VX-3 PROTOTYPE BY BATES FEEDBACK

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

well i was looking for some feedback and what better place to go than to the guys and girls who know what there talking about, as most of you know since lonestar has formed a company that i have been working for them it has allowed me to get back to what i love doing and thats building and designing smokers, here is one that i have wanted to do for a while and i did my first test fire last night with amazing results, but as with every prototype there cliches to work out but nothing major, i feel it performed very well and im really excited about the whole desighn

it is based off a vertical design but with a offset firebox,
it has 3 seperate verticals wich are all fully insulated and has three seperate controls for each compartment, much like having 3 verticals but only having one heat source, a fully insulated firebox that is desighned to be a stick burner as well as charcoal/lump,

what i was shooting for and i believe i achieved it was to be able to all 3 of the main catogories in a cook-off at three different temps and only have to tend one fire

here are some very rough pics and if the dont show up go to http://www.batespitts.com/vx3.html

steve (bates)
281-540-9935
bates@lonestarcustompits.com
www.lonestarcustompits.com

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mds2 · Posted: Feb 27 2008 Post subject:

I think that this is a wonderful idea.

The only thing i dont care for is how the exhaust looks, but the concept is awesome.
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bates · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 99 Location: humble, tx

yes i had several different ideas about the exhaust , but i needed the longer draw for the box farthest from the firebox , plus i also have plans of putting a roof on it
steve bates
www.lonestarcustompits.com

istock74 · BBQ Pro Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 965 Location: Logan, IA

I think first of all that your pits are fantastic! I think If I ever buy a professionally built pit, you will be the first person I call. I also think that this knew prototype, for me anyway, only adds to the sentiment I already expressed. I have seen a lot of nice cookers on here since joining this site and those of yours that I have seen rank right near the top. I will say that the exhaust system does not do too much for me, however that is a small detail, and I almost feel nitpicky saying it.
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BBQMAN · Posted: Feb 27 2008 Post subject:

Slick idea, and nice work (as usual) Steve!

Do you have any more pics? Inside, outside, firebox details?
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SoEzzy · Posted: Feb 27 2008 Post subject:

[edited by SoEzzy] Just to make the pictures work on Steve's post! [/edited]
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bates · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2005 Posts: 99 Location: humble, tx

bbq man, im running some more test fires and i will be posting some more pics over the next few weeks, and thanxs for the kind words

istock , its hard to believe that you being a roundy round guy as well as i am that you wouldnt appreciate them stacks, it kind of remoinds me of a hot wheels car lol

soezzy thanxs for fixing the pics,

steve bates
www.lonestarcustompits.com

BBQMAN · Posted: Feb 27 2008 Post subject:

Steve, thanks so much for joining us here, and sharing your creations! Very Happy

I thought the stacks looked cool as well, I'm sure you plan on extending them upward.

Reminded me of headers, or a pipe organ set up!
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smokinit · Posted: Feb 27 2008 Post subject:

Nice!!!! I love new toys and the ability to cook at three different temps would be great for us caterers. Put that on a covered trailer with your sink setup and all the other goodies would make me seriously look at it in the future.
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Bayou Black Iron · BBQ Fan Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 114

Cool

...we'll be waiting for additional pics and some results of your test burns!
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mrcustomsteel · Posted: Feb 28 2008 Post subject:

Nice. It looks like you and Travis have the same muse.
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Travis_Creek · Posted: Feb 29 2008 Post subject:

Looks like this year is square! Bates glad to see you posting. Hope everything is going well for you. I think the stacks are pretty cool.
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camdentom · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

Well, the VX3 prototype made it's first public appearance this weekend at the Texas Gulf Coast BBQ Cookers Association Invitational Cookoff. Lots of good feed back from the other cookers. We didn't actually cook on it but we did test fire it and had some pretty exciting results. We were able to run all three chambers at the same temp and we could run them all at distinctly different temps. Once up to temp, it was extremely efficient on heat retention and fuel consumption. The only negative at all was that it was a little slow getting up to temp. Steve is working on tweaking that issue. Later this week we'll fire it up with some spare ribs inside to find out just how well it cooks.

Reggae Q · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

Well, I think the test burns you're doing are going to be biased since it's you and Tom. I think you should drive that thing my way and give it to me Very Happy

Pretty cool.

How big is that firebox? It looks 30x30x30

Interesting color

Chrome stacks would look nice

Are you changing your intake design or just on this style?

BBQMAN · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

Fine looking pit Tom and Steve.

Tom, I'm broke and could only afford a small measly 21" computer monitor. I do love the pics, could you please post more in the 640x480 range! Wink

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Smokin' Don · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

I like the color. Man just think a big "G" in the front of that rig I could see myself pulling that to a Packers game!

Another job well done guys!

Smoke On!
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Lone Star Back Yard Clone

camdentom · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

Hey Justin, I'm on my way up to your house to get an impartial test(ya,right) It's actually a 24" firebox.

Sorry Mike, I didn't realize the pics were quite that big.

You're right Don, that pit would look pretty sweet in the parking lot a Lambeau Field (while the Vikings are kicking Packer butt Very Happy

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Smokin' Joes Catering · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

thats very nice is it insulated?
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smokinit · Posted: May 13 2008 Post subject:

Sa weet love the color!!
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Joe Bryant · BBQ Fan Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 183

Hi Steve and Tom,

Great looking pit, thanks for posting. Workmanship is top notch.

Couple of dumb questions if you don't mind:

#1. What specifically were you going for or trying to accomplish with this design?

#2. Can you talk a little about insulation and any pros / cons you think it gives you here on this design and if it's much different than your more traditional style horizontal offsets?

#3. Do you have a rule of thumb for firebox size? Seems most of your pits lean toward a larger firebox.

#4. On the firebox door, there is a rectangular piece of flat stock next to the latch. What is that for?

Sorry for so many questions. You guys obviously have things dialed in and we appreciate your willingness to share and help here. Thanks a lot.

J