First cook on my home-build smoker - pic added 7/12 10:30pm

strick1869 · Last edited by strick1869 on Jul 13 2008; edited 2 times in total

I have my pit almost done, no paint, no chrome, but the firebox and cooking chamber are ready to GO!!!

I have 17 pounds of Butts and 3 racks of BB's sitting in some rub right now. I plan on firing up the smoker about midnight tonight and giving it a shot!

I have put so much effort into this pit over that last 8 months it feels so nice to actually see if I can cook on her....

Once I get pics loaded I would like to get some of your opinions on the smoker setup (good or bad) because its not too late to change most of it.

Anyway - more to come - should have pics this evening of the meat prep and smoker - then cook in progress later.

Thanks,
Brian

jferger · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 43 Location: Kansas City

Congrats and good luck! Can't wait to see some pics.

Have fun.

JF
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strick1869 · Posted: Jul 12 2008 Post subject: pics of smoker before fire started

Here is the meat and my partially completed smoker -

List of items missing:
1)floor
2) 2 wood boxes
3) side panels for right side of trailer
4) sandblast and paint
5) fenders
6) steps for left side of smoker

I have to be ready by 5pm Saturday - so I am planning on starting about 10pm tonight and cook till the foods done - If done early great - if not then I have plenty of time to kick up the heat and finish.

I am starting so early because other than 2 long burn-ins for flavor I have no idea if I will be able to maintain 225-250 well enough.

I will have more updates later...

stejvg · Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 54 Location: wilm. De.

As i sit here drinking my r & c my face just hit the key board that piece is going to be freekin awesome. Does the cowboy shoot anybody which dares to come near??
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mutha chicken bbq · Posted: Jul 12 2008 Post subject:

tonyg · BBQ Pro Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 628

Nice!
Nothing like eating food from a rig you built yourself..
How did the food turn out?

tony

Jeff_From_VA · BBQ Pro Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 720

strick1869 · Posted: Jul 12 2008 Post subject: funny

I actually include a pic of my son because his birthday party is the excuse I am using to break the smoker in... Not sure if I care to much for an all-nighter all by myself but its going good so far.

A bit of info: I put the butts on at 11pm and it is now 2am - the internal temps of the butts right now is about 120-140 degrees. I am struggling right now just trying to find an accurate temp. The cheapo temp sensors I have on the doors show a temp of about 200-210 but 2 oven thermometers I have inside show about 235-245. I finally drilled a hole in the top of the smoker and slid another therm in to get a 3rd opinion.

Does 120-140 after 3 hours sound like its moving too fast?

coal miner · Posted: Jul 12 2008 Post subject:

Looking good Strick.The shelf space will come in very handy. I like the way you fabbed up the burner surface for the propane cooker.I think your temps are just fine. They might be a little fast , but if you foil they will be fine either way. A lot of times you hit 170 to 180 ,it takes some extra time to get it over the hump to 200 for the butts. If things get done early you can always hold them in a cooler. You have the same problem I have when taking the camera outside in 95% humidity.

Jeff_From_VA · BBQ Pro Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 720

mrcustomsteel · Posted: Jul 12 2008 Post subject:

Yeah, nice rig. Really efficient use of the boat trailer. Everything really fits nicely. I always like the family pics on here.
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strick1869 · Posted: Jul 13 2008 Post subject:

Well everyone is gone now - and the party is over. I was stressing the outcome of this Q just because I had no idea how to work the cooker yet. However, overall I think the meat turned out well. Most everyone at the party seemed to love it!

Below are some pics of the outcome.

strick1869 · Posted: Jul 13 2008 Post subject: GREAT!

ceedubya · Posted: Jul 13 2008 Post subject:

WOW!

Nice looking food, and awesome lookin cooker Very Happy

Do you have any build pics and info??
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Tarpon65 · Posted: Jul 13 2008 Post subject:

Nice job on the smoker and food. Can get a little tense doing your first cook,with a new smoker, for a group of people.
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Starvaque · Posted: Jul 13 2008 Post subject:

That's truly an awe-inspiring sight-- both the smoker and the food!
Do you plan on doing parties and events with the new rig?

kzt7t7 · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2008 Posts: 61 Location: Central IL

Food looks great, so does the smoker, good job! The shelves look lonely with only a couple of foiled ribs, the smoker is screaming for more meat! Very Happy

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strick1869 · Posted: Jul 14 2008 Post subject:

Starvaque · Posted: Jul 14 2008 Post subject:

k.a.m. · Posted: Jul 14 2008 Post subject:

The rig is coming along great strick, I like the layout and it looks like it cooks up some mighty fine Que as well. That was a nice looking spread. Smile