Weber Kettle Club Forums
Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: saxart on November 26, 2013, 03:15:11 AM
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OK, if you're 'of weak stomach' you're going to want to skip this post. Don't read this...Just put your man-card down and click on another topic. Nice knowing ya! ::)
Still with us? Good....
I'm going to run you through the build of my Mini-SJ smoker. (Moderators: if this post is in the wrong location, please feel free to move it.)
The build starts out relatively simple. I purchased a Vasconia pot (after returning the IMUSA to Wal-Mart due to a horrible fit) and found this used SJ on Craigslist this summer. The grill was in my home-town, right on my way home from work and cost a whopping $5. (I didn't get any 'before' pics of the Vasconia pot, but I think you get the idea.)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJ.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJ.jpg.html)
First order of business was to prepare the SJ for it's new color. (Yes, that's right... "Mu, hu, ha, ha, ha.....!) The handle and top damper were removed
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJLidwithnovent.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJLidwithnovent.jpg.html)
Take a deep breath, as this is where things get spooky... The legs and ash-pan were then removed from the bowl and both pieces were run through a sandblaster cabinet.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Sandblasted.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Sandblasted.jpg.html)
The original thought was to remove all of the porcelain and take it down to bare steel, but as it was it took me 40-minutes just to "scuff up" the surface of the original shiny porcelain finish. This produced a nice rough finish that would be great for paint to stick to, yet still be protected from rust. Keep in mind this entire situation is nothing more than an giant experiment. Would sandblasting a Weber ruin it? Would the paint stick to this surface? The only way to find out is to try it, and what better test-subject than a $5 SJ. Yes, some would say that the grill is ruined. I prefer to say that it donated it's life to science so that other Webers may live a better life.
Moving on... The SJ was then given a coat of VHT's "Flame Proof" white primer. (I'm sorry if some of these pics are bad. Some of them were taken on a cell phone in poor lighting)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJLidPrimer.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJLidPrimer.jpg.html)
Here are both pieces in primer drying in the kitchen because it was 27 degrees out the night I painted this. BTW... The wife was NOT PLEASED that this move FILLED the entire house with paint fumes. I told her she would have to deal with it as I was a mad-scientist right in the middle of his best experiment yet! (OK fine... I'm a very lucky guy with a VERY forgiving wife!)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJLidandBowlinprimer.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJLidandBowlinprimer.jpg.html)
Next we turn our attention to the Vasconia pot. I had found a thread online where someone cut 'legs' into the bottom hole to hold up a steel cake pan as a diffuser. I like the simplicity of that design, so that is how it was cut with the thought that it could later be changed if it didn't work out. Here is the pot marked for cutting.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Potmarked.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Potmarked.jpg.html)
The hole is cut...
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PotCut.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PotCut.jpg.html)
And the cake-pan is test fitted. The 'legs' fit perfectly under the lip of the pan, holding it in place
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PotwithPaninstalled.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PotwithPaninstalled.jpg.html)
It's such a tight fit that you can carefully turn the pot upside down and the pan will stay in place. Here is the bottom view. (Again, sorry for the bad cell phone pics)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PotBottom.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PotBottom.jpg.html)
The 1/4" holes for the cooking grate support bolts and the thermometer mount were then drilled. The pot was given a weak vinegar wash to remove any oxidization, sprayed with primer and then it was time to start throwing some paint! The entire works was going to get coated in VHT's "Caliper Paint" in a bright red color. If you've never used this paint, I have to say that this is a GREAT paint. It covers well, had the perfect tint, and is rated to 900 degrees.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJPainted.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJPainted.jpg.html)
I like the fact that this paint needs to be 'cured' in a 200 degree oven for an hour. Here is the pot taking it's turn. (Again, my wife is VERY patient with me!)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PotCured.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PotCured.jpg.html)
Then the SJ got it's turn in the tanning booth...
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJCuring.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/SJCuring.jpg.html)
For some reason my cell phone kept turning this nice deep-red color into a light shade of pinkish-red. It is not a pinkish-red as you'll later see in some better pics taken with a real camera.
Next I welded up a charcoal basket out of some extra expanded metal that was here from another project.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/CharcoalBasket.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/CharcoalBasket.jpg.html)
Then mounted up the hardware. Here is the cooking grate bolts with fiber washers. (Just like a real WSM!)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/FiberWasher.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/FiberWasher.jpg.html)
I had found this Thermometer on clearance at a local small-town hardware store. $4... Not bad!
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Therm.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Therm.jpg.html)
Since there is no mounting threads on this therm, I used a tool I had from another project that puts threaded inserts into metal similar to how a pop-rivet gun works. The therm just slides into this insert, but I lucked out and the size fits the diameter of the thermometer rod exactly, so it slides in with a friction fit. (In this pic you can see the REAL shade of this red paint.)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/ThermSocket.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/ThermSocket.jpg.html)
Enough babbling... Time for some better pics of the finished project.
