Pit Maintence

[75fordfan]

Anybody got any advice on " pit care " I recently built a rig on a trailer, although i keep it covered, i am starting to get rust on the firebox. Now it's not a problem in repainting... but what else can do to prevent this problem

[Anonymous]

I keep my firebox oily with peanut oil or similar. I fill a spray bottle with the oil and spray the firebox and the inside of my pit down real good and then burn a few logs to get her hot enough to expand just a little bit. I basically just season the crap out of my firebox.

[Race R Us]

hey 75fordfan, you got any pics of your pit you want to share.

[JamesB]

Keep the firebox oiled... before and after a cook and it will turn out like a nicely seasoned skillet... you will still get a little bit of rust ifn ya keep her out in the elements, but keep her oiled and you won't have any real problems...

Heck, try frying a bit of bacon on it from time to time... works for us...

http://www.bennett-family.com/pics/****/ranch_party_04/photos/Dscn1072.jpg

James.

[gatorpit]

I spray with cooking oil as Fatz mentioned. I don't do the insisde though. Works great. Firebox is nice and clean looking.

[gordo]

I dont really put alot into pit maint.- I wash the inside out at the car wash after 3 or 4 cooks, but just hose it down after each cook. What others said about firebox, keep it oiled up- I paint mine couple times a year- but it burns off- think only way to keep paint on it is go to a insulated box. I dont worry much about rust, other than looks, figure 1/4 inch steel wont rust thru in my lifetime, and hope to be around alittle longer- Ive only had my pit 6 years, but it was built 13 years ago, and seen alot of meat go thru it...

Merry Christmas to All
gordo

[TexLaw]

I keep mine well oiled (outside only), and I keep a can of high temp spray paint around for touch-up jobs. I figure that's quicker and easier than a full repaint job.


TL

[Buckeye]

75.....oil that puppy down after each cook.....(wait bout an hour after tha fires out, an it's jus warm enuff ta put yer paws on fer bout 3 seconds).....Maybe ever 3-5 cooks u kin touch up with sum high heet spray paint....( I've uzed Krylon).....I'm gunna try sum stove paint......even tho it's a flat paint...tha oil shood make it nice an purdee like.

[jshively]

I find that if I dig the pit deep enough and put a bathroom in the corner then she can't get out of the pit and actually starts really upkeeping the pit herself. My last "tenant" actually went ahead and dusted, swept, and scrubbed the pit almost daily.

Oh wait this was not about how to keep a woman in a pit was it.

If the rust is outside rust I use a drill wire brush attachment and hit the area and then use high temperature paint on it. Rust is going to be inevitable just nail it before it gets big. Also I normally will spray the inside down with cooking spray every couple cooks(of course you actually have to use the grill first off).

[Texana]

In your case maybe you should just concentrate on keeping a woman?
:0:)

[Woodman]

JB, I love the bacon frying idea! Throw on some taters for me will ya! Woody

TexLaw, Welcome to the "Best Little Forum in Tejas!" Don't bust us! :wink:

[JamesB]

[quote="Woodman"]JB, I love the bacon frying idea! Throw on some taters for me will ya! Woody

http://www.bennett-family.com/pics/****/ranch_party_04/photos/Dscn1071.jpg

Hum, we cook eggs on it too, but ain't even thought to try taters ON the fire box... might have to give some hash browns or sum such a go next time out...

James.

[Race R Us]

looks good james......

welcome to the forarm texlaw :D

[TAR RIVER RAT]

Looks like that firebox does not have time to rust. :)
Tar

[Texana]

3 Sunny side up please with a rasher of Bacon .... Crisp ......

[TexLaw]

Thanks for all the welcomes, Woodman and Race.

James, I am loving your "hybrid" cooker, there. You better believe I'll be trying that next week.


TL

[jshively]

In your case maybe you should just concentrate on keeping a woman?
:0:)

Got to keep them somehow.

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[Buckeye]

In your case maybe you should just concentrate on keeping a woman?
:0:)

Got to keep them somehow.
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Stop uzin that dutch oven an they mite jus stick a round :twisted: :twisted: :shock:

[jshively]

In your case maybe you should just concentrate on keeping a woman?
:0:)

Got to keep them somehow.
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Stop uzin that dutch oven an they mite jus stick a round :twisted: :twisted: :shock:

Tried that and it never worked now I have resorted to kidnapping. I am going for the approach where they will fall in love with their captor. Only problem is it takes a good couple of months to find out if they are and then I have to erase their memories. Getting tricky maybe time to go to online dating or something.

[Cal_BBQ Pit]

Thats a great idea with the bacon and eggs!! :D 8)

[JamesB]

James, I am loving your "hybrid" cooker, there. You better believe I'll be trying that next week.


TL

If you do get a chance to try it, let us know how it worked for you... The firebox on this smoker is 1/2" plate, so it does pretty good in griddle mode...

James.

[Woodman]

I, (well, Klose) just started construction of my new pit, but I don't think I'll be fryin anything up on that insulated firebox. After a day like yesterday up here in Cleveland, I think it was the wise and prudent decision to go with that design option:wink: This morning it is about 5 degrees. The grease in Texas Hottie I's belly is most congealed! Woody

ps, I will miss the option of heating the wood on the firebox lid though.

[gordo]

Good morin WOODMAN!!! wife told me I aint gettin nothin for Christmas, cause I aint been nothin but bad!! ha -From others Ive talked with, that insulated firebox cuts your wood burnning in half- hav a good one Sir

later
gordo

[Woodman]

Mornin Gordo! Yeah, that wood consumption is a great benefit as well! Add in the gas assist and I figure I can cook on 20 briskets with 3 sticks of oak :wink: Woody

[JamesB]

I, (well, Klose) just started construction of my new pit, but I don't think I'll be fryin anything up on that insulated firebox. After a day like yesterday up here in Cleveland, I think it was the wise and prudent decision to go with that design option:wink: This morning it is about 5 degrees. The grease in Texas Hottie I's belly is most congealed! Woody

ps, I will miss the option of heating the wood on the firebox lid though.

Ain't no stinkin need for an insulated firebox... At least here in Tx... Even in the coldest weather that we get, I ain't got no problem keeping temp... Might take a stick or two more than norm to get the pit to temp, but once there...

Now ifn I lived in the great white north like some of ya'll, I'm sure I'd have a different opinion... Dunno how some of ya'll exist in those temps... Bet your gonna love that Klose! Be sure to get some pics of her when Dave gets her built...

James.

[Woodman]

Will do James!