Let's Talk BBQ
FORUM SPONSORS => MAK Grills => Topic started by: teesquare on June 27, 2018, 12:25:15 PM
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But this one was on life support. Not because it was worn out. Not because it failed to do it's job. But, because the owner of it ignored cleaning it out....
Look - NO MATTER what brand you prefer - if you don't cleanup the belly of your pit on occasion - THIS is what happens. ( Having to really bust your knuckles ONCE to cleanup a pit will make you think about using a drip pan to catch grease in the future....or at least it SHOULD for the thinking person ;)....)He did not understand why it was not working right. He got frustrated.....then he told me to come get it.... ;) ;D
But, take heart - I am going to make this one as good as new. Seriously....I am going to bring it up to current standards and features. So, follow this thread if you like. I will be posting a LOT of pictures as we go thru this process.
WHY would I put this much effort into rebuilding an old MAK?
1. To demonstrate that they don't wear out. You have to willfully ignore a lot of common sense things to kill a MAK.
2. And to show how MAK does not exercise "pre-planned obsolescence" as I have seen with many manufacturers of various products.
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This what I am starting with.... ???
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Closer....
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yuck.....
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ugh....
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Tim---certainly looks like you have your work cut out. It is a shame that the former owner did not respect his MAK enough to give it even a cursory cleaning.
If you haven't tried Goo-Gone Oven-Grill Cleaner. It will help to get through the gunk for sure. Can't wait to see the rehabbed grill.
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Thanks for the tip Bruce!
Will be going to Lowe's and - try to find the Goo Gone Oven-Grill Cleaner
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I can't understand why someone who spent the money to buy the 2 Star wouldn't put forth some effort into keeping it clean in order to get the most out of his investment. I can't clean mine most of the winter but I do still empty out the fire pot every 3-4 cooks. Common sense and some regular cleaning will hopefully have my MAK lasting for a long, long time.
Good luck on the clean up and looking forward to the updates.
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Watching
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Just a few more graphic pictures to try and quantify the degree of work involved in this one...And - these are AFTER huge chunks of gunk fell out from the ride to my house. Note the height of great on the putty knife. That is how thick it is in the belly of this MAK......
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This is the right side lip - where the smoker box sits...
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These a re the vents for the smoke going into eh smoker box.....<gag>.....
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Left lip - where the pellet hopper sits
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Looks like it's still got "good bones". I wonder how often your friend changes the oil in his car ...
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AND...for the crowning glory.... ::)....This is the chute where the grease drains from the MAK.....How much can drain when it is this clogged?
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So I called MAK...and told them the sad story of a neglected child....and how it had been orphaned - and I allowed my emotions to over take me and I adopted it.....We decided that the only appropriate thing to do - was to show how a MAK can be brought back to life and up to date.
SO...
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What's the next picture?
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The next picture is called...patience.... ;)
(I am working on taking what's in the box out....and using it to fix/restore/upgrade the old MAK you see above.)
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I am speechless! I cannot imagine sinking the kind of money required to buy a MAK into any brand of cooker and then completely neglecting it like this! Curious, has your friend replaced this MAK with another cooker? If yes, what make/model? Just curious...
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OMG!! Please don't tell us your friend sells used cars...!!
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What is the serial number on that bad boy?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Ii have never seen a grill/smoker in that kind of neglected condition. The previous owner should be taken out back of the wood shed.
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I agree with Smokeasaurus. Just disgusting how FILTHY that grill is. And I'll bet the previous owner gripped and complained about how the grill would not function properly. Gee, I wonder WHY??? This is FELONY neglect on the part of the previous owner. 10 years of hard labor if you ask me.
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Watching patiently!
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You have totally succeeded in sucking me in to this drama!!!
Who done this? Same kinda person who buys an expensive car and never changes the oil and wonders why it comes to a grinding smoking halt Down the road... then complains about the manufacturers...
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Tim,
do you know the year of this MAK?
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Tim,
do you know the year of this MAK?
So that the point of this rebuild/upgrade does not go off the rails....I really can't divulge the person's name, or serial number of this old MAK.....I can tell you it is one of the earlier, low serial number units made.
The man that owned it is highly successful and very intelligent. A "financially enviable" life.....And a genuine, down to earth, likable guy....Seriously. SO, I know many are wondering HOW could he let this happen???
Well, we all have a different personality matrix which influences our perception of things in our world. As best I can tell you, he may have believed that as automated and advanced as the MAK is....that it did not need so much cleaning as other grills. One can kind of imagine the life of a very hectic paced lifestyle, combined with many employees and customers everyday....Or the need to be able to just come home, and cook something, eat and get some rest. So, frankly....it was just not a high priority for him. And, some of the most intelligent people I have known...can't balance a checkbook. Doesn't make them stupid...just different strengths and weaknesses than we may feel familiar with.
