The Texas BBQ Forum

This is a Jambo.

Exhaust end.

Thanks [mention]k.a.m. [/mention] ,
Going by that design, there wouldn’t be any tuning plates (nothing to tune...)

Mmm more to think about..

Thanks for the photos...
:)

A


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Hi all..

Got a bonus day today to get some more done on the smoker..

With [mention]hogaboomer [/mention] questioning my small chimney (and I too wasn’t overly convinced with such a small volume / smoke capacity)

I have decided to remove it.. going to go with a 100mm square chimney (close to being similar in area comps to 4” tube) and to push it higher up the side wall, closer to the top edge..

So with this new trajectory, I had to fill in some time.. so knocked up :
* small foldable shelf (outside smoker)
* 1” square tube handle
* cooker wooden handle
* welded lots of seams.. grinded down all the edges..


Hopefully I will be able to get some more time on it and also be able to buy more stuff before we go into lockdown (rumours indicating we may..)



Thanks

Andrew


Total Hours - 30h
Total Cost $ 940AUD


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Good choice, that should work better. I tried putting a restrictor plate in my oversized 9 inch pipe smoke stack, just a plate I had laying around with a 5-1/2 inch circle cut out of the middle. This morning I lit the fire and too much smoke was coming out the firebox door, so I pulled that plate out right away. I just had it jammed in there for testing, maybe I'll make the hole bigger, maybe just leave it out altogether. This thing cooks pretty nice with that gigantic stack.
I jast saw your total cost so far, whew!!! Stuff is expensive down under! Looking good, though.

Haha..
Yeah, considering we dig the stuff out of the ground.. steel should be cheaper! Ha

Plus I have had to buy it in smaller quantities (as I go, compared to a huge big order) but I’m having fun learning and fabricating..

Still going to be cheaper than buying a decent offset here.. (yoders are about 2-3k)

As long as I finish up with something which cooks decent food, I’ll be happy, as so will my wife!

Then again, I’ve spent ~$940 AUD so comes to about $650USD..
Not too bad...


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Hi all,

After finally getting another few hours to work on this pit, I’m slowly getting somewhere!!
(Might get it finished by Christmas!) haha

Installed the new ‘larger’ chimney with collector 100mm square tube (4” sq)

Currently sitting installed at about 450mm (17.5”) abit longer than on the calculator, but trimmable down to probable length ~15” if its not flowing properly..




Also got onto the second skin of the firebox + some insulation added (only 1/2” gap.. might not make much difference, but worth a crack)






Including the twin FB air intakes 75mm x 50mm (3”x2”)


Next to do is the finish the FB main door.. (with insulation)

Grind all the v.poor welds.. (I should really stick to my real job..! Haha)

Then continue on with the full list..

* cut the uprights to support FB from the base trolley.
* install tuning plate supports & angled baffle (to direct smoke down)
* build/design a chimney cover/baffle
* install main cook grate supports
* design and install top cook grate
* weld everything and grind everything.
* paint and add gaskets

Debating in my mind how to ‘lighten’ the cook box lid.. (either counter weight or a few industrial springs to reduce the weight as it closes down)



Thanks for reading

Andrew


Total Hours - 36h
Total Cost $ 1,050AUD


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Good on ya Mate. Coming along. KAM is a builder too and can help.

Am +1 on the oversized firebox. You’ll never regret too much capacity, but will curse it to Hades if you don’t have enough.

And looks like you have an Autocad program. Envy!

Amazing project. I applaud you efforts.
Very nice write-up of the build.

Looking great Sir.
I am a fan of mechanical weights and door stops. I like to build a sampson post and use a pulley and cable. But fixed weights work too and are less labor intense. Getting the weight right is the tricky part as you really only want about 10% to 15% of the door weight on the weight. It is an assist not a lifter.

Hi all

Thanks for looking at this build thread.. and it’s been a while between drinks, but I can finally add some more..

Since the last post, our region have been put into lockdown stage 4 .. thanks C19.. so been struggling to find time to weld (kids at home) but got a few hours onto it lately...


Here we go..

Got the outer skin finished on the firebox, and got the door mounted..

Then the upright supports for FB and then welded the FB to the cook chamber! (And finally got some nice welds between the two.. practice makes decent..)




I tested the chimney draw with a small paper fire (and the smoke exits via chimney) so happy with that..
* I’ll test again with some cake sparklers (they seem to produce a lot of smoke when used on birthday cakes..)

Next on the list..
* tidy up welds
* change steering handle
* build a overhead door counterweight
(^ look into installing some springs too)
* install baffles and grate holders
* tweak up grates to fit

But in all, really happy with the current build.. could have been faster, but ah well..


Thanks for reading

Andrew


Total Hours - 41h
Total Cost $ 1,150AUD


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Looks great

Hi all,

We are still in Iso over here in Melbourne (Australia), and still in Stage 4 lockdown.. So being so, have had some time to work on the pit.. (our ski trip had to be cancelled, so have a couple of days off work!)

Here is the latest update:

Got the grates sorted (Weber Genesis Series 3) and the relevant slider.




Set up the cook baffles and mounting tracks




Put on a little chimney cover.




Set up the rotisserie option (bracket attaches next to FB end.. (no photos of that)

Installed a couple of probe holes. (Can just see them next to the chimney smoke collector - in next photo)


Oh, and created the overhead counterweight .. (which is removable- locked in with clips) just need to add some more weight to get it just right..





I tested the smoke processing, again lit a small paper fire, smoke came out via the chimney.. ! YAY!




Next up on the list todo:

Upper cook grate
FB handle
Cook chamber coal basket (for rotisserie option)
Need to sort the drain pipe/plug for the fat..

Keep cleaning up the welds..
Clean up/burn in / maybe some Hi Temp paint.

So, in all, getting there.. hopefully a few more full days should get me over the line..

Thanks for reading.. !

Andrew


Total Hours - 47h
Total Cost $ 1,155AUD


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Hi all,

I got a another decent crack at this pit today.. slowing winning!

Got a few main components added today..

Too Grates & runners
(Had to learn Stainless Arc welding.. pretty average)




Firebox handle & Firebox air intake / cover



Other bits and pieces..

Rotisserie option still will work (with the top grate runners installed) so happy with that!




On the final few laps now..
Need to:
get some pipe for the fat drain
tidy up a few welds
Grind a lot of unsightly welds...

Give it a good clean up.. and spark it up proper..

Ah, the fun..

Have a good weekend and stay safe with the wild weather/C19..

Andrew


Total Hours - 52h
Total Cost $ 1,155AUD


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Hi all..

It’s been a while since my last post...

Over that time, I’ve finally finished the build, completed a few tests (working out the baffle plates)




Getting to stay within about 20F each side of cook chamber..

I was going to test with some cheap pork/lamb.. but got convinced to give a brisket a go.. (crazy peer group pressure!!)




Got it up to temp, put the meat on..
wrapped in paper at about 160F
Took out of cooker at around 202F





Didn’t turn out too bad.. have some ideas on what to change for the next cook..

Otherwise, life is pretty sweet...

Andrew


Total hours build : 60h

Total cost : $1250 AUD (~$940USD)


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