Smoker shack and my new PID

[Habanero Smoker]

Smokin Stu;
I've been in the process of designing mine for the last 18 months, and just started building the frame. If I understand you correctly, you are planning to set up the BS so you can slide it forward for easier loading and unloading. Part of my design was to put the BS on a sliding shelf. As you may have discovered; if you can't slide it beyond the cabinet it will be difficult to get the door open wide enough to comfortable load and unload the BS. I figure I would only need to slide it out approximately 6 inches; but trying to slide a fully loaded BS on wood blocks may be difficult to do.

Over the last year and a half I've been reviewing some hardware options. For a sliding shelf I was thinking of using either a drawer slide (first choice);
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17600
or the under mount style. They are zinc coated so should withstand the outdoor elements:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17281

or building a track, and setting the shelf on small nylon wheels; similiar to this, but I want something a little sturdier;
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=202

or using Nylo-Tape 20 mil Thick; but the load sliding over it may be too heavy. This is my last choice; but my use that for a sliding utelity shelf;
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=214

Hope this helps.

[smokin stu]

The racks I plan on building would be 2X2 wood on either side at the right distance so I can slide a BS shelf onto it as you would inside the BS. 

I know what you mean about opening the door in the BS shack.  I have the BS as close to the inside of the BS shack door as possible and with that you need about 4 inches from the side wall so the BS door will open without any interference with sliding trays in and out.  With that space opened up, that's where I store my BS shelves.

I never thought of a slider for the whole BS but that would solve the issue, but good.  It would be easier cleaning the shack out of wood chips that come off the BS pucks too. 

[Gizmo]

Many years ago I built a side by side stereo cabinet.  I regretted the drawer slides I put in as I wanted a different type but with 5 drawers, I couldn't justify the extra money for full extension plus 1 inch.  I wanted the plus 1 inch so the drawer would come completly out of the cabinet and the cassettes in the back would come out easily.  I made drawer inserts so each tape had it own compartment and would maintain its place.

I would suggest if you are looking for drawslides for the box that you would get the plus 1 inch type.  That might give you the extra space for the BS door to open fully when loading and unloading.  I did a quick search and found these.  1st is for a 16 inch slide, second is for a 20 inch slide.  They claim to have them in sizes 10",12", 14", 16", 18", 20", 22", 24", 26" and 28".  They are good for 100 lbs.

http://www.woodworkershdwe.net/servlet/the-414/Accuride-3832-Ball-Bearing/Detail

http://www.woodworkershdwe.net/servlet/the-408/Accuride-3832-Ball-Bearing/Detail

[Habanero Smoker]

Thanks for the links. They may come in handy in the future. Lee Valley is another good place to order hardware from.

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&cat=3,43614&p=43616

I haven't made up my mind yet as to what type of system to use. I will probably be going with Rockler. I've dealt with them in the past, and have to order other hardware from them when I go to place my order. Also I leaning more towards the undermount slides; without the self closing features.

For what I am building I would not need the plus 1", or to fully extend the shelf out of the cabinet. I just need the tray to slide out so the door of the BS is at least 6" beyond the cabinet wall. I'm hoping to get it completed by July. My only concern is that it may be top heavy. The dimensions are 3.5'x2'x5.5'; and it will be mounted on 4" casters. I can splurge on the hardware, because all the other materials are left overs for a recent renovation project.

[splitslim]

As promised, here are some pics of my first smoke.

Here is the setup, the shack on my deck.



From the side



Opened up



The victim...6 3/4lbs boston butt



After 17 hours in the smoker (4 hours of hickory), it's FTC time



And the finished product, nevermind the store bought sauce, I made the first bottle of mustard vinegar sauce, and it was great



All in all, a fantastic experience!  I really enjoy this thing, and look forward to my brisket point this weekend!

[Wildcat]

Very nice job all the way around!

[iceman]

Great set up SS. I didn't see the beverage cooler close by though? :o :D ;D

[splitslim]

Thanks guys...the beverages were in the fridge on the other side of the deck!

[Habanero Smoker]

Nice setup.

[smokin stu]

SWEET :o

That looks great Splitsim, even a bit familiar.  I like the hardware!  I stuck my smoker shack on a wooden table I picked up at a yard sale. I found not having to kneel down an added bonus and you don't spill your beer as much.

The locking bolt looks good too.  I'm a thinkin' I will do that as well.

The other thing I was thinking of is laying down some heavy grade platic or linoleum flooring along the bottom for easy cleaning of spills.

Looks great SS

[smokin stu]

SS,  I notice you have a bottle of Bullseye BBQ sauce in one of your pics.  I enjoy making my own sauce, but when I want a quick fix, that's all I use.  Bullseye really is good sauce.

[Cajun]

  Stu: did you find a prob to fit on the end of your thermocouple or just use it like it came in from your source??? I got one just like it but can't find the screw on probe  Thanks Cajun....

[smokin stu]

Ya it does look like its missing something, but it works just fine.  I put the end with the screw fitting in through the vent hole and presto it works great.

Love my PID