Bringing home an old family friend (Q-view)

[fwismoker]

Case why can't you get a bigger grate and cut it down to size?  It could at least get you cooking while you find something better.

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Case why can't you get a bigger grate and cut it down to size?

I suppose that I could. I need to measure it again as I think that I found one that might work. I need one that doesn't have handles on it. Weber's 22" might be close, but the handle version would interfere with the lid. I also just remembered that I still need to replace the gasket on the lid. I will use the BGE gasket as I can get it easily here.

 

[sqwib]

Awesome restore, I love it when someone breathes new life into a retired smoker, great job!

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Awesome restore, I love it when someone breathes new life into a retired smoker, great job!

Thanks SQWIB!! I can't wait to get some meat on the grill!

 

[humdinger]

Nice job Case! I finally got around to checking on this thread again after a few months off, and I am blown away by how awesome the casa looks. You're hard work really shows in the final product. Kudos to Jetman Dan for stepping up and helping out with the metalwork! Great work fellas.

 

[fwismoker]

Now Case just needs to learn to cook and smoke..then he'd be in business! Jmo

;)

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Nice job Case! I finally got around to checking on this thread again after a few months off, and I am blown away by how awesome the casa looks. You're hard work really shows in the final product. Kudos to Jetman Dan for stepping up and helping out with the metalwork! Great work fellas.

Thank you! A few more little things to do and I'll be ready for the first burn! Dan was a really big help and without his metal prowess I wouldn't be this close!

I have been talking with my Grandmother quite a bit about my Grandpa's favorite things to cook and I have my first cook planned!

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Now Case just needs to learn to cook and smoke..then he'd be in business! Jmo

;)

Keith I'd like to keep the word business out of this fun and tasty hobby!!! I already have enough work!!!!

 

[kandl]

Very cool project!  

 

[bama bbq]

Hey dirt, can we get an update? How's it goin?

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Hey dirt, can we get an update? How's it goin?

Thanks for checking in! Currently I need to purchase a new gasket for the lid and she'll be ready to fire up. I plan on doing a test smoke next week when I get back from Elk hunting!

 

[jdwalker]

I just replaced the gasket on my ceramic smoker and couldn't be happier with the product I chose. I just got done witha n 800* burn and the gasket looks like new. It is a coltronix gasket and can be quite expensive in the minimum quantities required for purchase from the manufacturer. A fine gent by the name of Brian can provide you with the correct length required to re-gasket your smoker for around $20 including shipping. I don't personally know this guy and don't have a dog in the fight - just bought some gasket from him and was extremely happy with the service and product. I can provide his contact if you wish via pm.

BTW awesome referb on the komodo.

 

[cdmurphy]

I just came across this thread after picking up an almost identical Sazco Sultan kamado a few days ago.  Nice job on the restore -- it's fantastic that you're able to bring back some of your family history like that.

From all the other Sazco related threads I've been able to find, yours seems to be unique in having a ceramic firebox / firebowl.  Most appear have a steel bowl like mine, or simply be missing them.

I found a copy of the Sazco "Casa-Q" user manual over at Naked Whiz's site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/oldmanuals/showcasaqom.htm  It specifically mentions putting in charcoal only up to a line about 2" off the bottom in the steel firebowl, obviously they had already changed the firebowl design by then. Yours may be a very early model.

My firebowl isn't quite rusted out, but it isn't in great shape either.  I'm planning on replacing it with a heavy duty stainless mixing bowl with some holes poked in it.  My wife actually had a large 20 Qt bowl that I tried, but it it 18.75" in diameter, vs. the original 18.25" firebowl.   I think I've found one on amazon that is slightly smaller in diameter, I'll see how it fits in a few days.

Here are some pics:  (Everything is there, but the hinge popped off the bottom band, and the upper damper has a broken, rusted out mounting bracket. -- it's okay, I own a machine / fabrication shop so it's just a question of fixing the bands, or making new ones.)

Sazco1.jpg

• cdmurphy
• Oct 30, 2013

Sazco2.jpg

• cdmurphy
• Oct 30, 2013

Here is a pic of my first Kamado -- it's a "Diem Kamado" from just a little later then the Sazco. I got this one about 10 years ago.  I replaced the original bands with a custom stainless spring hinge mechanism, and have a home brewed arduino based temp controller running it.

Diem-Kamado.jpg

• cdmurphy
• Oct 30, 2013

 

[dirtsailor2003]

 
I just came across this thread after picking up an almost identical Sazco Sultan kamado a few days ago.  Nice job on the restore -- it's fantastic that you're able to bring back some of your family history like that.

