Project "Venison"

[Winz]

My first WSM mini build.  I put this together to give to a good friend for his upcoming birthday.  He has built some cool stuff for me over the years and its time I repaid some of that good karma.

We both like to bow hunt, so I decided to use that as a theme.  The build itself is a pretty run of the mill WSM build.  I used an antler from a coos deer I harvested in the Chriicahua Mountains in Arizona for the vent handle.  That is some amazing country, and coos deer are super elusive, making for some incredible hunting.

For function, i sourced the parts to make my own 3/8 grommet for a temp probe.  On the inside shot you can see where it supports the top shelf (the support at the top of the picture).

Still need to add a temp gauge.  I ordered the gauge/bezel that comes on the 18.5 WSM, and am going to mount it to the right of the logo with the probe just below the top shelf.









I am sure most of you have done this project, but this was my first.  In researching Mini WSM conversions, I came across a few that had been posted on other forums, however I recognized the WKC members names.  Particularly impressive was Bman's build - that logo work is crazy good. 

Nice job Bman!  I wish I had your patience and attention to detail.

http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?39966-My-*WEBER*-mini-build

Winz

[addicted-to-smoke]

Looks great. I need to build one someday; a small one's all I need but lack the $199 for the real deal.

[pbe gummi bear]

Nice Job, Winz. I recommend a small clay saucer for a heat diffuser and a small expanded metal charcoal ring and your buddy will be all set. The Browning logo is great!

[Winz]

Nice Job, Winz. I recommend a small clay saucer for a heat diffuser and a small expanded metal charcoal ring and your buddy will be all set. The Browning logo is great!

r.e. heat diffuser - I am thinking of going with the pie pan vs the clay.  I see advantages to clay as a heat sink, but like the lightness and portability of the pie pan. 

Still have some time to decide the best course.

Winz

[Idahawk]

My first bow was a Browning some 25 years ago , I like the theme and the cooker !


Esto Perpetua

[argentflame]

Awesome theme. Very nice cooker.

[crumbsnatcher]

Nice job on the build WinZ!  The logo looks great. I love the antler integration into the vent tab. Do you use a water pan when smoking in these mini WSM?


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[Winz]

Do you use a water pan when smoking in these mini WSM?

Crumbsnatcher - Like its larger WSM brothers, you need to have a heat diffuser or water pan in place to protect the meat from direct heat.  Given the pan on the Mini is so small, I doubt it would be very useful to put water in it for long/slow cooks as you would need to refill it often.  That said, I have never cooked on a Mini so I don't have any practical knowledge on the matter.

Winz

[Heyjude]

An unglazed clay saucer works good. It absorbs and holds heat. Same intent with a water pan.
Now even if you wrap that saucer in foil, grease still finds a way to get on it. They tend to absorb the grease. No amount of washing seems to get it out. A pan to catch the drippings would be better.. 

[1buckie]

Yeah, bone stuff is a shoe-in for handles.....don't think we'll put Brian out of business any time soon though............



http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/out-west-we-call'em/msg27571/?topicseen#msg27571


Real extra nice job on the build, man !!!!!!

[pbe gummi bear]

Buckie, your dog ate one of those bone handles right?

[1buckie]

No, the people's dawgs (plural) who that was done for ate the 1st one off......this is round two.....see link.............

[1911Ron]

Very nice, good job!