I finally nabbed myself a Ranch Kettle. Not a mothership but HUGE nonetheless!! I had no idea, I have never seen one in person. So with everyone here posting all they're resto's and fancy paint jobs,
@SteveZ, (love that freakin badge) I got off work early so I could get started cleaning the Behemoth. I looked at it and thought, oh shit, this is going to be fun. Seriously though, it took all of about 30 minutes of razor blade work.. Bowl is in great shape. Dampers spin, a little tight but I'm going to take the lowers off and replace bolts and nuts. Frame is probably the worst part, fair amount of rusting happening and paint peeling..This summer it will be taken apart and blasted and powder coated. So, without further ramblings, heres the beginning... Oh yeah, for giggles I took everything I scraped off and put it in a baggie, weighed it and there was a pound and a half of crap that I scraped off, YUK!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/varekai/albums/72157677595653162
Well that thing sure cleaned up really nice! Glad you picked it up and gave it a loving home. Wow 1.5lbs, that weighs more than my daughter (7months old). Keep us posted on the first fire.
@Vwbuggin64 It did clean up good. I was not looking forward to it...lol. Still work to do, one of the front wheels is busted, lower dampers need removed, cleaned and new bolts. Some lid rim dings need to be straightened out and treated but overall, very happy with it!!!
Wow very nice, great job on the clean up!!!
#Beast!
Good looking Ranch!
Great job man! I can't wait to see the first cook on that sucker. Congrats!!
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Awesome man! Lot of real estate!
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That's a beast! You did a grate job cleaning it up! What kinda shape is the cooking grate in?
Nice job!
Get ready for some big cooks Darin. Maybe it can make an appearance at this year's West Coast WKC get together?
Awesome pickup. The first thing I did after cleanup I bought some SS nuts and bolts per
@Heyjude advice.
That cleaned up nicely!!!! I love that you weighed the crud you scraped out of it!!! These things are way bigger in person aren't they?!!! I've seen plenty of pictures that give a good perspective but pictures just don't do it justice!
Thanks guys, This is pretty exciting...
@hawgheaven , grates are in good shape, THANK GOODNESS..LOL
@Cellar2ful , I will definitely bring it, just say when!
@argentflame , old hardware looked worse than it really was, but still, I'm replacing everything with SS.
@MikeRocksTheRed , SOOO much bigger in person... (i'm now looking for an engine hoist to make it easier to lift the lid)...lol
So I added some new pics from todays cleaning. I went ahead and just removed the bowl so I could wash the whole thing without worrying about working around the frame. I was going to change all the hardware anyways. I replaced the 2 front casters, 1 was busted..got the build-up off of the lid bail, it looks better now. This is fun, you guys are a HUGE part of this, seeing some of the restos you all do, I have to stay focused and finish it, SOOO tempted to say fuck it and throw some hot dogs on that thing..LOL.... IN DUE TIME!!!
SO, a couple questions, its still generally "taken apart"... What I'm wondering is should I deal with frame paint issues NOW, maybe a sander, prime and repaint, or wait till summer, disassemble then and have powdercoated? I have no issue taking it apart in the summer, its actually easy to tear down...Thanks Guys!!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/varekai/albums/72157677595653162/with/31767967353/
If you know you are gonna have it powder coated anyway then I would just do a quick sand and touch up to hold you down till the summer. The meat won't care if there's some nominal rust.
Nice clean up work. It looks great! Just treat it with some rust inhibitor spray for now, If you want to wait till the summer to work on the frames.
I am going to leave it disassembled for now and take the frames to a local powder coater for an estimate...
I love the pic of your mini weber lid on it!!!!! Made me think of a new use for my Ranch when I'm not cooking on it. It would make a great table for serving up food!
Awesome. Welcome to the club!
Quote from: MikeRocksTheRed on January 29, 2017, 12:20:11 PM
I love the pic of your mini weber lid on it!!!!! Made me think of a new use for my Ranch when I'm not cooking on it. It would make a great table for serving up food!
and you just gave ME a great idea, I could make a top for mine and use as my DINING ROOM table...and it would be kept inside when not in use!
