact at Rolls-Royce. I think they were used for Allison 250's, but not sure...took a few years of asking and finally got a call they they were to be scrapped and come get one.

Awesome grill/smoker, and is very mobile using a modified HF trailer. It would need to be a tad longer for a large pig, but we do suckling pigs on it with no problem.

 

[ZRX61]

Nice! Is the firebox big enough for that size of smoke chamber?

 

[BTG]

No complaints after about 6 years of use. We probably smoke 3-4 times a year, and use of for grilling 2-3 times. I wish the can was about a foot longer to get a full-size pig in, but we don't do whole pigs that often.

Here is a couple shots of it grilling a few pork chops at our family reunion last summer- we towed it to Lake Michigan (about 200 miles). We also used it to smoke pulled pork for about 150 persons at my wedding last year. Hungry yet?