Time for an update with pics.
Here is the final welds on the end cap above fb, and the fb connections to the rf plate.
Finishing the side air vents on the fb
And the upper vent on the fb door.
All the vent handles are temporary; I just wanna blow some smoke!!
And we need a drain. Picture of the top of the drain welded into the rf plate. Drain pipe is too long. I will cut it down.
Can't blow smoke without a stack.
And some thermometers. More on these in a minute.
Latch for the firebox.
Grate installed in the firebox.
Drain cut down to proper size.
And this pit is ready to be fired up for the first time!
This is how I fire my pit. 1 minute on high flame on the charcoal and away it goes. No lighter fluid in the pit, ever.
So, the pit is all sprayed down on the inside with oil to season it and the fire is started. I thought that I was having a problem with steady temps in both sides of the cooking chamber...
They appeared to run about 15 degrees difference. But when it got to a high temp...
They are running the same. My best guess is that these two cheapo thermometers are not accurate. I will use them just as a simple guide anyways. I will be running digital temps in the cc and the meat.
The smoke was blowing so thin blue that it doesn't show in the camera.
Here is the end result of the seasoning; just what I was looking for. I fired it up to 450 and just let it run itself out.
After the first firing, I am so impressed with the way that this pit runs. It is very responsive to temperature adjustments with the air vents. I will be playing with it today, rolling up my first fatty ever and cooking it up. I will post pics later.
Although this pit is able to be used now (FINALLY!), it is not quite finished. I have some additional grinding, handle mods, service tray, paint, etc. to still take care of. But I can cook on it!
Thanks so much to all of you so far that have offered up your invaluable advice and support. And thanks to all of you other builders that share your builds in the forum for us to see and learn from.
Happy Smoking and see you soon.
Keith