Recently had a tree fall on my deck during a storm and it of course landed on my grill. Have any of yall had experience/advice on fixing up this grill? It's a real bummer, it was my first real grill I bought for myself and I'm still finishing up grad school.
Wow, sorry to hear about that. That’s a lot of damage there to the main components of your smoker. My guess is it’s beyond repair, even if it could be, it’d probably not be cost effective. My suggestion would be to bite the bullet and get a new one.
Last edited by Panhead John; February 2, 2022, 10:55 AM.
That looks like an OKJ made after they sold? The reason I ask is thickness of the metal? Is it closer to 1/8†or 1/4â€? If 1/8 you might be able to get resourceful with a bottle jack and wood blocks or something. I’m not a metal worker though. Maybe Henrik or one of the others that builds pits can offer some ideas.
I’d probably take a few pics to a local welder and see if they thought they could fix it and how much they’d charge.
Formerly upstate NY, Now residing in Southern NH, Live Free or Die!
My current cookers include a Shirley Fabrication 24x36 patio model; Weber Performer with the Slow-n-Sear 2.0 & Drip & Griddle; Pit Boss Series 2 propane smoker & SnS Travel Kettle.
Straight Whiskey: I'm a bourbon guy. All time favorite Pappy Van Winkle 12 year. Standard go to Blantons
Blended Whiskey: James Oliver American Whiskey
I also enjoy an occasional cigar
If not cooking outdoors, I am cooking on the stovetop with my 14" carbon steel wok, 12" CI skillet, or in the oven with my two Lodge CI pizza pans, or two dutch ovens. I've also got a nifty Lodge carbon steel grill pan that rocks for veggies outdoors.
Yeah, if your insurance doesn't cover it or the deductible is high (aren't they all these days?), I would start by seeing if you can use wood blocks and clamps to force the metal back into shape. If that's not possible, beat it out from the inside with a rubber mallet until you can get the lid close to sealing, and possibly add some gasket material to help it seal until you can get a new smoker/grill.
I warped the body of my 2 year old Weber gas grill due to a massive grease fire, at one end, to where the lid would not close. I was able to use two C clamps and two blocks of wood tightened down to bring it almost back into shape.
Last edited by jfmorris; February 2, 2022, 01:03 PM.
Appreciate everyone's suggestions! Looks like I'll just have to try to force it back and make-do with whatever monster I create. Whatever I can do to get back to grilling!
Its the highland offset smoker! Not the best but has served me well and got me started on grilling. I'll probably try to switch it up on my next one and try something else.
I think that can be fixed. You can bring to a local welding, fabricating shop. They have all sorts of tools that can at the very least get it close to where it was. I'm a grocery store carpenter/mechanic. I often have to bring things that have been rammed by fork lifts to a welding shop. I am amazed at some miracles they have pulled off.
Ouch. That one is not gonna be easy to six. If you (or someone else) is gonna pound it back out it’s gonna be a lot of work, even if you heat it up, which is a must. Personally I would sink my grinder in it and cut out the bent parts, and weld new metal in place. But take a few photos and bring to a local shop and ask them if they can fix it. Measure steel thickness before paying them a visit, they’re gonna want to know.
You can pound that back out. Heavy hammers, some hyd. jacks. You'd be surprised how a little elbow grease could round that back out. Might have to add some thicker gasket material, but I bet you could get it good enough to cook on. And remember, the creases and dents give you a great story to tell while standing around her, waiting for ribs!!
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