Adding a warmer/holder to my cooker trailer pics added 1/3

[whall]

I am not sure of how I am going to do it yet but I am wanting to build the box big enough to hold 8 to 10 full pans maybe more. I would rather make it bigger than I think I might need so if i do need extra room I will have it.

I thought I would use the heat from the main chamber of my cooker like most are set up, or maybe consider a second firebox or propane setup since it will be somewhat large.

I would like to be able to use it as an extra cooking chamber if needed also.

Something just occurred to me if I am planning on making it that big I should just make it into somewhat of a cabinet style cooker. And maybe a propane burner for when it is used for holding.

Ok now I don't know what to do im so confused


Anyways I thought I would throw that out there to see what yall thought about it.

[k.a.m.]

I am figuring your warmer would need to be about 28" deep x 24" wide x 42" tall for ten pans. This is two placed sideways on five grates.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[whall]

Thanks for the info k.a.m. I decided I would set it up to be a cooker too if the need arises.

Does your estimate allow for air flow around the pans if I were to cook something in two full pans on one rack. Sorry I have done any measuring myself yet.

I might just make it an even 30x30x42 I'm not sure yet. I am in the process of building another firebox for my cooker now since it is so thin. I thought while I was working on that, I would build the second cooking/warming chamber. It will take me a little longer to build both but I would have less down time when I do cut the old fire box out

[k.a.m.]

The dimensions are somewhat over sized whall. An aluminum steam tray pan measures 12" 3/4" wide x 20" 3/4" long x 3" 3/8" deep.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[whall]

Thanks k.a.m.

I wasn't doubting your dimensions, I use those pans all the time but just never measured them.

I set two pans side by side and measured them and you were right, I never should have doubted you

Anyways, since it's was raining yesterday I went and got the steel for the main chamber and the angle for the shelf slides. I was going to use 1/4" plate but where I get my metal they couldn't cut it because their shear was dull. I thought I would save a little weight and go with 3/16" they said they could cut that. It's hard to believe that a 1/16th makes that much difference.

I have another question for you, I was wanting to use expanded metal on the shelves. I'm not sure how it is sized as far as what they call it. What do you normally use?

[k.a.m.]

I used the same as I do on my cooking grates. #9 x 3/4" flat expanded.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[whall]

Thanks k.a.m. sorry for such a late reply

The stone business has had me working from daylight to dark but I have made some progress on the build. I have the box welded up and have my slides tacked in. I will take some pics and add them when I get a chance.

I have a couple ideas that I wanted to get your opinion and anyone else who wants to throw in their 2 cents

First, I thought about making my racks out of stainless steel, but I was wondering if the price difference is worth it in the long run?

Next, I also thought about just using stainless expanded on top of the frames. I have some welding wire that will make the stainless "stick" to the mild steel.

Next, I am making the fire box separate with about 2" gap between the two (2" square tube around the base of the cooking/warming chamber flush with the outside). I was thinking about using a piece of 6" ID pipe to connect the two and have diffuser plate maybe 3/8" or 1/2" thick to help with heat loss from opening the door.

Lastly, any thoughts on the smoke stack? I was thinking maybe a 3-4" ID pipe, not sure how long, with a damper on top.

[k.a.m.]

[whall]

I might price the stainless just for fun and possibly a good scare

Yes, the chamber is the dimensions you suggested i will take your advice on the firebox opening and make it 8" x 8"

As far as the exhaust I will see what I can find laying around. I have some left over steel plate that I could make a square one with

[whall]

I went and bought the rest of the steel I needed to finish my cooker/warmer last week. At least I think I got everything

I promised some pics last time so here are a few pics:

I have the rack frames welded up and the screen on a couple of them I went with the 1/2" expanded and I am regreting it. It is not as sturdy as I was hoping but I can just add a few more supports I guess.



I also welded the 2" square tube around the base of the cook chamber:



I used my dads 220 buzz box (Lincoln AC stick welder) to weld on the tubing. I have to say that Im proud of how the welds turned out Me and the buzz box have not seen eye to eye in the past

Close up of the weld(s):





I am getting it done slowly but surely I will try to take more pics as I go

[Smokin Mike]

Looking pretty good whall, Your welds put mine to shame, that's for sure. I like the way your addition is coming along.
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My current cookers: 80 gallon vertical tank
The Ultimate New Braunfels Makeover

[k.a.m.]

Looking good there whall. Looks like you got the old Lincoln playing nice.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[whall]

Smokin Mike, thanks for the complement.

Between welding on my cookers and people saying "I didn't know you could weld. Can you weld something for me?" I have had a lot of practice to say the least

As far as your welds, as long as they hold it doesn't matter what they look like. When I first started I think the only thing holding the welds together was the slag

I have had some beautiful looking welds that cracked down the middle, still haven't figured that one out yet maybe something to do with not enough heat in the weld or cooling too fast.

Who knows? I sure don't !

k.a.m., Thanks, I ended up with a much better result than the last time I tried to use it.

Since I started using my mig I have learned what to look for and have a much better understanding of what's actually going on while welding. The best way I can explain it is "controlled chaos"

I actually enjoyed using the stick welder the last time, we will have to wait and see what happens the next time though

[whall]

I made a little more progress today

I got all 5 of the racks finished up:



I also got most of the fire box built and mounted. I left the bottom off until I decide how i want to do the door





I also got the firebox to cook chamber opening welded in on the firebox side. I made it an 8" x 8" square out of some left over 1/4" plate I had



It is slowly coming together, I will try to remember to take and add more pics as the build progresses

[wango]

Looks great so far whall, looking forward to more pics

[whall]

I have another update on the build I got the door cut out, the trim tacked on it and put the shaft in for the latch





I also added trim on the inside of the box to make a better seal (hopefully)



I also added the frame around the bottom to add the legs and added some braces because this thing is HEAVY

I also finished welding up the fire box







I still have to weld around the opening in the cook chamber, cut the hole for the smoke stack, and do some adjusting on the door.

The major work is done the biggest thing left is to get it cleaned up and painted, then let the smoke roll!

[whall]

I thought I would give an update on my progress since it has been a couple weeks.



I got drafts cut out and added, I added the handle to the cook chamber, added two temp gauges, added two draw hasps, and added the damper on the top of the firebox/cook chamber opening.


Here is a close up of one of the drafts, you screw it in and out to adjust



This pic shows the drain and the pipe for the propane burner and you can see the two drafts on the this side



Here is a pic of the test I did on the burner I made



I did a test burn today to make sure that I had enough airflow, I think it did pretty well

This was the bottom therm:



This was the top therm:



And the smoke coming out the top:



Ok, it was burning clean with very little smoke but it was there I promise

Some of these pics look too big, but I resized them in photobucket before adding them. It says they are within the requirements so I guess we will see. . .

[SoEzzy]

[wango]

Looks great whall! Can't wait to see her smokin'!

[whall]

Thanks SoEzzy I just wanted to make sure they were the right size, they looked huge on my computer but they look ok now so I don't know what was going on

Thanks wango, I thought about painting it before I do my first cook in it but I can't make any promises