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Quote from: varekai on January 29, 2017, 01:49:00 PM
Quote from: MikeRocksTheRed on January 29, 2017, 12:20:11 PM
I love the pic of your mini weber lid on it!!!!! Made me think of a new use for my Ranch when I'm not cooking on it. It would make a great table for serving up food!
and you just gave ME a great idea, I could make a top for mine and use as my DINING ROOM table...and it would be kept inside when not in use!
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A dining room table with a lid!!!!! Would be a great way to keep the table from collecting junk in between meals!!!!
A dining room table with a lid!!!!! Would be a great way to keep the table from collecting junk in between meals!!!!
@MikeRocksTheRed , RIGHT, lid on, no place to put the bills but the trash...LOL
So I just went to the powder coaters to get an estimate, not sure what I was thinking it would cost, but for $45 I left it there it'll be done by the end of the week!!!!
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Quote from: varekai on January 30, 2017, 08:21:23 AM
So I just went to the powder coaters to get an estimate, not sure what I was thinking it would cost, but for $45 I left it there it'll be done by the end of the week!!!!
Sounds like a great decision to me. I would have guessed it would have cost more. Great job so far and I'm looking forward to seeing the results!
Quote from: varekai on January 30, 2017, 08:21:23 AM
So I just went to the powder coaters to get an estimate, not sure what I was thinking it would cost, but for $45 I left it there it'll be done by the end of the week!!!!
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That seems like a great deal to me. I would have guessed it would cost more, but I've never had anything powder coated.
Quote from: varekai on January 30, 2017, 08:21:23 AM
So I just went to the powder coaters to get an estimate, not sure what I was thinking it would cost, but for $45 I left it there it'll be done by the end of the week!!!!
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Ha, I would have done the same. I know you'll keep us updated. 8)
yesterday I did some cleaning on the grill grate, It was gross! Waiting on some cleaning pads that I ordered to get the heavy crud off....can't wait for the end of the week! Frame will be just like new! I would have paid $150 to have it powder coated, so glad I didn't wait to get the estimate. When he said $45 I was ecstatic, We went into the office to do the paperwork and he told his receptionist to write it up and it was $45, I said make it $50 since you guys are on it so fast... He was a little shocked, look on his face was interesting...LOL That is all for now. except now im headed over to Amazon to buy an A-mazen tube smoker (
@MikeRocksTheRed fault for trying to smoke butter) I will use it for salt also.
@varekai - Peer pressure is contagious here! You got a ranch, so I went and got a ranch...I got a amaz-n-tube smoker now you are getting one. I guess its my turn to follow you next!
Question is which cold smoker, I'm on amazon looking at the tube and the maze.. and now I'm reading troys review on the kettle page... decisions decisions...
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Quote from: varekai on January 30, 2017, 08:15:34 PM
Question is which cold smoker, I'm on amazon looking at the tube and the maze.. and now I'm reading troys review on the kettle page... decisions decisions...
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I'd probably go the maze route if I had to redo my purchase. The tube kind of spills pellets out of the end when you lay it down in the grill. The maze lets you smoke a lot longer if you needed to. I like my tube though because it burns for about 6 hours which is how long I like to do my cheese. When there isn't anymore smoke coming out of the grill, the cheese is done.
Also, do you have a torch or something like that for lighting the pellets. They can be a bit tricky to light. I ended up getting alcohol gel which works really good. I've since been gifted a looftlighter that works even better, but would be an expensive purchase just for lighting some wood pellets!
I was leaning toward the maze, and was also going to ask about using gel starter.. ok, decision made... I'll let you know what your next purchase is when I figure it out!...LOL
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@varekai - I get using amazon to save money on shipping and get a quick delivery time, but you might want to email Owens BBQ tomorrow if you are going to need pellets too. They sell both and usually ship with flat rate boxes, so you can ask them what they can cram into one box. They offer some sampler packs of pellets so you don't have to buy larger bags as you are figuring out what you like and don't like. Tell them I sent you and they'll throw in a copy of a bill I still haven't paid them on!!!! LMAO! That last part is not true at all!
The last part, OH NO IM SURE IT NOT TRUE!!
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I have to figure out who did the powdercoating. I have some VW parts that need it. Sounds like its coming along great.
