Mini WSM Build (UK)

[BBQFanatic]

So I have been gagging to build one of these for ages. Thanks to alot of you on the forum I was lucky enough to win a smokey joe. I trawled the websites looking for a suitable pot for the build but they are not easily available. Someone did find a pot for about £12 called a Sonex Pot,the No 6 - 28L is the one you want. Its made in India, and for love or money I have not been able to source it in the uk. As a result this is my list of items

- Winware 32 Quart Stock Pot - Delivered by for £7 on Amazon Prime. $41 for the pot and £8 in import duties so about £41. I cut the base out and have drilled holes in the sides that I use the bolts below to mount the grates and clay saucer on. I painted the thing with black ceramic engine paint (3x coats). It would probably do with a gloss coat.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CHKL3G/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- 2" BBQ Thermometer from Amazon £12.99
http://www.amazon.co.uk/jumbl-BT1-Inch-Smoker-Thermometer/dp/B000XEBFHA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1404462776&sr=8-2&keywords=bbq+thermometer

- 10x 1/4" 20 bolts and washers from Amazon - £5
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00J929IBM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

- VHT Black Enamel Engine Paint - £10
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0080VPFSS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am still hunting for another grate and a clay tray which I can hopefully find this week. Thats likely to be £20

So cost wise you are looking at £40 for the Smokey Joe and parts of about £80. So £120 for a cheap home build (and pretty cool) Mini WSM.

[CHokKA]

That looks absolutely awesome! When do you think you'll be taking it for a test run? What meat will you be doing?

I can just imagine this being an amazing camping smoker. Set up camp, get it going, put your meat on and forget about it for 12 hours or so, come back to your tent and your amazing meal is ready.

[JEC]

Excellent, what a smart looking little smoker

[BBQFanatic]

I am burning her in today. Already I can see a few little mods I need to make. I am going to have to lift up the clay saucer otherwise there is not enough room for the charcoal on a longer cook. Fortunately at the base I have a 1" lip, which I will put bolts into that stick up and will hold the sauce higher up. First cook sometime this weekend. Probably wings!

[RobinC]

How's the burn in going? I've never been that interested in UDS but I do like the idea of re purposing my Smokey Joe. Got a chance to see the 37cm WSM up close recently and was quite taken with it. We often just cook a single pork shoulder and it struck me it would be the ideal size for that

[BBQFanatic]

First 2x burns were not great as the clay tray was too close to the fire and the bottom of the pot wasnt open enough. Remediated that and move the tray up about an inch. Have painted the last 3 of 6 coats on tonight, so first actual cook will happen this weekend. With everything open it will burn at 450F+ with the vents mostly closed it dropped into the 200's but I havent found her sweetspot yet.

[RobinC]

Keep the updates coming

[BBQFanatic]

More pics to follow. Well and truly ready for action. Very excited
Sent from my Lumia 820 - WP8.1 device

[BBQFanatic]

Lit it with 1/2 a chimney of charcoal at 8am this morning. Its been rock solid at this temp all day.

http://imgur.com/083hZDb
Sent from my Lumia 820 - WP8.1 device

[JEC]

You must be well pleased with that!