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Eleven Hundred Miles In 22.5 Hours

Last Thursday I asked my wife what was planned for this weekend. It was open. Here's a little tip, don't start randomly looking at smokers states away! Minnesota has a pretty sad selection of smokers on Craigslist. So I went to Kansas City, Missouri Craigslist to look at smokers. Man I wish I had money! Some nice big rig smokers for sale. Next thing I know I'm in Topeka, Kansas Craigslist still looking at smokers. No intention of purchasing a smoker but more less dreaming. I did come across an ad for "The Good One" smoker. I've had my eye on The Good One - Marshall smoker for years. I even found a fantastic price for one in KC but let it pass as I can't justify the lump consumption it takes for the wife and I. What I did find is their smaller backyard smoker called "The Good One - Open Range". Oh crap. Do I really tell the wife that I'm thinking about running down to Kansas from Minnesota to buy a smoker? Hell yeah I do!!!

My wife was down for the trip. We left at 4:45am Saturday morning. Things went smoothly going down to Kansas. Except for a few miles where it was a complete whiteout with winds pushing snow from open farm fields. The first stop was at Dunkin Donuts. My wife's only request for the trip. (We don't have them in Minnesota) From there we had another 99.9 miles from KC to Emporia Kansas. I thought this picture below is kind of funny. Within 20 seconds of being able to see the Kansas City skyline I get stuck behind a Silverado hauling a big smoker pit. Too awesome!
  
Once finally meeting up with the seller of the smoker he explained how his wife's ex father-in-law use to compete in the American Royal with it and a few other smokers. Apparently he sold off his other smokers but kept this one. He gifted it to his grandson which he apparently didn't want. So I bought it from his Dad since he said he didn't have the time for it. (He had two pellet smokers under the awning) Score for me. It definitely needs some love. It's still solid yet but definitely seen some outdoor elements. (Apparently it's been under some type of screen porch all of its life) I can see the potential but I will need to put some major elbow grease to get it there. If I can save 5/6th the price of new I'm down for a restoration. Apparently The Good One smokers is what Chris Marks, 8-time Grand Champion of the American Royal smokes with. Will I become Chris Marks with this smaller version of the smoker? No, but gives me some drive to get this old smoker some life again!

After picking up the smoker I found a guy who owns a fruit tree farm. I ended up buying 100+ pounds of peach smoking wood from him. Great guy who showed me around his peach trees and taught me a lot about them. (Never seen a peach tree before) The smoke wood is still green yet but should be ready to go next summer.


I meet one of my old roommates who lives in Kansas City for some grub. We ate at Q39. I tried the brisket, ribs, and sausage. My wife got the brisket and burnt ends. I really liked their bbq sauces. The food itself I thought was okay. I had bigger hopes for hearing positive reviews and how packed the place was. My buddy said he went once before and thought it was okay the first go around. 


The plan was once we got into Des Moines we would feel out how driving another 3.5 hours would be. What we read or heard on the radio was heavy snow north of Des Moines into Minnesota and snow would let up around noon today. So it was either to fight sleepiness and the start of the storm or battle heavier stuff tomorrow rested. I felt good and passed Des Moines. I'm not so sure we should have kept going. We hit some crap on the way home where it kept the interstate down to one lane. I did 80mph on the way down to Kansas on the interstate but was stuck doing on average 40mph with missing parts of the road under snow on the way up. Once we finally hit the Minnesota boarder it instantly got worse. (Go figure) Here's a picture of me pulling off and getting out of the truck just to clear my head.  


Before hitting the storm we had a rough estimate of arriving home at 12:30am. The storm pushed us closer to 2:45am. Got to love winter up north here. I did miss a good amount of snow this morning by skipping Des Moines. We ended up with 5.5" inches last night into this morning. 


Here's a little better shot of the grill. It needs to be wire brushed and repainted. Than reseasoned. Any tips or suggestions is more than welcomed for restoring it. Has anyone ever repainted a grill/smoker? Cough, Cough, @SGH , cough




"The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

Minnesota
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Comments

  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    Heckuva post V.
    Glad y'all made it back safe and sound.

    You did good bud, with a little of your tlc, she'll shine up real nice.

    You're gonna love burnin' sticks.  Great score on the peach.  Is that fruit tree farm close to home? 
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    Nice! I have seriously toyed with bringing those into our shop for years. Let us know your thoughts. Chris is part owner in the company now, I think. Good times ahead for you. 
  • Nice!
    Glencoe, Minnesota
  • Great post and journey... let us see yOur progress!!  Now you know her sweet spot to do this anytime!!  Dunkin
    Charlotte, NC - Large BGE 2014, Maverick ET 733, Thermopen, Nest, Platesetter, Woo2 and Extender w/Grid, Kick Ash Basket, Pizza Stone, SS Smokeware Cap, Blackstone 36"
  • Would be really nice if it was all tax deductible, wouldn't it? Thanks for sharing - nice story!
    Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Focker said:
    Heckuva post V.
    Glad y'all made it back safe and sound.

