Building a Cowboy Cooker (Fire Pit On Steroids)

Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » August 24th, 2014, 9:04 pm

Thought about building a brick fire pit, but I couldn't figure out where to put it so that it wouldn't eventually get in the way (I live on an average city lot). Solution, build a big ass over engineered excessively heavy steel fire pit. And, as long as I am building a big steel fire pit, why not weld on all kinds of gadgets and extra crap. Hence, how a cowboy cooker is born... Eureka! Here is the base, the end off of what I'm guessing was a 250 gallon propane tank 30" in diameter on 24" legs (sorry postin the build was an after thought, after several beers, that's why the legs and braces are already attached).

Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » August 24th, 2014, 9:18 pm

Here is another shot that shows the extent of the pit. At least I should be able to throw in big-ish hunks of firewood.

Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » August 24th, 2014, 9:22 pm

Had to put on some inspirational food.

Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » August 24th, 2014, 9:28 pm

So, I rolled a ring of 1/2" square tubing at Smokerbuilder HQ to make a foot warming rest on the side of the pit. This is how I laid the spokes out. I was really hoping I did my math right and the ring would fit after I welded the spokes on. Luckily all went well and the ring actually fit on.

Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » August 24th, 2014, 9:31 pm

Here is how the the project ended the night. Next step is to start adding cooking gadgets. To be continued...

SmokinFF · Post by **SmokinFF** » August 24th, 2014, 10:09 pm

Mike. This may have to be cut and pasted one day.

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » August 25th, 2014, 5:08 am

MTF that looks like a fun project getting off to a great start!!

Clover Ridge Smokers · Post by **Clover Ridge Smokers** » August 25th, 2014, 7:25 am

Nice build Forester. You must have had a ton of time to think about this build as you were fighting fires out west.

Post by **Big T** » August 25th, 2014, 9:55 pm

Post by **Rodcrafter** » August 26th, 2014, 6:31 am

The Czar · Post by **The Czar** » August 26th, 2014, 7:51 pm

Dude that turned out great!!!

Smokeone · Post by **Smokeone** » September 1st, 2014, 1:04 pm

Nice work MTF!

jpstodwftexas · Post by **jpstodwftexas** » October 7th, 2014, 10:07 pm

I give it

Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » October 26th, 2014, 6:49 pm

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Here is the last element of this build. I was given advice that a drain would be a nice addition, so why not make it big enough to use as a clean out? It is also designed so that it can be partially opened to get air flowing the fire rolling.

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Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » October 26th, 2014, 6:54 pm

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Here is the final product. It came out pretty good overall. I still have some additions planned such as a Dutch oven hook, but that may be a while down the road or I may decide I don't need it, only time will tell.

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Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » October 26th, 2014, 7:04 pm

One more item, and I know I am tempting the spammer hammer, but I ordered a Classic Accessories Veranda model cover for the pit. Of course I don't want to put time and money on this project just to allow it to be turned into a bird bath, so for $19 this seems like cheap investment protection and so far it seems really nicely built with decent canvas type material. I will definitely report back if it turns out to be junk.

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The Czar · Post by **The Czar** » October 26th, 2014, 8:14 pm

Dude that turned out nice

Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » October 26th, 2014, 8:34 pm

Thanks DC, it was a fun project.

Clover Ridge Smokers · Post by **Clover Ridge Smokers** » November 6th, 2014, 9:30 pm

Nice job Forester

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » November 7th, 2014, 6:45 pm

MTF that there's a keeper!

Post by **Rodcrafter** » November 11th, 2014, 5:44 pm

It is nice so much so that I had to use some of the design elements on the one I'm putting on my trailer rig. Good job! MTF

Miketheforester · Post by **Miketheforester** » November 11th, 2014, 10:29 pm

Thanks all.

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Post by **Tom_Heath** » December 9th, 2014, 12:06 am

That is pretty stinking awesome.

The Czar · Post by **The Czar** » December 16th, 2014, 5:52 pm

Isn't though? Not bad for a state worker...

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