Get the expandable one Darin.... Then get the tray as well ;D
The tube gives you more smoke, but a shorter burn time. The tray gives less smoke but burns for 12hrs+
@Vwbuggin64 , It was Powder coating USA here in paso... 237-8886
@Darko , I was looking at the expandable but decided on the tray maze.
You'll love it! It's a great product. It's pretty much all I use when I smoke cheese.
@Darko , I think I will too.. I'm not a big cheese fan but I want to try smoking some salt and maybe butter, depending on how it turned out for mike. But also as supplemental smoke... cant wait to try it.
IMO, if you would like supplemental smoke, get a tube., It does better on a grill with heat already coming from the charcoal.
I got my frame from the powder coaters this morning, Damn it was hard staying at work all day. It looks great, put it together AS SOON as I got home. It was too dark for pics. I ordered white walls from Uncle al. The guy I had hoped could buff out the light scratches said no go... Oh well, battle scars. Tomorrow or this weekend I will get the lid back together, I took the handles and damper off 1) to clean 2) to make it easier for the body guy to try and buff. I can't wait till it all comes together!! Oh yea, my A-Mazen smoke plate came today. Gonna try doing some salt and some cheese (i'll give it away) always fun to get a new toy! Will get new pics up soon.
the A-maze-N cold smoker is awesome. I can't recommend it enough. I'm not really sure what the tube smoker is better at, other than taking up less space.
Quote from: varekai on January 31, 2017, 08:00:53 PM
@Darko , I think I will too.. I'm not a big cheese fan but I want to try smoking some salt and maybe butter, depending on how it turned out for mike. But also as supplemental smoke... cant wait to try it.
One thing to keep in mind for supplemental smoke is that too much smoke can affect your fire. I tried adding my tube to my 26er when I did some wings using my vortex. I out the tube on the coal grate next to the vortex. I wasn't able to get the high temps I usually can and it was due to too much smoke choking out the coals in the vortex. As soon as I remove the tube the grill took a couple of minutes and was back up to the normal high temps I expect from my vortex.
Quote from: varekai on January 31, 2017, 06:57:04 PM
@Vwbuggin64 , It was Powder coating USA here in paso... 237-8886
@Darko , I was looking at the expandable but decided on the tray maze.
Sweet thanks! Love the progress btw
An important thing to remember is also some of the methods we use. Mike makes the point of using the tube while he was doing some wings. In that situation, I wouldn't use a tube. I'd put a chunk of wood near, but not over the direct heat.
When I smoke cheese, I do it with the maze and smoke for 10-12 hrs, then let it rest and do it again. This gives me a nice smoke flavour that I like, but it isn't overpowering. Mind you when I do this the temperature is near freezing. In April or May, once the temp is warmer I do a shorter smoke like 4 -6 hrs and that cheese I need to let rest for a few weeks before it's tasty. That's when I use the tube.
Thanks everyone, I got post it notes ALL over my desk... need to start a folder for this wealth of information...You guys are truly helpful! unless your info makes me buy something, which is pretty much always..LOL
Finally got the Ranch back together, I LOVE IT!! frame came out awesome at a great price (1 of my SS performers might be next), all the hardware was replaced with SS, whitewalls from Uncle Al are in the mail, dampers are still needing to be finished. Overall, I've had a blast. AGAIN, you guys are great motivators!! Now to chose which kettle is the next to get some attention.. I'm thinking the Cheif!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/varekai/albums/72157677595653162/with/32335738630/
Wow! That looks great.
That looks incredible! Great job man!!
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Thanks Guys, It was a blast cleaning it up!
Wow, amazing transformation on this one. The powder coating looks great.
what did you use to clean it with? did you buff and Polish it or just wipe clean?
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@LiquidOcelot , I just used dawn dish soap and 0000 steel wool to clean the outside of lid and bowl. The inside of the bowl I used a razor blade, well, several razor blades. Inside lid, just a light wire brushing to remove the flaking stuff. The frame I had powder coated, so they sand blasted it. The bail, axle and lower dampers 400 wet/dry sand paper, steel wool and Mothers mag and aluminum polish. Whitewalls from Uncle Al. I'm making a jig so I can make my own maple handles... This was a lot of fun! The grates were in really good condition, Thank Goodness, thems is expensive to replace, LOL