Now...my apologies for un-knowingly shaping the focus on this in the person that owned it. The is not what we will be talking about any more on the re-build. Rather - I want to draw attention to the way which MAK has gone thru several updates in their product - while maintaining a sort of "upgrade path" instead of taking the more common attitude in business - which leaves the customer feeling left behind when the next new model comes out ( usually immediately after I have made a purchase.... :D)
More pictures today ;)
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Joining this drama late but awaiting the finished product.
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TeeSquare---I guess many of us are grossly offended because we love our MAKs so much. So when we see neglect like this (and that is exactly what it is), it truly affects our sensibilities and leads to outrage, horror, shock, etc. We need to seriously honor you as a MAK Grill Rescuer! That is what you are doing, rescuing a MAK from a life of disuse and abuse and no use. Thank you for your valiant rescue efforts!
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So... once it's saved are you going to do a LTBBQ drawing for it? ;D
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I agree with Smokeasaurus. Just disgusting how FILTHY that grill is. And I'll bet the previous owner gripped and complained about how the grill would not function properly. Gee, I wonder WHY??? This is FELONY neglect on the part of the previous owner. 10 years of hard labor if you ask me.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/2a9vFf.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pn2a9vFfj)
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I'm just sitting back and watching this one from afar...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DbZVCR8x_Lk1LNaWofvxH3UzoUu3D1XzdhFSO2ibQoCjaEZk9ZheRgVyTxFAhqYYMRJe7hZdwIsRaV-DhZjLWV5616GXIecGZqn0y87aliFHO8nadv-SWWKs1sV5LnCMD495Xk2cZCdQR1U5X9B3MSbQmkeinqpjFDNDxjEJGr2BLIiHh-7PyG2VK98a4WESDnXOSPhdm-eugKx_Ndm_nJr9zoBiCqpigN0hiqme3vAPNXQ5dFk2mVn9mNftzMIJjq3nDIm7y0iSmSGbWDaVvqvt-1jMlqK0YvxKfeuxmVGlyDfKEBuAw104-U2_yC8LaUJvYAcAK4X2DWEolTT2cUe-aniKIW26Ckov08fc2vNqFIxIMzReVEstiIAX8aVvO8oDdVY76-KFxYX9JGlpMWaO41dwEqApcZ6MWFaQDYETq9NfEvHuqYlRyvWHsyA0dcdn4v2G2u-kdRQYEApgWWJvuG7d8QZk40BF0sSr66OMFAoSsWge-15G0RGL0cD5dUs8xOH--6iWs6Tb92zy7WkZT1P10qQaxajsek4kmKREevJxCj64mkhQPnB3JT3lxTjfnxs1qxY_RqQ3C-J3hnqHLlQoZljSxV8Rn_0=s64-no)
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Today's task...Part of what was in that big box......
The new stand, door and stainless tub..... other components from the old MAK will marry with more new ones to make for good times! ;D
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So... once it's saved are you going to do a LTBBQ drawing for it?
Better idea... I'm trying to talk him into shipping it to me to show the people of Hawaii that some Aggies have some useful skills. Maybe they can use the exposure to recruit some of our better kids and build a real football team to garner enough publicity to increase the copyright fee they get from Seattle for the 12th man thing.
That way every hands a winner.
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We can't afford to feed those kids in Hawaii that play football....I have seen them...they are HUGE.....OH WAIT!!!!!! We can send them to Austin, and tell them there is a steer that they can snack on..... ;) :D
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I think the Titanic is in better condition Tee then the mak was. ;D ;D ;D ;D
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I think the Titanic is in better condition Tee then the mak was. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Yup, however, I think Maks are made better...……………….
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I think the Titanic is in better condition Tee then the mak was. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Yup, however, I think Maks are made better...……………….
Smoke you are right plus no Icebergs. ??? ??? ??? I hope
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I agree with Smokeasaurus. Just disgusting how FILTHY that grill is. And I'll bet the previous owner gripped and complained about how the grill would not function properly. Gee, I wonder WHY??? This is FELONY neglect on the part of the previous owner. 10 years of hard labor if you ask me.
Yes that! I could not imagine letting that happen to such a great product.
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Today's task...Part of what was in that big box......
The new stand, door and stainless tub..... other components from the old MAK will marry with more new ones to make for good times! ;D
Hmmm, not *quite* a re-hab. More of a scavange some old parts and put it on a new skeleton.
