Stumper repairs required

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:30 pm

QO, I have been really sorry with the pictures. I will get them up when I can catch a breath.

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:39 pm

Well I finally got some time and started to finish up on the repair. I changed my mind and didn't make it removable. Welded her up solid. I figure when it burns thru next time it will be time to build a completely new one. At the fire area I doubled the thickness--2 pieces 1/4" welded together so that is now 1/2". The fire/ash box is 1/4" and will last a lifetime. It was not the problem. I am going to install the heat deflector right above the "heat snout" and then I am going to build a pan to place on the bottom shelf (which hardly got used anyway) to catch the grease. I did not make a "positive drain" in the cooker, so I have to catch the grease and dispose manually. If I need the shelf, I will place the pan below the inclined diffuser to catch the grease.

Here is the new fire/ash box in place and I have the double thickness on the left side, with the right side and front facing going on tomorrow.

This is a view of the "snout" which is sticking into the cooking chamber about 5". This should help to eliminate the hot spot right above the opening.

The heat deflector is going to be 2 ply with an air space between to help prevent the grease that may hit it from burning. Now I have to find a couple of pieces of high heat insulation to fill in around the repair. Then get a sheet to "bolt on" the outer skin. This is going to be removable to make an inspection easier. Then get cooking again.

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:54 pm

Glad to see some progress! You must be in Stumper withdrawal by now.

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:57 pm

he'll be able to get us off his back about the gasser as well.

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:58 pm

Well it wasn't bad when I just had one on my back, but can you imagine carrying Barry, Morley and Jim W. I need my chiropractor just thinking about it.

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:19 pm

I am very suprised to see the heat "damage" on the inside of the oven. I mean you don't run a fan, the cooking chamber is of regular size and no other external forces to create such a heat pattern. It didn't create any problems, but good idea to put the snout out there a ways. As SStory says, carry on.

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:05 pm

There was no "damage" on the inside of the cooking chamber, but you can see where the heat has been fanning out on the cooker wall all around the heat opening. This should help to dissipate the heat better.

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:08 pm

Good lookin fix Jim .. Soon it'll be time to fire it back up..

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:35 pm

smokinJim wrote:

There was no "damage" on the inside of the cooking chamber

I put the word "damage" in quotes because i could not think of another word to describe what i saw. I did not mean to imply that further repairs were necessary, but that the heat had left quite a mark. That is why i used another sentence to qualify the quoted word damage, to make sure the reader would read that there were no other circumstances that would contribute to the visual, that you pointed out Shocked

.

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:59 pm

Now it should be perfectly clear to everyone that reads it, right? Thanks Jet.

Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 7:44 am

Jim, is that the angle for your bottom shelf that I see in the pic right about the "snout"?

The double layer of grease deflector will be good -- it will help keep the radiant heat from making the bottom shelf so hot and it will also keep the drippings/droppings from burning onto the grease deflector so it makes cleanup much easier.

Looking good so far. And yes, carry on.

Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 2:18 pm

Jim, how hot do you run your clone? The metal skin on the inside looks like it has been run up pretty high in temps.
I have a heavy plate ( 7" wide X 16" long X 3/8" thick) that rests on top of the fire inlet entering the cooking chamber and a leg with an additional thinner plate( 3/16") that rests on the bottom set of angles. The heavy plate carries the heat into the cooking chamber as it is tilted up and away from the inlet to the tune of 1/2". Your wider cooker will benefit from the two plates you are installing.

Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 7:03 pm

Hey smokinJim, I'd like to say sorry for the tone that i took with you on my reply. You have done nothing but be helpful and answer many PM's during my build. You deserve better. I just couldn't think of another word.

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 4:37 pm

No problem Jet, no offense taken.

Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 4:54 pm

Got a bit more done today. Had to install angle iron frame around the fire/ash box.

Now I have to stuff with insulation and then install the exterior sheeting. Am going to use a piece of 1/8" steel to give it some "body" and it will be screwed on to allow easier removal for damage inspection later.

Here is a view of the fire grate in place.