Newbie

Bebe

Bebe

New member
Hi guys
My first electric smoker came last week! Never used electric (i'm a charcoal guy, i own a bunch of Weber grills and smokers) so this a new experience for me. The #3 is still virgin, i'm burning it as we speak and i'll do the Auber auto-tune sometime this week.
Here's some pics i just took: Smoking-It #3
I'm looking forward to be part of the team :)
 
Welcome from ND Pete.

Boy you jumped right in and got your permanent probe installed and the rocker switch! Nice job.

Couple questions. What is the bottom rocker switch for?

Did you buy a different drip pan or did that come with the smoker? That is definitely different from what I have seen. It looks deeper and the handle is cool.
 
Hi Greg
Yes, it's a Vollrath 4" 1/2 size pan - Vollrath is thicker than other brands but any 1/2 pan will do it. I buy my stuff from webrestaurnatstore, you gotta pay shipping but prices are great. 4" is good 'cuz i can fit a disposable 2.5" (Costo, ~6 bucks for 30) so i don't bother cleaning it.
The pan and smoke box handles are from some servers (i'm an IT guy), i always keep those when we throw the old stuff away.
The switch underneath is for the yellow cord - that will be for the Auber - power is coming from SI power cord. The other yellow cord will go into the Auber. Top switch is an DPDT switch and cover (military grade, mind you :) ), so the heating element will draw power either from SI line or Auber line. SI light is connected to the same studs as the heater, light comes on no matter if i'm using SI or Auber. Maybe i should draw a wiring diagram and post it if any useful.
Tool hooks are some solid stainless cabinet knobs i got from eBay for $1.25 each...
 
Hi Pete and welcome from the Keys. That's an awful lot of mods for a smoker that has yet to be seasoned! I rotated my switch cover 90 degrees from yours so that when the cover is closed the toggle points towards the controller and the controller is in charge. Raising the cover and moving the toggle away from the controller means that the Auber controls. Just find it easier to remember that way. Like your dog.
 
Limey said:
That's an awful lot of mods for a smoker that has yet to be seasoned!....

... Like your dog.
Click to expand...
i'm the king of procrastination :) If i don't do it now who knows if i'll ever do it!
The cover i got can be closed no matter the switch position: https://www.bpbsurplus.com/xcart/MS27752-1-8498K6-Switch-Guard-Red.html
The one underneath, yes, i have to flip it to turn the power on and shuts off when close.

That's Fritz, spoiled rotten brat! My best buddy, won't let me be for 1 second!
 
Bebe said:
That's Fritz, spoiled rotten brat! My best buddy, won't let me be for 1 second!
Click to expand...
As long as we're all clear whom to blame for that.  LOL!  Another guilty as charged dog lover. 
 
Hey Pete, welcome from Kansas City, good looking shepard, and congrats on the #3 you will really enjoy it. I know I really enjoy mine.
 
Nice job on the mods, Pete, but you have confused the heck out of me with the 2 switch setup, with 2 power cords!  Just curious - how did you come up with that, and what's the purpose?  I mean, if you've installed a switch on top to select either the stock controller, or a bypassed smoker, why would you need a second power cord?  Either way, only one cord goes into the Auber.  Not trying to disparage what you've done, just trying to understand the reasoning behind it...maybe we've all been missing something! ???
 
Hi Toni,
Yeap, i realize is a bit confusing, i'll try to draw a wiring diagram and post it.... It took me almost the entire weekend to do it, those 2 bottom holes (3/4") burned 2 good bits and chew up a step bit pretty good.
One cord (with plug) it's a fork of SI power cord, with a regular SPST switch. The bottom switch is not necessary, i just wanted that cord to have power only when i want to - for Auber or whatnot. The other cord (nema 5-15) goes to the top DPDT switch from Auber (heater)

This way Auber is totally independent, it doesn't have to go through SI controller and limited to 250 degrees.
 
OK, Pete, but isn't that what the top switch is for?  If you have a switch to bypass the stock controller, doesn't that accomplish the same thing as a separate cord? 
 
true, but i dont have to plug the SI cord into the Auber and the Auber to outlet. SI cord will stay connected to power whether i use stock controller or the Auber. I can have the Auber hooked up and flip in btw SI and Auber w/o connecting/disconnecting any cords.
I was too cheap to buy a SJEOW power cord to replace SI stock cord, now i regret it... i won't open it again :)
 
Welcome from Texas Pete! Good choice in the #3. I've made a lot of good Q in mine so far with no mods as yet. Mostly just need a cart. I like your buddy, I bet he would like some Q too.  Good luck with your smoker.
 
drains said:
Welcome from Texas Pete! Good choice in the #3. I've made a lot of good Q in mine so far with no mods as yet. Mostly just need a cart. I like your buddy, I bet he would like some Q too.  Good luck with your smoker.
Click to expand...

Hey Dale you really need a cart for your smoker. I love the fact that I have carts for both smokers. No more getting on my knees to see what is going on.
 
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