Little Deuce Chute

Bedlam BBQ · Posted: Aug 18 2010 Post subject:

D. great build! How long of a burn can you get from a chute load? What wood chunks were you using with the lump?

In my Stump clone, I use lump and I prefer to use large chunks (4-5" diameter) of wood for smoke (I prefer a mix of apple and hickory).

As for the clogs in the ash grate, what size spacing do you have? What type of lump were you using? If I use RO, I don't get any clogs. But if I use that new Kingsford Competition, the binding material makes an almost concrete type substance due to the moisture created in the chute from the burning fuel. This stuff clogs up the gaps in the grate really fast (especially if I shut down the ball valve after a cook to conserve any unburned fuel).

Now you need a weed burner from Harbor Tools (if you don't already have one) to light the smoker -- just load the chute and then put the weed burner through the ashbox door to light the fuel from under the grate.

If you have an Ace Hardware around you, they have that fireplace gasket material - that's where I got my first stuff. You'll have to change the gaskets out every couple of years because they'll get hard over time.
_________________
Steve

Stumper clone with Stoker
Bedlam BBQ
Competition Team

Tim_Abrahamson · Posted: Aug 18 2010 Post subject:

I wish I could have seen the look on the postman's face when he opened it up to put in the mail and inside was a brisket!
_________________
BBQ is like sex...
Even when its bad its still pretty good!
...besides, when is the last time you turned down BBQ?

Oklahoma Joe Longhorn
Big Green Egg
Former Pitmaster Gates and Sons BBQ (KC)

mrcustomsteel · Posted: Aug 18 2010 Post subject:

SStory, I'm getting around 12hrs per chute load. I'm using broken pecan branches and pecan "hockey pucks" my father brings me from TX tossed in the chute with the lump.

For the ash grate I'm using 1/2" round bar spaced 3/8" apart.

I dump a lit chimney down the chute then fill on top with lump right out of the bag. I have not been sorting the lump by size but maybe I should be using smaller pieces to prevent bridging. I do need to get one of those weed burners. They're just too much fun not to have one.

Tim, so that's who stole my brisket!
_________________
D. Tillery
Texan transplanted in Billings, MT
www.mrcustomsteel.com

Bedlam BBQ · Posted: Aug 18 2010 Post subject:

D. -- getting 12 hours is great on a chute load. What size is that chute? My original chute was 5"x5" and I had bridges all the time using lump (I wasn't breaking the pieces up). I had a burnout in the chute after about 6 months, but I also use a Stoker which creates a forge affect in the chute. On the rebuild, went back with 8"x8" chute with last 12" of the chute being SS. I don't have any bridges anymore and I'm not seeing any signs of burnout, but I have warped the SS to the point that the bottom now has a gap where it meets the frame --- this is allowing heat to enter the frame area of the smoker where the insulation is (I'll be fixing this soon).

That gapping on the ash grate sounds a little tight. In your spare time you might want to create another one and gap it closer to 3/4" (I'd have to go back and check, but I thought I gapped mine with 1" between bars).

Weed burners are fun -- and great way to clean the racks after a cook also or light your buddy's cigar from 10' away.
_________________
Steve

Stumper clone with Stoker
Bedlam BBQ
Competition Team

mrcustomsteel · Posted: Aug 19 2010 Post subject:

Steve, The chute is 6"x8" x1/4" wall. That cambro is so small so it does not take much to keep it around 250. I have heard about burning out the Stumps. I think a lot of guys are going with 3/8" or 1/2" on the bottom. I can see how feeding it with a Guru could really burn one out quickly.

I keep looking for a bigger insulated box but I keep thinking when I have it out smoking an eating brisket at a comp, mainly for conversation purposes, someone will make me an offer on it for the chute since the hard part is done.
_________________
D. Tillery
Texan transplanted in Billings, MT
www.mrcustomsteel.com

RayD · Posted: Dec 09 2010 Post subject:

Wow that is awesome!
Never would have thought of that.

Had a great meeting with Dr. Martin yesterday, looks like we will be having some fun together.
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Greetings from The Anchormen, Rhode Islands Original BBQ Competiton Team

Crusty · Joined: 11 May 2010 Posts: 16

I love this things, in fact I saw it yesterday and bought an old airplane oven today to make my own: http://bit.ly/eF7QDO

I'm just thinking out loud, but do you think if you make the height of the smoking chamber adjustable: with the top pipe attached to the smoking chamber, sliding over one attached to the firebox, you have a another way of controlling temperature?