A fellow that is new to The Pit sent me a private message asking about a way to auto-feed wood to a KBQ C-60.
I remember reading an old discussion/thread between KBQ and others regarding this.
Seems like it was on the public side?
Can't recall...
-
Mr. Karau has already given this much thought, so I am hoping he and others will add to this thread.
I TOTALLY get that the pellet smoking machines (AKA Pellet "Poopers") are easy... basically "set and forget" machines.
They have their place in the user and restaurant market.
-
The KBQ is a machine that needs to be fed much like a baby bird... I know this very well as I have my babies that I feed.
My wife and I take turns feeding my "babies".
I feed the "babies" for a few hours, then my wife feeds the "babies" for a few hours.
I get my sleep, she gets her sleep... it works for us.
-
An auto-feeder for my "babies" does seem sort of odd after years of feeding them every 25 to 35 minutes or so.
Some say they enjoy the babysitting, that is is relaxing and they are in "tune" with their KBQ machine.
I get that and understand that line of thought, really I do.
-
Still, the inventor in me knows that I could make a working auto-feeder... if I really wanted to.
That whole concept is something I've pondered for a long time. If and when he comes up with a way to at least cut the 1/2 hour or so feed times down to something reasonable, he will definitely have my attention. It's the main reason I have no interest in the KBQ.
I don't think it is possible with the current set up.
You can have a large stack of logs over the firebox, similar to a hopper. Then the logs fall down into the fire. But then all of the logs will just burn up, in the hopper while in the queue.
Even if you had a auto-feed system feeding the top, from the side, you would still have to manage the coal bed and the log placement. Not every log would roll in perfectly and not every coal bed would be maintained by simply dropping logs in. The coal bed must be managed.
The KBQ already cuts the learning curve by using a thermostat, trying to find a way to auto-feed logs into the firebox, having them all line up the way they should and having a automatic way to manage the coal bed seems to be too much. And kinda takes the soul out of the KBQ. I get the yearning for an auto-feed, but honestly that will kill the fun for me. Half of the experience is playing with the fire. Even if it was offered, I would pass hard on this one.
I think the KBQ would need some serious re-design to make it work. But I am no engineer, so I am sure Bill Karu can find some way to make it work. But again, I would pass on the "upgrade."
I agree 100%. I love sitting out there shootin' the...you know what...with a couple buddies putting back a couple beers while tending the fire. It has been one of the more enjoyable aspects of the KBQ. The ability to play with the fire, and coal management, but not have the learning and space use of an EOS.
I was going to say that with a log auto feed device that the KBQ would lose the "lid on" advantage. But after further thought, that could be engineered into that auto feed system. But this system would most likely cost as much as the KBQ itself, or more.
I like the KBQ design which holds temperatures nicely.
It is one less thing to worry about.
-
For years I used cheap off set smokers, tending the fire to get light blue smoke and trying to keep the temperature steady.
Never bought an Expensive Off Set (EOS) and now that I have the KBQ's the temperature watch and the careful smoke watch is basically over with and on auto-pilot.
-
The only thing left is the firebox feeding as the coal bed is actually monitored by the temperature alarms.
If any of the coal beds in my units get clogged, the temperature drops on that unit, and an alarm let's me know.
-
I run full fireboxes, and feed often so the coal bed does not generally get thin.
Just remember that open holes in the KBQ's coal tray means the smoke will not be quite as clean if it does not actually go thru hot coals, but as stated...
Aaron Franklin's brisket bark is built with over-the-fire smoke, period.
Last edited by BBQ_Bill; August 24, 2018, 06:53 PM.
Reason: Added more "stuff"
Am going to draw up a proto-type feeder.
I have three mechanical engineers and one master electrical engineer that I work with so lots of "brain power" at my disposal.
Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan- near Clare. (dead center of lower peninsula)
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
I've never seen the point in automating everything. I may be in a minority, considering this is the technological era, but BBQ is a reward for the work you put in. Like a paycheck. Earn your keep! If you buy a KBQ, feed the darn thing a small log every 25 minutes it won't kill ya. If you don't want to load logs, buy an auto-feed smoker. If you want the best flavor from a device that burns real wood sticks/logs, be prepared to do what it takes to run it.
JL Smokehouse has two custom built stick-burner smokers that go for 6 hours between wood feeds. He won't buy a "30-minute add" machine even though the KBQ product is better.
Grill/Smoke/Roast = SnS Grills Kettle + SnS Deluxe Insert & Drip n' Griddle
Grill/Smoke/Roast = Hasty-Bake Gourmet Dual Finish with HB rotisserie and Grill Grates
Smoke = Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5"
Pizza = Blackstone Propane Pizza Oven (Stacy's, but she let's me use it sometimes)
Indoor Cooking = LG Studio 30" gas range
Camp Cooking = Coleman 2 burner white gas stove
Thermometer = FireBoard FBX2 with 2 ambient and 6 meat probes
Thermapen Mk IV = Light blue
Thermapen Mk IV = Black
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Auber 20 CFM Fan (FB gen 1 fan)
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Fireboard 20 CFM Fan (FB gen 2 fan)
Knives
Wusthof Classic Ikon set: 9" carving knive, 2X 8" Chef's Knife, 7" Santoku and three utility knives
Kamikoto Kuro set: 7" Santoku, 6.5" Nakiri, 5" Utility
Amazing Ribs Brazilian Steak knife set
Favorite wine = whatever is currently in the wine rack
Favorite beer = Sam Adams Boston Lager or Shiner Bock
Favorite whisky = Lagavulin Distiller's Edition 16 year old single malt
Best Cookbooks - Meathead's "The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling", Chris Lilly's "Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book", Aaron Franklin's "Franklin BBQ"
Cookbooks to check out - Raichlen's "Brisket Chronicles" and anything by Adam Perry Lang.
Current fanboy cookbook - "Chasing Smoke: Cooking Over Fire Around the Levant"
I like to tend my cooker .... but the KBQ seems like a bit too much tending. Between 3 and 6 AM when I’m cooking brisket, I do like to snooze and get a few Z’s so I can get up and make the slaw and beans and stuff
Agreed. The robot that I designed and built to heat steel billets at work is timer driven, but the billets it heats are "clones". To make a timer type, the wood would need to be processed.
Pit Barrel Cooker Slow 'n Sear for 22" Kettle Weber 22" Kettle (Craiglist) Slow 'n Sear for 22" Kettle Weber Rapid Fire Chimney Maverick ET-732 Kingsford Original Charcoal
Kingsford Competition Charcoal
Anova Sous Vide
As more culinary robots find their way into commercial food prep, one restaurant in San Francisco called Creator is hoping to strike a balance between high tech and the human touch.
I've always pictured something with a slide more than a drop. Of course if the logs felt like rolling that would be fine. Presort your wood, much like presorting bags of pellets.
It would be an awesome smoker for my dad. It would just take a few cooks to know how many beers before a log addition is in order.
You are on the same "track" as one of my ideas.
A timer driven feeder for logs is out as explained by KBQ above. Gravity, and "as used/burned" is one of two directions that I am going with this.
Last edited by BBQ_Bill; August 26, 2018, 08:15 AM.
Reason: Grammar edit
If you get the slide steep enough to overcome friction, it will be steep enough for flame to crawl up the magazine. I already made that mistake for you.
If you don't want to load logs, buy an auto-feed smoker. If you want the best flavor from a device that burns real wood sticks/logs, be prepared to do what it takes to run it. 
Comment