TX - Extreme BBQ Makeover - New Braunfels Smoker Refurb

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jackthejester

Newbie
Original poster
Sep 28, 2007
8
11
Fort Worth, TX
Hey Guys (and gals!) ....

I found the SMF forums last week while digging for info on a smoker I was going to buy ...

Always heard great things about the New Braunfels Smokers, and ran across one locally on craigslist. Basically the ad was ... "husband is gone, time to move his cooker" .... he must not have been much for cooking (recently). I know the newer Charbroil version has thinner metal and a bolt-on firebox. Not this one, must have been an original New Braunfels, as it's got 1/4" steel cooking pit and firebox, welded together. And is HEAVY! She was asking $200 and I got it for $150 ...

I'd love to know from other Forum members if they recognize anything about this smoker, years, etc ... It is a New Braunfels (had a crumbling label on the chimney end) - with 'Chuck Wagon Cooker' on the side of a chuckwagon image. Label was falling apart, so that's all I officially know. Theres what might be a manufacturing code or serial # inside the main pit lid - Y1316. Any other comments or info is mucho appreciated.

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Pretty rough shape, on the surface, not sure this dude ever cleaned this out. I spent Friday afternoon getting dirty with my hand sander, some 80 grit sandpaper, a drill and wire-bristle cup that removed a ton of firebox rust, gave the pit exterior a good sanding and hit it all with 3-4 cans of high temp Rustoleum (1200 degrees). I fired up an obligatory first burn that night and painted another coat or 2 while it burned off the ickys inside ...

BEFORE (after sanding, before paint)

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Found some replacement grills at Home Depot on Saturday and we were in business ..

AFTER (for now ... ;))

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24 hours later after it had arrived at our address, we had to test drive it with a tenderloin that had been in the freezer .. Hormel Lemon Garlic tenderloin, straight from the package, nothing added.

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Results were mixed .... we thought the taste was right on, and we thought the texture was a little rubbery. Might it have just been the processed / packaged tenderloin or indeed over-extended cooking times???

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Any comments or suggestions welcome if you've had tenderloin experiences, I'm pretty new to hardcore smoking ... I've been grilling since I could flip burgers on the grill with my dad, 30+ years ago .. but this is my first experience owning an offset smoker and I'm all ears to those more experienced.

Tenderloin was ~1.5lb placed on the grill closer to the firebox than not. Temps generally stayed between 225-250 (gotta love the new toy that plays right the first time!!!), it did fall as low as 180ish and got as high as 320ish, but never for an extended period of time.

We're doing a beer can chicken tonight. I bought a beer-can chicken stand on clearance at the grocery store probably 3-4 years go, it's sat in the cabinet - guess it's time we put it to good use.

If there's such a thing as BBQ "pRon", I swear I feel like I just found the stash .. love the SMF!

We're a Mid 30s couple in Fort Worth, TX - shes a TCU grad, I'm a Baylor Grad originally from Houston, we love good friends, good food and good music, often traveling to see our favorite band, Widespread Panic, across the country, making gobs of friends nationwide. Need to hook me up a trailer pit and go on tour .... veggie burritos, sheesh, how bout a slab of ribs, bro or a sausage (on a stick, maybe) ? 1 for $3, 2 for $5 .. good times!

And since it would seem relevant to these parts ... here's the TCU Football Lettermans BBQ Smoker wagon, only 3 places down from our football stadium tailgating spot, selling $10 all-you-can eat BBQ plates,complete with satellite on top and flat panel TVs showing the game(s) on the front. I brought my grill the first game, and never saw the need after that .... you blame me?

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My first post ..... glad to be here ..
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dave. in TX
 
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jackthejester
Welcome to SMF and congrats on your great find !!! You have it looking good. I am positive someone will be along shortly that knows the history and has product knowledge of that smoker.
 
Welcome to SMF Dave. Congrats on the snag. Been seeing a lot of good deals being grabbed up off of craigslist lately.
 
funny you say that .... I just got the PDF format and printed it, but haven't had a chance to read it all .. this'll give me an excellent place to start, understanding YourMileageMayVary - you guys have some amazing forum threads that have already been a big help in cleaning and readying the smoker to where I am now .. and learning quick!

.. so do you 'name' your smoker?? .. ;) - looking out the back window, with smoke streaming out the chimney it kinda looked locomotive-ish .. .Casey Jones, baby!
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.. gotta love a new hobby ... SMF looks to be a sweet community and resource ..

Thanks to you all ...

dave.
 
welcome... nice smoker and great refurb..
read up on the sight there is tons of info here and its easy to find.
We love pics here so post away..
 
Can't believe you stole that smoker from that nice little ol' lady!
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Amazing what a couple cans of high temp. black will do.
Keep that thing fired up and post some pics of your grub.
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dont know if its a OFFICIAL thing to do.......but there had been several christenings of smokers here.........

maybe ask for help on naming it.......get us ALL involved.......

nice.......ahhhh........steal............heheheh


dude
 
Welcome Jack -

Great deal you got there and a fine job cleaning her up! Many of us name our smokers. It's a great hobby! Enjoy!
 
Welcome to the SMF Family
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Great find & gald you jumped in love the Q-view keep em coming
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I don't know much about the NB but I am sure someone will be along to give you the info you request.
 
Welcome to SMF, and nice smoker refurbish. It looks a lot like the one the welders in Kansas made me on their smoke break on a job we were on. Too bad I never did get the barrel portion cut open and eventually passed it on to a neighbor when I couldn't get it finished up. Now I wish I had kept it.

Lived in Fort Worth waaaay back when I was a teen, but I"m sure it's where the brisket was best.
 
Welcome Dave, you have landed on the best smokin' site in the world! Nice refurb on the NB... may it give you many years of great service!
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Have fun!
 
Hi Dave!...Welcome to the SMF!...
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...Glad to have you Aboard!...You're gonna like it here!...

Great job there!...Ya got yourself a real winner!...
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Glad you've joined the SMF. I like the pics, how about some Q View in the future?
 
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