So I've been working on a stacker mod, not sure if I'm quite finished or not but I thought I'd post it anyways.
I've wanted a WSM for like, EVER but never seems to be in the budget. I've looked at things like the cajun bandit and like it but as someone else stated in a recent thread that "for the price(especially Canadian)I would rather hold off for a WSM". I've also thought about making something similar as I am a machinist/welder and have access to equipment. For this project/mod I didn't want it to be something only people with trade skills/shop equipment could make but rather anybody could do with minimal tooling and place to work(I did it in my back yard...no garage). So I bit the bullet and did it with what I had to work with at home, enjoyed it, it works, and it's a bit if a conversation piece.
What tools I had to work with at home...average home tools, jigsaw, hammer, drill, rivet gun, etc.
Material I had to work with....
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/b664c17af130996d5592710cf0270d62.jpg)
First, laid out the cut...(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/305d768736256be882da8b0ace70c42e.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/b2e2af2c8f4528a83d7a6f5c80e3ce77.jpg)
Cut out with jigsaw...
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/688e657b909b4b2a9f6353a5eb4233d5.jpg)
Cut vertical slits to allow for be bending...
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/41d8d1548e9f1115b3d31665af8dfa89.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/aa32d66e1074409157c6cff7dadb846a.jpg)
This was all done to both bowl and lid to match. Then clamped together and drilled holes in mating parts for rivets.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/a7bf39c507d39583c748a15ee5e59a68.jpg)
Then, using fireplace window gasket ($12 at Rona) with adhesive back, I attached it around the outside of the rivet holes but enough that would be sandwiched between the two pieces. I would have liked to have it go further in the joint but I figured it'd be a pain getting the rivets through. Also, I did think about welding but like I said I wanted anyone to be able to do it. Also, I did think about using a high heat sealant but went with this instead (builder's choice).
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/11e75f0f9eb2ec09fbb0253fbe4baf6e.jpg)
I then removed the handle from the scrap lid piece and riveted it to the side opposite the already existing handle.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/8b7ee9dfa043cd6e01f89f411d4b0a7f.jpg)
Then I mounted a thermometer and bezel I ordered from eReplacements on the front...at grill height.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/9ae795cb7f4b55c7de41f1c02a56afff.jpg)
I now have a 22" stacker!
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/87e78272dfd6b527f4151b6e906a37e0.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/b409b3ddf789fb5ff9414dea70e84132.jpg)
Not sure if I want to lower the legs yet or not.
Wife picked me up a large wok that I use as a water pan/diffuser. I've also tried fire bricks.
Had a couple good cooks on it so far.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/c0d65a73f82bbb045d7b766ad1d41995.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/30/4eb04f636748537576c3fbdf051b8238.jpg)
I like it a lot...still want a WSM but for the $40 for the gently used kettle and $12 for the gasket and $26 for the thermometer and bezel I'm pretty happy.
I'm not sure where or if this falls under the three R's but it's a step forward for me and repurposing a kettle that will now get used more then it ever was.
I should also note and like to thank member 604 for trading me the legs, wheels and triangle from the modded kettle for an ash bucket and ring to turn this gold!
That right there is Mod-Month worthy for sure! 8) Love it when someone does something never seen before. I'm preparing an announcement for this year's Mod Month (October) so watch for that soon. I can't wait to see all the creative ideas - like this one - that show up this year! Remember last year?
http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/mod-month-official-master-thread!/msg136850/#msg136850
Marty
Thats awesome! What about a cover? Will a 22" wsm cover work.?
That's a cool stacker mod!
That's a really cool mod! If you are considering lowering the rig anyway, if love to see a midget mod or wsm style legs made from flat bar stock.
I like that a lot!
Is the diffuser sitting on the cooking grate of the base kettle?
Have you tried using a second grate in the coal grate position on the stacker?
I have a few banged up 22.5" bowls and lids in my attic...
Quote from: blksabbath on August 30, 2015, 04:06:36 AM
Thats awesome! What about a cover? Will a 22" wsm cover work.?
I don't know, I don't have a WSM cover to yet.
Quote from: jcnaz on August 30, 2015, 06:30:53 AM
I like that a lot!
Is the diffuser sits on the cooking grate of the base kettle?
Have you tried using a second grate in the coal grate position on the stacker?
I have a few banged up 22.5" bowls and lids in my attic...
I'm playing with the setup, I've had the diffuser sit on the cooking grate on the lower unit and on the charcoal grate of the upper unit. I do plan to pick up an 18" cooking grate to use in the charcoal grate position of the upper unit as a second smoking rack.
I really am thinking about lowering the bottom unit but the working height all stacked us still quite good and I still like the versatility of using the kettle by itself...not sure yet.
