All this for a little pig picking!!!

[Capt-D]

My son Liam turns one on June 28th. For his birthday party I was actually able to talk the boss into letting me roast a pig. I decided on getting a 120lber to feed the 40-50 people that we plan on inviting.

Of course in traditional "D' fashion, I couldn't just dig a pit to roast the pig. No, I decided that this is a great excuse to build the three in one grill that I have wanted to build for a long time. I have wanted to build a Grill/Chargrill Smoker/Cold Smoker capable of handling any get together I ever want to throw! Hence the 275 gallon heating oil tank. First thing I did was find a heating oil tank on craigslist (its actually amazing how many free tanks are on there at any given time). A friend of mine and I picked it up Thursday night and the fun began.

First thing I did was empty all remaining fuel oil (about 4 gallons, surprisingly clean) and give the oil to a buddy for his system. Then I removed the fill, vent, fuel level gauge float, and pick up lines attached to the drum. Then I cut 1/4 of the tank to make the lid. With the lid off I was able to clean the remaining oil and the little sludge left in the tank. That left the tank ready for the beers and fire! Last night we built fires on each section of the tank to burn off any remaining oil residue and also assist in the paint removal. Of course it was an excuse together some friends and share beers and conversation around a large fire. When we finshed for the night (or morning for that matter) we consolidated the coals into the large section and covered placed the lid to finish baking the oil residue and paint off the tank.

When I woke up this morning the embers were still warm, but they seamed to work wonders for he paint and oil residue.

After cleaning the coals out I placed/set the tank up on the old trailer (I will weld it perminetly to the trailer a little latter in the project) that a buddy donated to the cause, and went to town welding the hinges and some structural members to the tank. I cut and ground fluh the areas where the legs were attached. Finally, I was able to install the lower coal grates (out of 3/4" opining expanded metal) before stopping for the night.

Below are some pics of the progress . I plan on mounting a seperate fire box that I will then pipe into the side of the grill and a damper systm to spread the smoke through the grill when I use t as a cold smoker. I will paint the entire thing with black high temp pain and plan on mounting it to the trailer. So in the end I wll have grill and will travel!

Hope you like my project. If you do, I willl post more up as I go.

-D

[JD5652]

D-

VERY NICE!!!.....I had one just like that a couple of life times ago......If you need any help cristening that baby JD Sytle you let me know......she looks like she'll hold a 250# 'er easy.....

[Capt-D]

JD,

Any time your up for a road trip! Aslo anyone going to be around Severna Park, Maryland on June 30th is more than welcome to crash the party!

JD/Glenn,

I will need to get a recipe from ya for some good old "Eastern" North Carolina BBQ Sauce. And I want the real one. The one that is Slap Ya Momma Good!

-D

[PurpleGold]

Looks like a sweet cooker and a great excuse to hang out and drink beer.

Enjoy!!

[JD5652]

Originally Posted by Capt-D

JD,

Any time your up for a road trip! Aslo anyone going to be around Severna Park, Maryland on June 30th is more than welcome to crash the party!

JD/Glenn,

I will need to get a recipe from ya for some good old "Eastern" North Carolina BBQ Sauce. And I want the real one. The one that is Slap Ya Momma Good!

-D

D-

I'm on the road right now....but I'll get you something...but you know I'll have to change an ingredient or two and a leave out at least one secret....

[WAHOONBOX]

NOW THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!


WAY TO DO IT DENNIS!

[Glenn W]

I'm so dang proud, I don't know what to say.

I'll PM you by recipe.

[JMS-ILM]

you need to add a side burner to cook your grits......

[Dave Sikorski]

and fire is always a good time.

Great project D. reminds me of a few summers ago when I helped a buddy make one.

Keep us updated on the progress.

-D

[Capt-D]

I welded a couple more angles to it last night to get it back square. The biggest problem I (other than taking a cutting wheel to the belly OUCH!) have had was the thing wanted to splay apart when I cut it open. To fix it I have had to add an angle to each edge that I cut to straighten things out.

Originally Posted by JMS-ILM

you need to add a side burner to cook your grits......

HAaah! I hoe to add a double burner if we have room on the trailer, but it sure wont be for GRITS!

-D