I've had a few requests to post more about my Mini-WSM Builds. I currently have two Mini-WSM's both made using the Smokey Joe Silver. Both of these I got off of Craigslist one for $5, the other for $10. Both included briquettes and wood chips. The $5 one came with the charcoal starter chimney. If I had to buy brand new I probably would but the Gold, as the valves for the side vents cost a pretty penny. With that said I also like to tinker and build things. So i was fun experimenting with the first one.
My first Mini is just about 2 1/2 years old now. I started my first build in the fall (that's when all the good camping stuff comes up for sale on Craigslist). The first smoke was on a super cold day and the mini rocked! I intentionally didn't add all the components at once as I wanted to see how each effected the mini's performance. For the SMJ Silver I found that the three most important mods to make are these:
1. (2) 3/4" valved air intakes (the cap on the nipple doesn't allow enough control)
2. Ash deflector (there is no need to enlarge the ash tray if you have this)
3. Charcoal Basket
Some other nice things to do:
1. Add some flare, bling or whatever to make your Mini, yours. I choose to not paint. I was in too much of a hurry to smoke!
2. Make handles for the existing vents. This is nice, especially for the lower vent. Top vent stays open all the time when cooking. But I do close mine to snuff the fire and for storage. After two and a half years the vents a little sticky and seasoned so the handle helps.
A little bit about the pot. My first pot I used was the Vasconia 32qt. tamale steamer. I really like this pot, but could not get it locally so had to order it. The non-metallic handles are what makes this pot my preferred pot.
I experimented with just drilling holes in the bottom of the pot. This worked, but it limits the amount of charcoal you can put in the base. If you accidentally overload the charcoal the pot wont seat on the SMJ base.
On my second pot, a Hoffritz 32qt. tamale steamer, I removed the bottom, leaving 1 1/4". This was a huge improvement and I eventually cut the bottom out of the original pot too.
Pot size. The pot needs to be just shy of 14" to fit in the SMJ.
I like to attach the lid of the pot to the bottom of the pot. This raises the pot just a bit higher. With the lid on the bottom the pot sits on the rim of the SMJ base. without it sits on the grate lip inside the SMJ. To attach the lid I bolted it on with four bolts. When I went to cut out the bottom of pot #1 I had to go around the bolts and it doesn't look all that good. I plan on cleaning up the cut and instead of bolts I am going to rivet the lid back on.
Okay so enough of the talk onto the photos.
My first Mini is just about 2 1/2 years old now. I started my first build in the fall (that's when all the good camping stuff comes up for sale on Craigslist). The first smoke was on a super cold day and the mini rocked! I intentionally didn't add all the components at once as I wanted to see how each effected the mini's performance. For the SMJ Silver I found that the three most important mods to make are these:
1. (2) 3/4" valved air intakes (the cap on the nipple doesn't allow enough control)
2. Ash deflector (there is no need to enlarge the ash tray if you have this)
3. Charcoal Basket
Some other nice things to do:
1. Add some flare, bling or whatever to make your Mini, yours. I choose to not paint. I was in too much of a hurry to smoke!
2. Make handles for the existing vents. This is nice, especially for the lower vent. Top vent stays open all the time when cooking. But I do close mine to snuff the fire and for storage. After two and a half years the vents a little sticky and seasoned so the handle helps.
A little bit about the pot. My first pot I used was the Vasconia 32qt. tamale steamer. I really like this pot, but could not get it locally so had to order it. The non-metallic handles are what makes this pot my preferred pot.
I experimented with just drilling holes in the bottom of the pot. This worked, but it limits the amount of charcoal you can put in the base. If you accidentally overload the charcoal the pot wont seat on the SMJ base.
On my second pot, a Hoffritz 32qt. tamale steamer, I removed the bottom, leaving 1 1/4". This was a huge improvement and I eventually cut the bottom out of the original pot too.
Pot size. The pot needs to be just shy of 14" to fit in the SMJ.
I like to attach the lid of the pot to the bottom of the pot. This raises the pot just a bit higher. With the lid on the bottom the pot sits on the rim of the SMJ base. without it sits on the grate lip inside the SMJ. To attach the lid I bolted it on with four bolts. When I went to cut out the bottom of pot #1 I had to go around the bolts and it doesn't look all that good. I plan on cleaning up the cut and instead of bolts I am going to rivet the lid back on.
Okay so enough of the talk onto the photos.
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