Here is the inside with cooking grate:
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/InsideDone.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/InsideDone.jpg.html)
And the outside view:
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Poser1.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Poser1.jpg.html)
As you can see, I also painted the original SJ handle with Krylon "Fusion" plastic paint. This pic probably shows the color in it's truest shade:
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PoserOneHalf.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/PoserOneHalf.jpg.html)
In summary, we all know how coveted the RED SJs are. This was a fun project and somewhat of an experiment. Will it the paint stick? Only time will tell... I can tell you that this paint is really great stuff and has formed a hard porcelain-like finish. My guess is that it will be just fine. The project allowed me to finally get my "RED" SJ and build a fun project at the same time.
Thanks for listening! :o
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Holy crap Art, great job on that build!
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That's awesome!
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Great how to thread. It turned out very nice cosmetically. I'm anxious to see how that paint holds up or if it gets any discoloration, or turns a different hue when heated, and goes back to the original color. Thanks for posting!
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I'm really interested to see how the paint hold up too.
Nicely done. The red makes it look like a Brinkman ECB.
NTTAWWT!
Happy Thanksgiving neighbor!
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Looks great Art! Hopefully under heat it darkens like the old Red Kettles. Get a cook on that bad boy!
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That really turned out nice! I have painted a few grills myself and yeah, it stinks up the kitchen.
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THANKS Art.
I am not the biggest fanatic of these SJ mods, but your is top notch. Keep us updated on how the paint holds up. I am always skeptical under heavy use.
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Superb! My black VHT painted mini is holding up really well. Looking forward to more data. :)
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oooo....I think I see my next project...great work!
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That looks very sweet! I hope it works as good as it looks!
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BEAUTIFUL! That might be the only way I get a red sj. Great job!!
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Looks fantastic. Can't wait to hear how well the paint holds up and then some pics of the food you cooked on it.
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That's really cool, Sax! Maybe it will even turn two tone when you fire it up. I'd like to add this to the technical reference doc if thats OK with you.
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Nice!
Love your work.
Sent from another Galaxy using Mental Telepathy
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Ok that was pretty sick. If the paint doesn't hold up, I'm gonna build a looker just like it but in an R2D2 theme and just keep it displayed in te kitchen.
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Thanks for the idea!
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I sprayed an SJG and IMUSA pot (back when they fit well) with the same red caliper paint but that is all I did - no sandblasting, no primer, no 200F curing.
The paint on the bottom of the SJG has come off - looks kinds like a beatup black SJG bottom. The top which I only use for my mini looks GOOD. The IMUSA pot has some problems on the lower area (where it gets hottest.
I recently got a Vasconia pot which I will wash with dilute vinegar, prime, paint and cure at 200F - My SJG bottom - I think I will sand (what grit?), prime, paint and cure it in hopes of getting a more fireproof red color.
Perhaps I shall steal the three leg/cake pan diffuser idea - if I want thermal mass, I can always put a terracotta pan on the cake pan. 8)
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Thanks for all of the great comments guys. It was a fun project, and I'm happy with the way it turned out.
I think we're going to do some chicken in it (foul usually seems to like a higher temp to keep from getting rubber skin) so if there is chance of the paint failing, maybe that will do it. I'll try to run it through it's paces! I could see where the paint would slough off of a glossy finished porcelain bowl or lid. Hopefully the sandblasting and primer makes the difference here. It doesn't seem to have that normal "it was painted over a glossy finish so it breaks off with your fingernail" feel that things like this can, so I do have confidence that it will work.
I'd like to add this to the technical reference doc if thats OK with you.
PB-
I'm not what content in this could really be considered "reference material" but either way I'd be honored at that! :P
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That looks incredible! Very nice work! Mini red bullet!
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it's beautiful.
it's front page material.
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Perfection, superb workmanship.
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I too cut the bottom of my pot out with legs and a cake pan.
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/mini-wsm-is-taking-shape/ (http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/mini-wsm-is-taking-shape/)
I like yours a lot and that paint should hold up well if you are only using it to smoke.
Temps won't be as high that way.
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I too cut the bottom of my pot out with legs and a cake pan.
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/mini-wsm-is-taking-shape/ (http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/mini-wsm-is-taking-shape/)
I like yours a lot and that paint should hold up well if you are only using it to smoke.
Temps won't be as high that way.
Rick-
Thanks for posting. I forgot to mention that the "legs" idea was a total rip-off from your original post. It works well, and I can't wait to see how it cooks. I agree that the paint "should" hold up seeing as this thing will only be used for smoking. The only question mark is on the lower-bowl, because that piece should see some higher temps even when smoking.