    You did good bud, with a little of your tlc, she'll shine up real nice.

    You're gonna love burnin' sticks.  Great score on the peach.  Is that fruit tree farm close to home? 
    Thanks! @Focker I needed something a little different. I bought a Bubba Keg from my friend a few months ago. He was insistent of selling it to me for $150 with a two month old Guru PartyQ. I couldn't say no. It needs a new latch, gasket, thermometer, and the band adjusted. I'm going to flip it next summer on Craigslist to cover this new project and the trip to pick it up.

    The fruit tree farm:
    https://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/5864945872.html

    I'm not sure how often you get to KC but the guy is worth a visit if you're around the area. One of the most sincere and genuinely nice guys I've ever met. 

    I ended up with 6+ buckets worth of peach wood for $25. I bet it's closer to 140 pounds of wood. 
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Nice! I have seriously toyed with bringing those into our shop for years. Let us know your thoughts. Chris is part owner in the company now, I think. Good times ahead for you. 
    Hey thanks! @pgprescott I so want the Marshall but can't justify the 16lbs of lump every 5 hours for the wife and I. The burn rate is actually pretty good for a large volume of food but not for a couple chunks of meat between us. So I'm thinking this Open Range will be the ticket. (This one I picked up is the P-30 model that eventually turned into the Open Range name) I'm looking forward to ribs with this. Will keep you posted on how it works. 
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Nice!
    Thanks! @sheetmetalpete
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • Geez....  Thats a lot of driving
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Great post and journey... let us see yOur progress!!  Now you know her sweet spot to do this anytime!!  Dunkin
    Thank you! @JohnnyTarheel Might be a few months before I can even start doing anything on it. This weather up here is no fun this time of year. I already got the kibosh about bring it in the basement without even me suggesting it. She knows me too well! =)
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Would be really nice if it was all tax deductible, wouldn't it? Thanks for sharing - nice story!
    I like how you think! @Skiddymarker
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • Congrats on the stick burner.
    Marshall in Beautiful Fruit Cove, FL.
    MiniMax 04/17
    Unofficial BGE MiniMax Evangelist
    Facebook Big Green Egg MiniMax Owners Group


  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited December 2016
    @WeberWho,
    You may want to get some quotes on sandblasting, at least the outside...then paint yourself.  Might be worth it, as you know, prep is everything.
    Interior will get layered with creosote during use, which is better than high temp bbq paint.

    Got a guy locally, that has taken good care of me through the years with SB and auto stuff.    
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    SloppyJoe said:
    Geez....  Thats a lot of driving
    The driving part wasn't too bad. Just need to push some pedals, turn a wheel, and shift some gears.  ;)=)
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Congrats on the stick burner.
    Much appreciated! @SaintJohnsEgger



    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Focker said:
    @WeberWho,
    You may want to get some quotes on sandblasting, at least the outside...then paint yourself.  Might be worth it, as you know, prep is everything.
    Interior will get layered with creosote during use, which is better than high temp bbq paint.

    Got a guy locally, that has taken good care of me through the years with SB and auto stuff.    
    @Focker That's what I was thinking. My dad has a sand blasting cabinet for the smaller parts but the body of the grill is too big. I know my dad bought a portable sand blasting unit to blast the wheels on his tractor. It might just be easier to have someone do it in a shop. Price won't maybe be too bad since it's only the outside. From the rest of the steps I'm not too sure. Do you prime before you paint? Roll/Spray the paint? What I've somewhat gathered is that you spray down the smoker with Pam while still warm to help season the outside and protect it from rust.  
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • Focker
    Focker Posts: 8,364
    edited December 2016
    We sold this by the quart when I worked in the paint dept, you could roll it on easy.  

    5 coats will add up though.  Maybe do two, then one here and there for maintenance.  Keep it out of the elements to last.

    They talked about warming it up, like CI, to open the pores..makes sense.

    Those fireboxes get so hot, they are destined to rust.  Pam may be your best bet here.

    I'm not sure on primer, by guessing, I doubt it.
    Brandon
    Quad Cities
    "If yer gonna denigrate, familiarity with the subject is helpful."

  • Screw refurbishing this, get some wood in her and jump on that horse.  You better get that meat slicer fixed soon. You will be needing it to slice up the beef you are going to cook. In my trailer smoker lately we have been cooking eye round, just need to not cook it too fast and too long.  Been pulling it at 138-140 and letting it rest. It slices great since the grain goes one direction.   

    Ps it looks like a great toy. You had me in the KC Craigslist looking and I need another smoker like I need another gun. 
  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,125
    Nice @blasting possibly could give you some tips on restoration/painting 
  • texaswig
    texaswig Posts: 2,682
    Most I've done is 700 in 12 hours.my house to Destin florida.  I don't plan on doing it again any time soon. 