One thing I was told was: “Don’t let the vents or holes get clogged or covered with foil.” That rule was definitely broke here.
I am pretty lazy and hate ... HATE ... cleaning the grill but dang MAK went out of their way to design it so you can easily remove parts w/o grating your knuckles or getting too filthy. We fight over cleaning the grill now.
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Today's task...Part of what was in that big box......
The new stand, door and stainless tub..... other components from the old MAK will marry with more new ones to make for good times! ;D
Hmmm, not *quite* a re-hab. More of a scavange some old parts and put it on a new skeleton.
One thing I was told was: “Don’t let the vents or holes get clogged or covered with foil.” That rule was definitely broke here.
I am pretty lazy and hate ... HATE ... cleaning the grill but dang MAK went out of their way to design it so you can easily remove parts w/o grating your knuckles or getting too filthy. We fight over cleaning the grill now.
We'll....let's review the history of the 2 Star.....:
When it was introduced, the "tub or belly was powder coated, and there were some issues with the powder coating failing....MAK offered to replace those for a number of years - with a stainless tub. Those days are past, but MAK still had one tub that I negotiated for. The stand is an update - tho not needed..but it affords me having the door on it.
Almost all of the original parts such as both the left and right sides of the grill ( pellet hopper, controller, auger, smoke box, hood, and stainless lids for pellet hopper and smoker box) will be re-used. So, it is far more than a parts scavenge. Because - again - it speaks to the upgradability of a MAK 2 Star.....and, besides...I have an idea for the old cart..... ;) ;D
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Today's task...Part of what was in that big box......
The new stand, door and stainless tub..... other components from the old MAK will marry with more new ones to make for good times! ;D
Hmmm, not *quite* a re-hab. More of a scavange some old parts and put it on a new skeleton.
One thing I was told was: “Don’t let the vents or holes get clogged or covered with foil.” That rule was definitely broke here.
I am pretty lazy and hate ... HATE ... cleaning the grill but dang MAK went out of their way to design it so you can easily remove parts w/o grating your knuckles or getting too filthy. We fight over cleaning the grill now.
We'll....let's review the history of the 2 Star.....:
When it was introduced, the "tub or belly was powder coated, and there were some issues with the powder coating failing....MAK offered to replace those for a number of years - with a stainless tub. Those days are past, but MAK still had one tub that I negotiated for. The stand is an update - tho not needed..but it affords me having the door on it.
Almost all of the original parts such as both the left and right sides of the grill ( pellet hopper, controller, auger, smoke box, hood, and stainless lids for pellet hopper and smoker box) will be re-used. So, it is far more than a parts scavenge. Because - again - it speaks to the upgradability of a MAK 2 Star.....and, besides...I have an idea for the old cart..... ;) ;D
If the tub was free then that was a brilliant move!
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They were free for a long time.......for the folks who bought early series 2 Stars that had failing powder coating. Not all of them had this defect. This grill does not, as an example....but some folks did not want to pay to ship their MAKs back to MAK...where they would replace the tub and reassemble, and test the unit back to you. Freight is costly....
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Tee,
Are you saying that the tub you are replacing is in good shape? Maybe that is something I could use on mine since the powder coating is definitely gone.
Art
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Tee,
Are you saying that the tub you are replacing is in good shape? Maybe that is something I could use on mine since the powder coating is definitely gone.
Art
Will need to pressure wash it and see how good it is....you are welcome to it of course. And - I can help with the "swap" of your MAK into this one if needed.
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So... once it's saved are you going to do a LTBBQ drawing for it?
Better idea... I'm trying to talk him into shipping it to me to show the people of Hawaii that some Aggies have some useful skills. Maybe they can use the exposure to recruit some of our better kids and build a real football team to garner enough publicity to increase the copyright fee they get from Seattle for the 12th man thing.
That way every hands a winner.
All the good players go to Alabama
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So... once it's saved are you going to do a LTBBQ drawing for it?
Better idea... I'm trying to talk him into shipping it to me to show the people of Hawaii that some Aggies have some useful skills. Maybe they can use the exposure to recruit some of our better kids and build a real football team to garner enough publicity to increase the copyright fee they get from Seattle for the 12th man thing.
That way every hands a winner.
All the good players go to Alabama
ROLL TIDE - (just practicing)
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Tee,
Are you saying that the tub you are replacing is in good shape? Maybe that is something I could use on mine since the powder coating is definitely gone.
Art
Will need to pressure wash it and see how good it is....you are welcome to it of course. And - I can help with the "swap" of your MAK into this one if needed.
Thank you, Tee!
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Late to party but this has got my interest.