Need some tips/tricks for the mini setup

Mac in NC

Hello all,[p]I've noticed over the last few weeks that several of you have a mini amongst your collection. I just received mine and was hoping that those with "mini expertise" could give me some tips or pointers so that I can learn its true potential. (YB, I've already taken your advise and purchased an extra grid. Just need to find a fabricator to make the ring you spoke of now.) How about a daisy wheel? Is there any way to make one that's affordable and functional?
Lastly, what kind of "nest" should I keep it in? I plan to use it quite a bit during the fall camping season and remembered seeing a post with one in a stainless steel wire crate. Looked interesting. [p]Thanks for your help! Mac

GaDawg

Mac in NC ,
You can easily make a daisy wheel out of 2 small tuna
fish cans. Empty them and wash them, then rivet the 2
closed ends together. One rivet, dead center.
Put some sacrificial wood in the bottom can and drill
a string of holes through both can bottoms. As you spin
the cans on the rivet, you change the size of the air openings. BTW, this is not my original idea, but I don't
remember who first posted it.
Chuck

Chef Arnoldi

<p />Mac in NC , i bought the smallest daisy wheel available & glued about 5 layers of felt on the inside to make a snug fit.
[p]i also made the Stainless steel ring that "YB" helped me with, and modified it by having 3 1/2" bolts spotwelded on the outside edge @ 120° appart to center the ring & also allowed me to screw in nuts to raose or lower the ring.
from a pizza stone i carved out a mini plate setter to rest on the fire ring to prevent burnig of the meat (chicken) and allowes me a place to put aluminum foli for a drip pan.
i you need any other info - e-mail me.
enjoy this wonderful smoker.

MickeyT

Chef Arnoldi,[p]Larry told me about your setup. Could you please e-mail me that picture? I would love to do the same thing.[p]Thanks.[p]Mick

YB

MickeyT,
I did mine here at work the same way Chef Arnoldi did his mini last week....The only difference is I used four 1/2" stainless steel bolts and nuts.Hope you had a great weekend at the lake...we did.
Larry

J Appledog

Mac in NC , [p]With a little practice & patience you can learn to control the mini temp using just the bottom vent. [p]Doughmakers makes some little pizza pans that are great for the mini. I even use them to make cookies on the mini when we go to Indy for F1 racing. Weber's little pans for collecting grease from their gas grills come in handy also as drip pans.[p]JCA

Mac in NC

J Appledog, Thanks!!! I'll look into those company products as soon as I get off work today. Mac