About a week ago, I sold a Weber Kettle and Santa Maria insert.
Found a custom builder (about 3 hours from Manassas).
Pa's Welding can be found on Facebook, he is in the process of building a 24 x48 Santa Maria Rig
it will include a Brasero, Front Door on the Firebox, Bar Handles on the ends, and a Bottom Shelf
Probably pick it up in a week or so.
Pretty excited
I was really surprised by the short "Lead" time.
He has been easy to work with and he was willing to adjust his standard unit to include the things I was looking for...
Lonestar Grillz 24x36 offset smoker, grill, w/ main chamber charcoal grate and 3 tel-tru thermometers - left, right and center
Yoke Up custom charcoal basket and a Grill Wraps cover.
22.5 copper kettle w/ SnS, DnG, BBQ vortex, gasket and stainless steel hinge kit.
Napoleon gas grill (soon to go bye bye) rotting out.
1 maverick et-733 digital thermometer - black
1 maverick et-733 - gray
1 new standard grilling remote digital thermometer
1 thermoworks thermopen mk4 - red
1 thermoworks thermopop - red
Pre Miala flavor injector
taylor digital scale
TSM meat grinder
chefs choice food slicer
cuisinhart food processor
food saver vacuum sealer
TSM harvest food dehydrator
I found Rocket Grillz on Facebook for my Smoker and now Pa's Welding for my Santa Maria
I search on Key Words ( i.e. Custom Smokers, Metal Fabricator, BBQ Grills. etc) I search Marketplace, "Reels" and the main FB Page. There are also dedicated pages for BBQ Smokers for Sale
Rocket Grillz had a bit of a Back-Log so I did not seriously pursue a Santa Maria option with Kearry (Owner & Welder) but we stay in touch...
I believe my smoker is on par with any of the high quality rigs available and the price point is significantly lower -especially when you consider shipping. I hope to be able to say the same thing about the Santa Maria
As an example I have a quote from Texas Ranch Grills ( www.TexasRanchGrills.com ) ~2400.00 not incl. tax and would be available in August (I like their SM!!). Pa's welding will be roughly the same size (Brasero on the side-not in the back like Texas Ranch) so I am sacrificing ~ 10 inches of grilling surface not getting V grates and I will lay the firebrick
BUT I am saving almost 1k and I know its 5 hours on the road (Round-Trip)- but for me it is worth it and I like supporting small shops and local artisans
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