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That looks magnificent! Like others, I can't wait to see how the paint holds up after time! Keep up the great work!
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Beautiful mini build. These are still fun to build and allows you to showcase your creativity.
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Well, I thought I would give everyone an update on how the Red Mini is holding up...
E-P-I-C F-A-I-L!!!!
It seems as though the little voice in my head was right. This cooker has had 3 cooks on it, and as you can see, the paint on the hotter bowl area is trashed from the heat.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Burnt1.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Burnt1.jpg.html)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Burnt3.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Burnt3.jpg.html)
It's been relatively cool here with highs in the lower single digits, so all of the cooks on it have been done with the bottom damper fully open, creating LOTS of heat in the lower bowl area.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Burnt2.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Burnt2.jpg.html)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Burnt4.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Red%20SJ%20Mini%20Smoker/Burnt4.jpg.html)
I can tell you that all was not lost. This is a great little cooker. Last weekend we were grilling steaks for a family member's birthday, and my wife goes, "Will you P-L-E-A-S-E make us one of those yummy smoked chickens in your little red smoker???"
It was a fun project, and is a great cooker. I may gift it to a family member over the holidays to spread the grill-fella love. This paint holds up well to physical abuse, but just cannot handle the heat, so I would not recommend painting the bowl with this (VHT Caliper) paint.
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sorry-but when I see stuff like this I just shake my head.
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Would a better primer help?
Sent from another Galaxy using Mental Telepathy
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Welp, that sucks.
That thing looked awesome.
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sorry-but when I see stuff like this I just shake my head.
Can you give me a better suggestion for how to paint my SJ bottom? 8)
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How has the paint held up over the years? 8)
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How has the paint held up over the years? 8)
THIS
also, thanks for bumping. I got to drool over the build all over again.
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Agree, Somehow I missed the original post. I have a spare sj sitting around that this gives me lots of ideas for.
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Wow. I never saw this post either. Awesome job and write up. The after shots looks like this grill came red from the factory. Since it was a black SJ and not some rare color I see no problem at all with what you did here.
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If you look back a page, the bottom didn't hold up. Not sure of the rest of the setup.
Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk
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How has the paint held up over the years? 8)
Holy thread revival!
Rich- Take a look at page 2 of this thread. (middle of the way down) The paint failed after just a few cooks. My guess is that the pot, although cut out on the bottom, holds enough heat in the bowl that it gets super heated and the paint just can't handle THAT kind of heat.
I do have to say that this paint seems to be very high quality with a nice gloss and hard finish, but this was probably taking it way out of it's intended temp range. The pot and lid, for the most part, held up fine, it was the bowl that was trashed.
I ended up respraying the bowl, then gave it to my brother in law, who had been asking for a smoker for Christmas. I warned him about the fact that the paint would probably just come off again, but he was still thrilled. It was a fun project and well worth it. I haven't seen it since gifting it away, but I'm guessing it looks similar now to what it did when the paint first burned off.
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I remember this one.
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On my mini WSM, the bottom bowl gets way hotter than on any of my kettles. Freakin' heat just gets trapped, despite the steamer pot/cook area staying much cooler. But that's with a clay dish that cracked soon after implementation. It's been in semi-retirement since then, awaiting a pizza pan or some such diffuser.
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I use the steamer insert that came with my IMUSA as the defuser. Not sure if you can order them separately or not. I usually just place a disposable foil pan on top of that to catch drippings. Has worked well for me so far.
Insert is picutured here leaning up against the pot.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Vb4VG1OmL.jpg)
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Oh duh, I probably still have mine somewhere. Thanks!
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That makes me change my mind about the mini's. That turned out great, and what a good story to read. Love it, man. Thx
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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That makes me change my mind about the mini's. ...
In what way? Today, with the occasional 14.5" WSM that comes up on CL, the economics and hassle of building your own might favor getting the real thing instead. Also depends on what parts you may already have laying around or if you'd rather create something custom, of course.
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That makes me change my mind about the mini's. ...
In what way? Today, with the occasional 14.5" WSM that comes up on CL, the economics and hassle of building your own might favor getting the real thing instead. Also depends on what parts you may already have laying around or if you'd rather create something custom, of course.
Makes me change my mind in the way that it looks like a fun project.
Reading all the threads of "issues" seemed to be off putting, but I enjoy a fun project and that would definitely be one, rather than just buying something.
That's why I built a Uds. It was fun, and that sucker has gone for 17 hrs on 8lb. Of lump.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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very nice job! until, holy crap black bottom. :'(
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that looks great. awesome build!