Let's Talk BBQ

Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Electric Smokers => Topic started by: Rummm on May 19, 2013, 01:37:41 PM

Title: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Rummm on May 19, 2013, 01:37:41 PM
Ok, let me say this conversion was NOT authorized by Primo  ???

Due to health conditions, I've not been able to be around charcoal dust or smoke for the past two years. It was killing me to see my grills sitting in my outdoor kitchen without being used. Sooooo............

I pulled the fire box out of my Primo Round and installed the guts of a Brinkmann Electric grill

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/newgrill1_zps2c3b9124.jpg)

Then I propped the cooking grate up with some ½ fire bricks

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/newgrill2_zps68b4af8a.jpg)

Smoke will be provided by pellets

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/newgrill4_zpsff37586f.jpg)

At my cooking level, temp will run about 250°  :)

I will be able to plug in the unit and be away from the smoke when it starts.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/0519ribs2_zpsee5785b4.jpg)

When the smoke stops, I can monitor it with no problem :)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/0519ribs1_zps53a3f9b4.jpg)

Just what I was hoping for :)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/0519ribs3_zps7dfd7696.jpg)
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: drholly on May 19, 2013, 01:39:13 PM
What a great idea and execution! Proof that necessity is the mother of invention. Look forward to seeing many cooks!
Title: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Pappymn on May 19, 2013, 01:47:42 PM
Making lemonade from lemons.....well done sir!
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: TwoPockets on May 19, 2013, 01:51:57 PM
Great idea! I have that same Brinkmann electric converter sitting in the garage. Been looking for some sort of cabinet or small fridge to put it in and make a smoker.
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: muebe on May 19, 2013, 02:09:48 PM
Very cool mod Rummm!

You related to Tommy? :D
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: sliding_billy on May 19, 2013, 02:14:10 PM
Brilliant.  I can't wait to hear how it holds temp and cooks.
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Rummm on May 19, 2013, 02:36:37 PM
Brilliant.  I can't wait to hear how it holds temp and cooks.

Might have to invest in a rheostat, as it was getting a tad warm at cooking level (295°). Unplugged the unit and foil wrapped the ribs, temp is holding in the ceramic at 240° for the past 15 minutes.
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Keymaster on May 19, 2013, 02:39:40 PM
Nice job Steve, you could control the heat with an Auberins pid if you want different temps.
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Rummm on May 19, 2013, 02:42:12 PM
Nice job Steve, you could control the heat with an Auberins pid if you want different temps.

Key, I'm old and usually by this time of day a little sloshed  :D ......could you say that in English please ;)
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: teesquare on May 19, 2013, 02:50:15 PM
What a great idea Steve. Keymaster and muebe ( and others I am sure ) can explain the Auberin reference better than I can but it is a way to add thermostic control to your electric element. It will solve the temp. issues for you.
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: muebe on May 19, 2013, 02:51:51 PM
Nice job Steve, you could control the heat with an Auberins pid if you want different temps.

Key, I'm old and usually by this time of day a little sloshed  :D ......could you say that in English please ;)

Here is one Rummm. The heating element would plug into it to precisely control temps. It can handle 1800watts...

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_28&products_id=206

Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Rummm on May 19, 2013, 02:54:14 PM
Thanks! "NOW" I get it  ;D
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Keymaster on May 19, 2013, 02:56:29 PM
Nice job Steve, you could control the heat with an Auberins pid if you want different temps.

Key, I'm old and usually by this time of day a little sloshed  :D ......could you say that in English please ;)
Here is the plug and play model http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=110  You can actually build your own for a lot less, Say 60 bucks. It will keep your temps +/- 1° F. And it could double as a secondary sous viddles cooker :)
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Rummm on May 19, 2013, 03:03:35 PM
Nice job Steve, you could control the heat with an Auberins pid if you want different temps.

Key, I'm old and usually by this time of day a little sloshed  :D ......could you say that in English please ;)
Here is the plug and play model http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=110  You can actually build your own for a lot less, Say 60 bucks. It will keep your temps +/- 1° F. And it could double as a secondary sous viddles cooker :)

No clue on building my own......BUT, the main reason for converting the Primo to electric was to smoke my meat for 30-60 minutes, cool it down and then sous-vide to finish it. Imagine, sous-vide with a smoke ring and a smoke flavor  :-*
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: TwoPockets on May 19, 2013, 03:16:20 PM
Brilliant.  I can't wait to hear how it holds temp and cooks.

Might have to invest in a rheostat, as it was getting a tad warm at cooking level (295°). Unplugged the unit and foil wrapped the ribs, temp is holding in the ceramic at 240° for the past 15 minutes.

It must the ceramic cooker giving those high temps. Those Brinkmann electric converters normally run at 200-205 degrees when you put them in a ECB smoker. Capt Jack uses one of these in his New Braunfels smoker and I think he runs at around 210 or so.
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: TMB on May 19, 2013, 11:12:08 PM
I love it!!!    Mod being done to cookers makes me smile! ;D
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Rummm on May 20, 2013, 04:44:40 AM
After 3½ hours

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/0519ribs4_zps9285c030.jpg)

Foiled for an hour and then a thin glaze of bourbon bbq sauce

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/0519ribs5_zps9ef81e18.jpg)

Another 30 minutes at 290°

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/0519ribs6_zps98d86b01.jpg)

Not much of a smoke ring, but the smoke flavor was there

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-1/0519ribs7_zpsf54e8afb.jpg)

Got some tweaking to do, but all in all happy so far (except for the repackaged ribs that didn't mention they'd been "enhanced")
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: sliding_billy on May 20, 2013, 05:41:35 AM
Ring or not, they look good.
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Barry CB Martin on May 20, 2013, 02:45:06 PM
I'm betting the "enhancement" solution has a chemical composition that resists the development of smoke ring, which is only a chemical reaction itself - not an indicator of the smoke penetration or efficacy.

SAY - you know I bet it you added a set of Grill Grates that are for the Weber kettle you'd have a heck of a grilling machine there as well...

be interested to see how this all plays out..thanks for sharing.   8)
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: squirtthecat on May 20, 2013, 02:54:29 PM

FrankenPrimo!
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Sam3 on May 20, 2013, 02:58:00 PM
Ring or not, they look good.

X2!
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Rummm on July 03, 2013, 12:19:22 PM
going to try this new step controller on the electric Primo this weekend.....we'll see  ???

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/askabutcher/AAB2013-2/primocontroller.jpg)
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Keymaster on July 03, 2013, 12:35:58 PM
you should be able to dial that right in to the desired temp with that setup.

Sent from my MOTWX435KT using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: TMB on July 03, 2013, 12:40:06 PM
Primo is slapping it's self in the head about now.  Why didn't we do this??

Kinda like CharBroil and some of the things I have done to the SRG's  ;)

Great job!!
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Rummm on July 03, 2013, 12:48:22 PM
Primo is slapping it's self in the head about now.  Why didn't we do this??



Actually, someone from Primo has been watching what I've been doing and I've been keeping him updated. I am NO engineer by any means, but I have a pretty good idea in my head what the product should look like  ;)
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: TMB on July 03, 2013, 01:02:04 PM
Primo is slapping it's self in the head about now.  Why didn't we do this??



Actually, someone from Primo has been watching what I've been doing and I've been keeping him updated. I am NO engineer by any means, but I have a pretty good idea in my head what the product should look like  ;)

Neither am I,  but I know what works and all the changes I have made to my SRG's have worked to a "T"

I think I shall call them SRG2

Like you, I have good ideas in my head it's just finding them at the right time.   :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Primo "electric" grill
Post by: Rummm on July 03, 2013, 01:18:26 PM
Primo had a gas grill once....the Primo 2000.....but discontinued it after a few years. I think an electric version would fill the void for folks living in apartments, condo's, etc, and people with medical conditions (like me).