    2-XLs ,MM,blackstone,Ooni koda 16,R&V works 8.5 gallon fryer,express smoker and 40" smoking cajun 

    scott 
    Greenville Tx
  • Congrats on the wonderful and productive adventure. We ended up with about five inches where I'm at, but saw a bunch of cars in the ditch last night while driving home from a show and I heard it was much worse to the south. Glad you made it home safely.
    Stillwater, MN
  • blasting
    blasting Posts: 6,262
    Nice @blasting possibly could give you some tips on restoration/painting 

    I've said it before @WeberWho,  I sure like the way you roll.  Very nice score on both the pit and the smokewood.  I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

    As far as the restoration, I'd agree with others who said to blast it.   I doubt you'd be looking at much more than a 100- 150 to blast the outside.

    High heat paint isn't something I know much about.  I just started to look into caliper paint for one of my own projects.  I do know that if you have access to a compressor and paint sprayer, you'll get a much better finish than a spray can or the rolling you mentioned.
    Phoenix 
  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,984
    What a great story and journey. Congrats on the purchase.
    The only way to confidently clean rust off of a surface 100% is bead blasting, you might be able to find a powder coating facility that will do this.
    They will also have access to high heat powder coatings as well.
    It will be expensive, but the cost would still be below mid point cost of a new one.
    Hope you have a ton of fun cooking with that.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • Great story!  Thank you for sharing.  I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with the stick burner and of course the inevitable food porn.
    Flint, Michigan
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Focker said:
    We sold this by the quart when I worked in the paint dept, you could roll it on easy.  

    5 coats will add up though.  Maybe do two, then one here and there for maintenance.  Keep it out of the elements to last.

    They talked about warming it up, like CI, to open the pores..makes sense.

    Those fireboxes get so hot, they are destined to rust.  Pam may be your best bet here.

    I'm not sure on primer, by guessing, I doubt it.

    SloppyJoe said:
    Geez....  Thats a lot of driving
    Thanks @Focker I was just watching Gator Pit videos on YouTube last week. Nice looking pits. Thanks for the tips. That high heat Rustoleum seems like the real deal
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    edited December 2016
    Firemanyz said:
    Screw refurbishing this, get some wood in her and jump on that horse.  You better get that meat slicer fixed soon. You will be needing it to slice up the beef you are going to cook. In my trailer smoker lately we have been cooking eye round, just need to not cook it too fast and too long.  Been pulling it at 138-140 and letting it rest. It slices great since the grain goes one direction.   

    Ps it looks like a great toy. You had me in the KC Craigslist looking and I need another smoker like I need another gun. 
    @Firemanyz  I need to keep on truckin with those slicers. It's currently sitting in a box disassembled. I guess my Dad needed his work bench back at work. =) Once my Dad finishes his work project I'm hoping to get back at it this winter. I'm jealous of your working slicer!

    Yep, been eyeing a couple guns myself. Thankfully I can't find them on Craigslist. ;)
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Nice @blasting possibly could give you some tips on restoration/painting 
    Thanks! @DoubleEgger
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    texaswig said:
    Most I've done is 700 in 12 hours.my house to Destin florida.  I don't plan on doing it again any time soon. 
    @texaswig The ride wasn't that bad but the last 3 hours sucked! 
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    Congrats on the wonderful and productive adventure. We ended up with about five inches where I'm at, but saw a bunch of cars in the ditch last night while driving home from a show and I heard it was much worse to the south. Glad you made it home safely.
    @StillH2OEgger Hey thanks! We ended up seeing 5-6 cars in the ditch. I had a couple idiots who decided to get out of their car and walk into my lane crossing the interstate. I just don't understand people sometimes. I was fortunate to see them in time. That got me pretty heated though. Needed a little break from driving after that. When talking to my coworker today he said we got closer to 9" of snow. I'm glad we pushed home when we did. Ugly at times but 3-4 hours later would have been much worse
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,008
    blasting said:
    Nice @blasting possibly could give you some tips on restoration/painting 

    I've said it before @WeberWho,  I sure like the way you roll.  Very nice score on both the pit and the smokewood.  I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

    As far as the restoration, I'd agree with others who said to blast it.   I doubt you'd be looking at much more than a 100- 150 to blast the outside.

    High heat paint isn't something I know much about.  I just started to look into caliper paint for one of my own projects.  I do know that if you have access to a compressor and paint sprayer, you'll get a much better finish than a spray can or the rolling you mentioned.
    Thanks! @blasting  I don't know the first about paint. I bought a Graco XR9 paint sprayer a few years ago for the house but have yet to use it. Not even sure a high heat paint would work with a sprayer like this. 

    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota