A house across the street was for sale by the bank (owner died, no kids) cheap!! So I went over to look at it and found this cooker jammed in some overgrown bushes. Called the bank contact and he informed me of the purchased price as the house sold it's second day on the market (never even had a chance to put a sign up)!! I asked him about the cooker and he said take it if you want. So I did!! :banana_smiley:It's going to need a lot of work. And I am going to need lots of input from you all. A friend down the street has a welder ... and my (now) favorite cousin works in a welding shop and can get SS for free. Although he lives 1.5 hours away, he will do what he can to help. All input is welcome!!!

Missing the left stack
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0655.jpg

Showing the rust inside
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0652.jpg

Gas connection on right side (looking at cooker)
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0650.jpg

Showing rust on bottom
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0658.jpg

Pull style. Amazingly the tires held air.
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0649.jpg

Back view. It is tilted due to the (guessing) addition of the front wheels. Have no clue what "BIA" means.
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0646.jpg

Showing more inside rust. A lot of it.
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0653.jpg

Showing the front view. It has a SS shelf in front that needs to be replaced.
http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0648.jpg


Going to knock the rust off now and see what's underneath.
Thinking about keeping the gas connection, plus modding it to be a reverse flow with a firebox on the left side, if possible. And put it on a trailer. Lots of ideas (more of a wish list, I guess). This should be interesting!! :cool::cool:

Looks like it could turn into a fun project. I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

That should be a heck of a project... It has one heck of a home made gas burner in it..

way to revive the ol gal... BIA... will soon mean "Back in Action"

way to revive the ol gal... BIA... will soon mean "Back in Action"

Nice JB.


OK ... The news is not good? When i was grinding the bottom of the smoker, I was able to see the ground. Not good. I will need a arched plate approx. 28" across and 10" high. Not sure where to get this from. Maybe my "now" favorite cousin? We'll see.

I'm thinkin ya done good! Be cool to see the work in progress!

There are great finds everywhere you look, especially in the Carolinas! :banana_smiley:

Way to go ...............:bounce:

Adding these pics to show the "rust through". Still trying to figure out where to go from here. Any ideas??

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0659.jpg

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/IMG_0660.jpg

Not showing as well as I thought they would. But you can see in the middle of the bottom.So I figure the whole bottom is shot. ?????

Sweet Score!
I can't wait to see her after you get her all cleaned up, do post the details!
:banana_smiley:

I was thinkin "bitch in action" cause that's what she's gonna be when you get her fixed up!

I was thinkin "bitch in action" cause that's what she's gonna be when you get her fixed up!


Very nice superv!!!

Don't even remove that mketal. Take a hammer and knock the metal so all the rust falls out of the pinholes. You then will know the extent of how far to go up the sides. Measure across the bottom bend how much metal you will need to weld on the bottom to cover the entire bottom wherever there are pinholes. Buy that sheet metal at either: a.) a welding supply house; or b.) a tractor supply place; or c.) a salvage yard; or d.) an auto junkyard, where it will be called a hood or trunk lid (heheheh).

Flip the cooker over. Grind off the area you need to put your welds in, lay the sheet metal so you can tack in one side really well. Have a buddy use a stick or pipe section or hammer handle to push down and bend the metal around the bottom until it meets on the other side. Tack that in well. Then stitch weld all the way around until you have it sealed up. Paint it.

Look for replacement racks at Wally World, Home Depot, Lowes or a grill supply store, if you have those in your area.That cooker is really cool. It looks like it was made for charcoal but then coverted to gas.

Thanks Jimbob but I have an Update ... My cousin has located a barrel the same size as "ole rusty" here. There is also a SS cooking rack, barrel hinges, and a couple of other items. :banana_smiley::banana_smiley:All he had to do to get it was fix the guys (his BIL) 4-wheeler. His BIL was going to build a cooker but decided against it. He and I are going to be on the lookout for some 1/4" steel plate for the firebox and some plate for the reverse flow baffle. He is going to come down in a couple or 3 weekends so we can get to work on this. We can use the angle and flat iron off "ole rusty". IF we can get a hold of a trailer, we will go from there. We are also going to have a gas option. Firebox on right, Gas burner(s) coming in from the left. The burners will be mounted above the baffle. How far do you suggest? Will provide plenty of pics on the progress.

Bring on the ideas and suggestions!!!

Bumping with questions. Barrel is 50" x 30".

Firebox size 20"x20"x24"? Is 1/4" or 1/2" that important? Does it keep that much more heat in and last that much longer. I can find 1/4" easier and cheaper.

I'm thinking the firebox opening on the barrel needs to 10" (1/3 diameter)?

The reverse flow baffle/plate 4" off the bottom with 1/2 drop from the firebox side to the drain plug/dam side and made from 1/4" plate? One piece or 3 piece (1 1" angle and 2 plates)?

Baffle plate - How much space between the dam and the end of the chamber. 4" as well?

Stack 4" with damper. Where to buy or how to make.

Damper between the firebox and smoking chamber. How to make?

Thinking about possible warming/smoking box on top of the firebox. Need a damper. How? Also where does the smoke/heat exhaust?

OK ... that's enough for now. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Bumping with questions. Barrel is 50" x 30".

Firebox size 20"x20"x24"? Is 1/4" or 1/2" that important? Does it keep that much more heat in and last that much longer. I can find 1/4" easier and cheaper. 1/4" will be fine.

I'm thinking the firebox opening on the barrel needs to 10" (1/3 diameter)? Good rule of thumb is 6" between the grate and the pan.

The reverse flow baffle/plate 4" off the bottom with 1/2 drop from the firebox side to the drain plug/dam side and made from 1/4" plate? One piece or 3 piece (1 1" angle and 2 plates)? If you use 1/4" you will need to make it from 3 pieces. Two plates and 1" angle in the middle for your grease to flow.

Baffle plate - How much space between the dam and the end of the chamber. 4" as well? You will need 2x the square area as your intake. So if your intake is 12sq" you will need a minimum of 24sq" Make sure your exhaust is equal or larger than your intake for proper flow.

Stack 4" with damper. Where to buy or how to make. You will need to get some 4" pipe and have a piece of scrap metal.. Cut the metal just smaller than the 4" pipe. Maybe 3 3/4" Drill a hole through your exhaust about 3" from the bottom. Insert your bolt or handle through. use a spring for tension to keep the damper in place. Now take your flat round and place on a smaller pipe.. Slide exhaust down over the pipe and damper, its will hold it in place on the damper handle so you can weld it.

Damper between the firebox and smoking chamber. How to make?

Thinking about possible warming/smoking box on top of the firebox. Need a damper. How? Also where does the smoke/heat exhaust?

OK ... that's enough for now. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif


.

Bump

This is an "imported" diagram. OK I'm asking for opinions. Anyone that would like to give suggestions on the dimensions A B C D and E please feel free. I will have a 30" x 50" barrel. I want to put in 2 shelves. So door dimensions? Anyway the fire box will be either a perpendicularly mounted smaller propane tank or fabricated square box. Thanks to all in advance. Also, the size of the firebox.

http://i474.photobucket.com/albums/rr106/GoToLeep/Pig%20Cooker/ReverseFlowdiagram.jpg

:bump:

Cant tell what your measurement of the firebox opening is..

Ken,
This diagram was based on 24" diameter. Mine will be 30" diameter. So I was thinking 6-8 inches and shouldn't it be cut in a straight line across the top? Thanks.

If your using a store bought firebox, make it the size of the opening. If your making a firebox "square" the opening should be 1/3 the size of the firebox.