THE ULTIMATE STUMPER CLONE

BBQ Nut Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 162 : Items

And so it begins (again).
After completing a rather LARGE Stumps clone - 6 racks 24 X 36", and listening to the Duchess bag at me about the large black thing on the back patio.. I have decided design and build a smaller Stumps type clone.
I have cooked on and enjoyed my clone for several months, and would not trade the experience for all the world. However, I must acknowledge that it is a little large for single family use. Dinner parties are now for no less than 30 folks ( after all... if it is lit you may as well put as much in asyou can) and the patio is only so big.
So......
My intention is to design(with your help) and build the ULTIMATE Stumps clone. This project will incorporate every brilliant innovation your fertile imaginations can generate ( and which make sense ).
Tapered coal chutes... pellet or wood chunk feeders... convection fans.. WHATEVER you can inagine that would make this the best ever Stumps clone.
I have my own vision of what this should look like, but really want to incorporate the best ideas from everyone who chooses to participate.
I will get it built, but here is the deal.... EVERTHING.... discussions re concepts... criticisms.... wacky ideas...experiences ...will be shared on this thread. NO private messages allowed. All public discussion for the benefit of all.
My only criteria... Be constructive.
My commitment to you...... plans.
I will have plans drawn, and available to all forum members. Requirement to get a set of plans will be to make a donation to a charity of your choice. Prove you made a donation, and I will send you plans at no charge via e mail.
I promised Jim I would start a stimulating and interesting thread.
Here it is.......
Mutts

Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 11:21 pm

Well Don, I think that is a very good beginning. I like the plans for a donation idea. Wish I had thought of something like that. Good for you. So when do you expect to start building or at least start drawing? How big of a cooker are you looking at. I know you only want a capacity for 30-50 people, but what I want to know is just how big are you planning on going?

As per Don's wishes, I would like to remind everyone that I will remove any message that does not fit his criteria. I may not remove it from the forum, only move it to another area.

Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 11:39 pm

Are you planning on incorporating a "Stoker" on the "U/C"? The one thing I would make sure of in the size, is that you would be able to put at least 2 restaurant pans at each level. So then the chamber would have to be at least 21" x 24". I think a minimum of 4 usable shelves. Also a pair of shelf supports right near the top of the chamber so a custom rack for hanging sausage could be placed. Shelf supports placed closer together so a number of different space configurations can be used--ie: maybe 3" increments. Also some custom rib racks that would replace a shelf. Well that is a start for you Don.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 7:23 am

Don, I have to agree with you about the size of our first clones. I guess I too thought bigger would be better. I'm just about done and this thing has grown into a beast. I will probably make another one soon --- but much smaller since most of the time I'm just cooking for me and the little mrs.

The big one will be great for comps and cooking for larger groups (once I get it finished).

For the small one, I'm sure you are already aware of some of the things such as a positive sloped drain and use as thin of material as you can to help with weight. I'd also suggest to go ahead and build it on 4 wheels to make it portable.

I also have a suggestion about your big clone on the back patio -- I cleared out part of the flower bed next to our patio and put down some large paving stones. So now I have a cowboy kitchen for the smoker and the grill -- which makes the little mrs very happy that the patio is clear of any cooking appliances.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 8:03 am

Don this is my last cooker build and I have to say it is so far the best it is 20 ins x 20ins x 4ft high and you will never have that much of a crowd at home at one time that you won't be able to feed them and it is nice and neet this is just my input.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 8:08 am

smokinJim wrote:

Shelf supports placed closer together so a number of different space configurations can be used--ie: maybe 3" increments. Also some custom rib racks that would replace a shelf. Well that is a start for you Don.

This is what I would recommend. On my clone I have 6 racks spaced 4" apart. I am going to add more supports so that they are 2" apart.

I found 4" will work for most butts but it is a little tight, but If i have supports every 2" I could utilize the space a lot better.

I try to think of more ideas.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 10:28 am

if you incorporate the stoker, plan a space to mount and protect from the elements(rain, cold). This sounds like a great project, and the donation idea is great.
I agree with Barry that the size of his last build it good, however, the gravity feed should be able to reduce the height or use the bottom for some good self contained storage. Try get it on some mobile base that is easy to move around and maybe lighten the weight with a lighter gauge metal (i do like stainless however or could you chrome it?) on the outside, maybe rivet instead of weld on the outside skin (it can look pretty cool too). I would also suggest stainless shelves as I find they are much easier to clean.

One other thing, would it be useful to try and make it longer and shorter? Might give you a very differnt use and only need a couple of shelves.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 1:32 pm

Are you wanting a small cooker like a Backwoods patio size or something larger??

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 1:48 pm

BrianA59 wrote:

Are you wanting a small cooker like a Backwoods patio size or something larger??

That's more of the size I'm going to try and build next -- but with a wide chute to hold enough lump for a long cook.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 5:46 pm

If your chute is too big at the bottom, the fire will be too hot for a small cooker using coals. A samll cooker may not need a large coal capacity for a long cook if it's efficient enough.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 8:43 pm

I agree with Brian Steve; making one Patio sized insulated will need very little charcoal to burn long. I used to have a Stump's CB222 which was a 20x20 with only 2 shelves; you could smoke ribs with a little over a handful of charcoal with that thing. Maybe make the chute taller than the cooker somehow but I doubt you'll need it.

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 8:52 pm

That's a good idea Boggs, about making the chute slightly higher than the actual cabinet. That extra would serve 2 purposes, longer burn times and no possibility of water leakage into the chute in a rainfall.

BBQ Nut Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 162 : Items

Anyone think this may work for a convection fan????
<http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx?c=1&p=50246&cat=4,104,53209>
Mutts

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 10:04 pm

mutts wrote:

Anyone think this may work for a convection fan????
<http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx?c=1&p=50246&cat=4,104,53209>
Mutts

NO

Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 10:04 pm

Myself, I don't think it would work. But what do I know? I think getting a convection fan from an electric convection oven would probably be the best.