From all the other Sazco related threads I've been able to find, yours seems to be unique in having a ceramic firebox / firebowl.  Most appear have a steel bowl like mine, or simply be missing them.

I found a copy of the Sazco "Casa-Q" user manual over at Naked Whiz's site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/oldmanuals/showcasaqom.htm  It specifically mentions putting in charcoal only up to a line about 2" off the bottom in the steel firebowl, obviously they had already changed the firebowl design by then. Yours may be a very early model.

My firebowl isn't quite rusted out, but it isn't in great shape either.  I'm planning on replacing it with a heavy duty stainless mixing bowl with some holes poked in it.  My wife actually had a large 20 Qt bowl that I tried, but it it 18.75" in diameter, vs. the original 18.25" firebowl.   I think I've found one on amazon that is slightly smaller in diameter, I'll see how it fits in a few days.

Here are some pics:  (Everything is there, but the hinge popped off the bottom band, and the upper damper has a broken, rusted out mounting bracket. -- it's okay, I own a machine / fabrication shop so it's just a question of fixing the bands, or making new ones.)

Sazco1.jpg

• cdmurphy
• Oct 30, 2013

Sazco2.jpg

• cdmurphy
• Oct 30, 2013

Here is a pic of my first Kamado -- it's a "Diem Kamado" from just a little later then the Sazco. I got this one about 10 years ago.  I replaced the original bands with a custom stainless spring hinge mechanism, and have a home brewed arduino based temp controller running it.

Diem-Kamado.jpg

• cdmurphy
• Oct 30, 2013

Great pictures. From talking to my grandma they got this in 1967. Interesting to see that they went to a metal firebox. Wish I had the top damper that yours has. It broke many years ago and the aluminum one that my grandfather made to replace it vanished.

I have all the links to the Naked Wiz. I was actually browsing there before I remembered that we had one. It jogged my memory!

I see that this is your first post, stop into roll call and introduce yourself.

Just an FYI its against the rules to post off site links here. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/143758/off-site-links-please-read

 

[dirtsailor2003]

I just replaced the gasket on my ceramic smoker and couldn't be happier with the product I chose. I just got done witha n 800* burn and the gasket looks like new. It is a coltronix gasket and can be quite expensive in the minimum quantities required for purchase from the manufacturer. A fine gent by the name of Brian can provide you with the correct length required to re-gasket your smoker for around $20 including shipping. I don't personally know this guy and don't have a dog in the fight - just bought some gasket from him and was extremely happy with the service and product. I can provide his contact if you wish via pm.

BTW awesome referb on the komodo.

Thanks Jd.  I will PM you for his info.

 

[dan - firecraft]

What a cool thread!

 

[dirtsailor2003]

 
What a cool thread!

Thanks Dan! Do you stock parts for the ceramic grills that you sell? I may purchase a cap for the chimney on the Casa Q. I have seen the green-egg one, but am not sold on it yet.

 

[dan - firecraft]

 
Thanks Dan! Do you stock parts for the ceramic grills that you sell? I may purchase a cap for the chimney on the Casa Q. I have seen the green-egg one, but am not sold on it yet.

We do! I do not carry BGE but I do have Primo, Saffire, and Grill Dome.

Let me know if you need any help at all!

 

[cdmurphy]

Oops, sorry about the link.  Obviously I'm new here -- I just found this thread through Google and wanted to contribute a bit more info about these rare Kamados.    

Case - about gaskets, you can buy 1" x .125"x50' roll of nomex felt from McMaster-Carr for about $25.  (Item  8796K52)  It doesn't really save you much for one kamado, but it's enough material to do two or three.  Or one several times over if you like 900 degree Neapolitan Pizza :-)  

Does your Sazco still have the little "L" bracket to attach the damper, or at least the 2 holes for the bracket?   If you could PM me your address I could whip you out a damper from some aluminum plate pretty easily.  The other option would be to use a BGE cast iron damper top.   You can just use several strips of gasket glued around the vent to keep it snugly in place.

- Cameron

 

[gpakerr]

Just a few days ago my heart was shattered as I watched my dog knock over my Casa-Q. It was my Grandfather's from the 60's and it just crumbled. I can't find a replacement anywhere. :( I have the original manual for it too. Enjoy what you have there guys.

20130331_183844.jpg

• gpakerr
• Jan 2, 2014