cgl Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Finally, after staring at KK website for years I have decided to bring a 32" alias "The tank" home. I order the tank, the pizza stone and basket splitter for now. The tank will arrive today around 3 PM so I have a lot of homework to do prior to it s arrival. I have the crew of 3 buddies on mine lined up to arrive at 4:00 to help move the smoker to the backyard. Of course, beer, tequila and music and obviously some cuts marinating in the fridge are ready to go. Finally my outlook calendar is blocked from 3 to 6 - sorry customers but no TLC after 3:00! No need for any interruptions during such important celebration. Next steps is to think of a way to move the Big Tank to my backyard. I read that most people get two sheets of plywood to move the smoker from point A to point B. I was thinking of hitting a buddy of mine who sells rack equipment to let me borrow a couple of pallet rollers so I can lay them on the ground - this would make this chore much easier. The challenge is locating him first at a last minute notice. I am looking forward to meet all you through this website and hopefully some of you, I will get to meet in person. CGL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryan Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Put it on a cheap Harbor Freight trailer and roll it. Then lay tongue down for ramp if needed. Don't return trailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacKenzie Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Welcome, CGL, this is such an exciting day for you. I hope it all goes smoothly. Friday couldn't be a better day for it to arrive. You'll have all weekend free (I hope.) to admire, do the break in and to cook. Don't forget to do the arrival pix and your first cook. We'll be watching for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5698k Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Congrats on your cooker, you got the best!! Make sure you read up on the crate, it's designed well also, and follow the high heat burn in instructions. This isn't a big deal, it actually allows you and your grill to get acquainted. As already stated, pics please! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyR Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Welcome. Take you time and care with your new Tank as it may be big strong but also slightly delicate and you dont want to get it scratched up Looking forward to the first pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckreef Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Can't wait to see some pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Lots of Pics - uncrating, grill moving, cooking - we want to see it all!!! Good luck with the move! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyfish Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 Congratulations on the tank. My uncrating is still fresh in my mind from a few weeks ago. Probably a little late but three sheets of plywood is better. The tank is an appropriate name since its built solid like a tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoFrogs91 Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 Congrats from a fellow Texan. I'm in the Houston area. Sounds like a fun weekend ahead. We like lots of pictures and shout out if you have questions. I can't wait to see the tank in it's natural habitat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeramicChef Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 CGL - welcome to the world of KK! I have a 32" myself, TheBeast, and I can tell you from experience you're about to fall in love! Big time congrats on your decision! I can't wait to see pics of The Tank. Again, welcome aboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgl Posted July 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Finally, I have a chance to sit down and tell all of you about the arrival of my the beast aka The Tank. Needless to say it was an adventure getting The Tank to its final destination. A 20' foot tractor trailer showed up in front of the house right at 3:00 PM CST. I was there ready and anxiously waiting for The Tank to arrive. Once the driver rolled up the door of the trailer, he took a glance at the crate and then looked at me and said "this is by far the largest and heaviest freight that I have moved so far as a driver". I said to him sarcastically- "no worries, it will also be the freight you roll the longest from the curb to its staging destination". We both laugh. The challenge was to get The Tank from its staging point (driveway) to its final destination in the backyard BEFORE the lovely wife arrived from work. I really needed her to see the final product without the experiencing the initial ordeal of seeing a bunch of klutzes trying to move 1/2 ton of concrete and metal in a big box - if you know what I mean. Friends started trickling in around 5:30 PM CST; I had enough time to go rent a pallet jack and get a couple of plywood sheets in the interim. BTW, I recommend you get at least 3 sheet of plywood - once you get the crate moving, the last thing you want to do is stop it to leap frog one sheet of plywood at a time...and if you have to make turns on the way to your final destination, a 4th sheet comes in handy, this way, you can use 3 sheets for vectoring the KK and the 4th sheet for making wide turns - if you are using a pallet jack. In my case, I probably could have reduced the time to move the KK in half. 1 Hr and 15 minutes plus and 9 beers later. (3 cans/person). We had a great time and friends were amazed by the looks and quality to the Tank. We all contributed to the 'Summer" cookout outing "calendar" weekend over weekend, One of my friends, Raphael wants baptize his son "in the Tank" and later cook for all the invitees; the other friend wants to use The Tank as a "tornado shelter', and the rest of us just want to cook and figure out ways to make the best of it this summer. have attached a few photos for your enjoyment: the arrival of the KK, staging the crate in my driveway, dismantling the beast; curing the KK for the first time and setting it to the final destination. At the end, friends used the excuse of helping me out to come together and thanks to them, The Tank was setup for the anticipated weekend family gathering! Also kudos to Denise for helping out with the logistic of the expedite shipment. If you are on the fence wondering if getting a KK is worth it, in my case, I decided to get the 32" KK for my wife and I can say I have no regrets other than I should have bought the KK sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony b Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Congratulations on a successful move and setup!! Now, where's the food porn??? We want to see the pictures of that virgin cook! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacKenzie Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Wow, it is gorgeous, and your friends have quite the sense of humour. Didn't get a shot of your wife as she saw "The Tank" for the first time, did you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinyfish Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Congratulations. ..my delivery driver made similar remarks and I only have a 23". I cant imagine how heavy the tank is or how big the tank is in person. KK's have a certain presence about them, thats for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoFrogs91 Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryan Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 There goes your summer. Was it worth the wait??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveyR Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Congrats and glad that it arrived safe and sound<br /> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilburpan Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Congratulations! You’re going to love cooking on the Tank. So will your wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgl Posted July 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Thanks for all the comments posted here. I will address most of them in my comments below: Food Porn Pixs? Well, we only have one (attached here) grilling a few steaks; I am not known for taking pictures, even when I go on vacation. I will tell you though, that so far, I have thrown a few steaks, prawns, lamb chops, pork chops, burgers and a big block of brisket all coming out very nicely and juicy. Instructions - Never read them until after I dismantled the crate. I highly recommend to read instructions before even moving the crate. I would have done things a little different - smarter for sure. Moving the crate with a trailer? - Looked into it but the trailer would fit through the gate, using a pallet jack was my best choice at the time - I still feel that way. If I had to do it all over again I would take the crate apart while in the driveway and roll the Tank to the back yard with the assistant of my friends instead of hauling the entire crate to the backyard with a pallet jack. Curing - Scary moment but it turned out to be a good thing. Again, read the instructions and you will know exactly what to do. Wife cooking with The Tank - that will never happen; on the other hand, you will never see me near the inside kitchen. We know and respect our boundaries. She does however enjoy see me showing off The Tank to our friends and family. Was the waiting of the Tank worth it? I expedited the freight and I got lucky that it took only 2 days and change to get it delivered. Definitely, it was well worth it. Thank you all for the cheering, suggestions, support and welcoming. I will make sure to pass it forward. CGL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeramicChef Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 cgl - Wow! Keep that picture of that pristine white interior because it'll serve as proff in a couple of weeks of cooking that The Tank was indeed white in the inside! Mega congrats on getting everything set up and ready for cooking! Your were one very busy KKer! Now all you have to do is your burn in where you get The Tank up to about 450-500° for about an hour or so to get the few gasses left in the elastomeric holding your tiles on to offgas and everything will be set forever! Just read the instructions in the owners manual and you're good to go. At the end of the burn in, think about searing off a few NY Strips for dinner as a reward for a job well done! Once again, welcome to the KK Club and congrats on giving The Tank a great home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...