VX-3 PROTOTYPE BY BATES FEEDBACK

Joe Bryant · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 183

Thanks Steve. That's really helpful.

One last question and I'll stop bugging you.

What gauge steel did you use and how thick is the insulation?

Thanks.

J

bates · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 99 Location: humble, tx

1/8th plate everywhere except the firebox its all 1/4 steel box inside of box 3in of isulation on top and 2 inches on the sides
i used 1.5 creamic k-wool density 6 insulatin rated at 2800 degrees

steve(bates)

Joe Bryant · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 183

Thanks Steve. Keep up the great work.

J

zilla · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

I saw this pit over the weekend and let me tell you all It's really really nice and I LOVE the color. Great job Steve. I also had to admire the blue Pit Tom and Mary were cooking on, the roof/storage system is very slick. Especially how the struts were mounted. Top notch engineering right there!
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Zilla

GIANT BBQ

bates · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 99 Location: humble, tx

hey zilla, thanxs for the kind words
steve(bates)
lonestarcustompits.com

BBQMAN · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

Awesome description of a very innovative design Steve.

Thanks for sharing!
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

Tater_68 · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

Another great looking cooker. I really like the green where did you get high temp green?
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Don�t worry too much about it. Just do all you can do and let the rough end drag.

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WSM

camdentom · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

Thom Emery · BBQ Fan Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 340 Location: Indio Ca

Nice set up Brother
Kinda like running multiple Backwoods or Spicewines
What kinda burn times do you get?
Can you sleep?
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Thom Emery
Past President California BBQ Association
www.BBQThom.com

Joe Bryant · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 183

Steve and Tom,

If this is something you'd rather not share, no problem. But how are you directing and controlling heat to each chamber?

From the first post, it looks like you've got pipes coming out of the firebox, one to each chamber.

Is the heat control just basically a damper on each pipe?

Edit to add: I'm guessing the pipes are different diameters right? Wouldn't the pipe for the chamber furthest away have to be narrower diameter than the pipe for the chamber closest so they'd draw somewhat the same? In other words, if the pipes are like "chimneys", do you have to compensate and try to make the "chimney volume" roughly the same? I'd think without that, the longest pipe would draw most of the smoke / heat. But then again, maybe I'm thinking wrong...

Again, if that's something you'd rather not share, no worries. I was just interested in how you were heating the different chambers.

J

bates · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 99 Location: humble, tx

hey joe, if i told you how i did it i would have to kill you,
just kidding, there is pipes running from the firebox to each chamber
i ran them in a way to help the flow and come into the each chamber directly in the middle, lots of thinking went into it to each chamber to flow the same
steve(bates)
lonestarcustompits.com

Joe Bryant · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 183

Thanks Steve.

J

mattycamp · Posted: May 15 2008 Post subject:

Well, I was sold on the model when I saw it two months ago, but that green paint pushes it over the top. Awesome job, Steve.
_________________
Matt
24x96 Lone Star Custom by Bates

Txngent · Posted: May 15 2008 Post subject:

This pit is no longer a concept, it is just a matter of production as needed. This unit will give you maximum use of every internal inch of cook space. All racks are same size from top to bottom, left, center, and right chambers. You have flexibility with movement from rack to rack. You also get great space for hang smoking, such as sausage or Paul Kirk style cooking.

Added options like a bat wing style roof system, storage, and work areas would make this one hell of a war wagon at comps and catering events.

Good show Steve and Tom!
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Randy
Under Construction
Cyborg Cookers - TGCBCA

Joe Bryant · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 183

Hey Tom and Steve,

I may have missed it but what are the dimensions for the cooking chamber and the firebox?

It's 4 grates per chamber, right? What are the grate dimensions?

Do you have any pricing on it yet?

Again, great job. This is very close to what I've been kicking around in my head in what I want in a cooker. The flexibility is a big thing for me. I want to be able to cook for 300 every so often but the reality is that most of the time it'll be more like cooking for 30. I think with this rig, you could do both. Cook with all 3 or close off 2 and cook with 1. Am I thinking right there?

Nice work.

J

bates · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 99 Location: humble, tx

yes you are correct, all 3 or just 1 or 2,
it has as many as 5 shelves as the very top one is for hanging meat
the ones we are gonna put in production will have all the same size shelves aprox 24x24 or even bigger 30x30 if desired, the doors can open anyway you want , all the same direction or like i have there, lots of flexibility there and even different choice of colors to match your fav sports team
tom is working on the pricing so feel free to give him a call, there are so many things i could do with this setup that it is unreal
steve(bates)
lonestarcustompits.com

Joe Bryant · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 183

Thanks Steve.

Would you guys by chance have one of these in Memphis In May this weekend? I've been thinking of maybe making the trip over.

J

Doc1680 · Posted: May 15 2008 Post subject:

Top notch! Very innovative design.
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Love the voodoo that Q do.

Doc

Big Ron · Posted: May 15 2008 Post subject:

Nice pit and awsome design!
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