Very creative mod.
Nice work Lumpy Coal.
Very cool. Way to think outside the box!
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Thanks guys. I wasn't sure how it would be received since I had to wreck a kettle to do it.
Cool mod.!
@Lumpy Coal, How did you decide on the diameter of the hole that you cut in the bowl?
Quote from: Lumpy Coal on August 30, 2015, 05:45:51 PM
Thanks guys. I wasn't sure how it would be received since I had to wreck a kettle to do it.
You RUINED a RARE Black kettle! :( :( ;D ;D ;D Very cool mod, very interesting!
Quote from: jcnaz on August 30, 2015, 07:51:00 PM
@Lumpy Coal, How did you decide on the diameter of the hole that you cut in the bowl?
I went the size of the ash pan, it seemed to work well with leaving enough material below the charcoal grate position on the bowl and the vent holes and such on the lid. There was about half of one vent hole and a quarter of another that the cut line went through but that was hidden with the 1" bend slits for the mating surfaces.
Quote from: 1911Ron on August 30, 2015, 09:03:41 PM
Quote from: Lumpy Coal on August 30, 2015, 05:45:51 PM
Thanks guys. I wasn't sure how it would be received since I had to wreck a kettle to do it.
You RUINED a RARE Black kettle! :( :( ;D ;D ;D Very cool mod, very interesting!
Lol.
I should also mention. Once I bent the 1" tabs flat with pliers I laid each half on a solid wood surface and hammered it flatter with a plastic mallet.
Also, in case anyone is wondering, the porcelain coating did splinter and flake off when I bent it but that stayed pretty local to the bend tabs and wasn't noticeable on the outside at all.
I loved this design so i built on out of a junker 18 i had. Used it the first time today and it did awesome!
I used BGE style nomew gasket, no leaks.
Water pan was a rectangular foil pan sitting on cooking grate of lower grill.
Did a chub of bologna for a test run
Thanks for the inspiration!
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Quote from: firedude5015 on September 05, 2015, 12:24:59 PM
I loved this design so i built one out of a junker 18 i had. Used it the first time today and it did awesome!
I used BGE style nomex gasket, no leaks.
Water pan was a rectangular foil pan sitting on cooking grate of lower grill.
Did a chub of bologna for a test run
Thanks for the inspiration!
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Quote from: firedude5015 on September 05, 2015, 12:24:59 PM
I loved this design so i built on out of a junker 18 i had. Used it the first time today and it did awesome!
I used BGE style nomew gasket, no leaks.
Water pan was a rectangular foil pan sitting on cooking grate of lower grill.
Did a chub of bologna for a test run
Thanks for the inspiration!
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Let's see it! :D
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/05/ec7d5a342069f8e98a672fec731d91c9.jpg)
In action earlier today..held 220-230 for over 3 hours on a compact chimney full of kbb
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Quote from: firedude5015 on September 05, 2015, 03:12:25 PM
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/05/ec7d5a342069f8e98a672fec731d91c9.jpg)
In action earlier today..held 220-230 for over 3 hours on a compact chimney full of kbb
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Very nice! I thought of a BGE gasket as well but I would have had to drive a good distance to get one so I opted for the fireplace gasket which sealed well too. Glad it's working for you.
Very cool @firedude5015.
I had the gasket left over from an offset smoker i ordered it for. Had everything i needed and lumpy coal inspired me.
Awesomeness
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Very cool idea!
Awesome mod. I wonder how it would work with the smokey joe...
Don't see why not.
my dad used to say
"if it pleases you, it tickles the hell outta me!"
I ain't feelin' it myself, but if it works for you then nice work!
I've got a 26" Masterbuilt kettle that I bought going on the advice of an expert that said it fits an 85 gallon drum - well it don't and I can't sell it on craigslist, so I might be cutting it up like that and placing it on a 55 gallon drum.
probably elicit the same type of horror.
Quote from: swamprb on September 25, 2015, 07:44:02 PM
my dad used to say
"if it pleases you, it tickles the hell outta me!"
I ain't feelin' it myself, but if it works for you then nice work!
I've got a 26" Masterbuilt kettle that I bought going on the advice of an expert that said it fits an 85 gallon drum - well it don't and I can't sell it on craigslist, so I might be cutting it up like that and placing it on a 55 gallon drum.
probably elicit the same type of horror.
Just to clarify....are you saying my stacker mod is a horror?
Very ingenious work! Love it
Only picture I could find of my midget stacker
Sent from my moto z4 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
Wow, that is awesome!
They keep popping up!
Very cool mod!
Sent from my Pixel 4 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)