cruzmisl Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Hi All, My draft door handle burned out so I thought I'd pimp my friend who is a welder to manufacture something that may work better. I have to go to work so haven't mounted it yet and tried it so not sure how well it will work. Any thoughts? Here is a pic,
Sanny Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 Neato! I'd still wear a mitten to turn it, if the cooker is cooking.
cruzmisl Posted July 25, 2009 Author Report Posted July 25, 2009 I'm thinking the spring will dissipate enough heat where I won't need a glove. Who wants to wear a glove?
Firemonkey Posted July 25, 2009 Report Posted July 25, 2009 I think the spring will stay cool enough, too... Cookware has even more metal connecting the handle to the pan, and it stays cool enough so the spring should be fine. But you better be really careful not to touch that nut on the end of the rod
Fetzervalve Posted July 26, 2009 Report Posted July 26, 2009 I'm with my cousin (the primate) the rod will get hella hot (I suspect), but won't burn out!! I hope the updated knob from the Linkmeister will fix it, 'cause it looks waaay better. (no offense to your welder friend)
Conodo12 Posted July 26, 2009 Report Posted July 26, 2009 I'm diggin' it - it's got that nostalgic look from the old wood ovens! Let us know how it works!
cruzmisl Posted July 26, 2009 Author Report Posted July 26, 2009 Well, don't blame the looks on my friend. He only did what I told him to do I got some stainless springs designed for BBQ handles off the net and thought I'd give it a try. The wood is nice but the new firebox heats the hell out of the draft door area. I think it will look pretty good once its installed. Actually, any hunk of stainless looks good to me. The true test is to see if it works. I just got home from work so I'll give it a whirl in the am.
cruzmisl Posted July 26, 2009 Author Report Posted July 26, 2009 The temp was above 1000f before I opened the lid. And the handle is cool I think it matches the look of the cooker once installed. and as a bonus the little knub on the end remains cool too
jdbower Posted July 26, 2009 Report Posted July 26, 2009 Good job! Aesthetically I think I'd consider painting just the spring section black on a black cooker to help break up the stainless wall of the lower draft door, but I'd leave the nub and the shaft stainless. I think Rustoleum has a high temp spray paint that would probably be perfect, assuming, of course, that the spring is still removable. But then again there's a good reason I'm not a decorator and my wife picks out my clothes so what do I know about taste! Either way a nice looking solution and glad things stayed cool for you.
Firemonkey Posted July 26, 2009 Report Posted July 26, 2009 Sweet! You have to love it when a plan works out! At least your door is still bright and shiny. My door is all yellow because it gets so damn hot down there!
cruzmisl Posted July 27, 2009 Author Report Posted July 27, 2009 Thanks! The stainless steel spring is welded to the stainless rod which was then tacked to the door. The spring itself is not welded to the damper to minimize heat transfer. It was actually amazing the handle was cool but the heat emanating from the holes was pretty darn hot. The black paint idea is interesting but it can't be disassembled without grinding and cutting. Having said that, I'm always concerned with painting stuff like this. Every time I do, it peels or chips. Given the harsh conditions I think leaving it raw is best. I'd consider powder coating it but I had the guy redo it once already and I'll be eating the handle if I ask him to redo it again Draft door is shiny because of Barkeepers Friend
cruzmisl Posted July 29, 2009 Author Report Posted July 29, 2009 Did some grilling for a few hours tonight. I thought I'd post this pic to illustrate how cool the handle stays. The handle design works really well. Me likey
ThreeDJ16 Posted July 29, 2009 Report Posted July 29, 2009 Did some grilling for a few hours tonight. I thought I'd post this pic to illustrate how cool the handle stays. The handle design works really well. Me likey Very nice mod dude! It is always cool to see home grown ingenuity pics on the forum! -=Jasen=-
DennisLinkletter Posted August 10, 2009 Report Posted August 10, 2009 Follow thru... Trust me, there is nothing I love more than a new idea that makes or has the potential to make KKs better.. The spring behind the airflow dial is a home run and I'm sending them out to ALL my previous customers along with new knobs and a larger, gentler rear spring. I'm playing with this wound spring design and also realized the bolt which conducts heat to the end of the handle could be terminated at the base. You can see this on the coil on the right.. It's obvious that lots of heat comes blasting thru the dials holes.. I just made up this lil' "heat shield" modification for the ash screen.. I'll give it some heat this week and see how well it does..
cruzmisl Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Posted August 10, 2009 Looks good. I had a plan to buy some stainless ball bearings and have my friend weld it to the end of the spring. I think it would be more decorative that way and look "finished". He hates making these though so he'll likely want to punch me in the mouth when I ask him:)
Amphoran Posted August 11, 2009 Report Posted August 11, 2009 Rats! I was going to ask you what he might charge to make up a few....
DennisLinkletter Posted August 12, 2009 Report Posted August 12, 2009 What's wrong with mine? Rats! I was going to ask you what he might charge to make up a few.... What's wrong with mine? I guess we could call it Even Steven for the yeast..
