Up grading my 22.5'' Performer


 
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George M.

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Hi all
I'm up grading my 3yr old 22.5" performer and would like some helpful info on setting it up right.
I have just purchased the
Cajun bandit Cajun Bandit Smoker Conversion cylinder/High air Flow charcoal ring One/Weber 22.5" cooking grate/Water pan/bowl/replacement legs
Ribolater with the s/s etension ring
BBQ Guru DigiQ DX Pit Viper 10 CFM Fan/Standard Weber Smokey Mtn Mount/Meat Probe standard 6 ft/Pit Probe standard 6 ft

What I would like to know is
Will I have to remove the gas kit I installed in the performer from when I first got it?
Where is the best place for me to install the Digi DX, up from the bottom or drill a hole for it?(Where?)?
Can I use the Cajun bandit AND the Ribolator together?
Will it be more a smoker or cooker?

All help and tips welcome
Thanks from down under,
George
 
Will I have to remove the gas kit I installed in the performer from when I first got it?
<span class="ev_code_BLUE">I didn't have to with my Performer</span>

Where is the best place for me to install the Digi DX, up from the bottom or drill a hole for it?(Where?)?

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">If you aren't opposed to drilling the hole, it's definitely better to do so. You want to drill right at the level of the charcoal grate on the opposite side of where you want to put the fire. Ideally, the fire would be on the opposite side from the table but the lid holder gets in the way of tending the fire and the gas assist gets in the way of the adapter for the guru if you build the fire there. So I put my adapter directly in the front (facing the grill) and build my fire on the other side. This also allows great access for probe wires without them having to go over the fire.</span>

Can I use the Cajun bandit AND the Ribolator together?

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">I don't have a ribolater so I can't comment on this one.</span>
Will it be more a smoker or cooker?

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">A smoker is a cooker, right?
icon_wink.gif
I think you meant to ask if it's more of a smoker or grill. Answer: both. Obviously, a kettle is a great grill, but I use mine as a smoker way more often than a grill and it works great...particularly with the Guru.

Hope this helps! Congrats on the new toys!
</span>
 
When putting in the deflector plate on the inside level with the charcoal grate do I face the deflector plate downwards towards the botton or sideways to blow in a circular motion???

Thanks for any tips and info.
George.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George M.:
When putting in the deflector plate on the inside level with the charcoal grate do I face the deflector plate downwards towards the botton or sideways to blow in a circular motion???

Thanks for any tips and info.
George. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Downward. I know it seems like it might kick up ash but it won't. You want to put your hole where the center of the deflector plate is slightly lower than the charcoal grate so that it blows under the coals.
 
I use my Ribolator on my Cajun Bandit with no problems other then the fact that I am not a fan of the Weber Roto Ring-the fit is terrible. The very day C&C (Cajun Bandit) put out their flush fitting Roto Ring for the Cajun Bandit I am all over it.
 
Good dialog. Heck I think my Performer is 5 years old now.

Good advice on mounting area for the blower adapter. Keep the hole size if you drill 7/8 to 1 1/4 inch IMHO. Don't undersize below 7/8 inch.

I have a ribolator that works quite nicely with the extender ring that came with the EZ-Q roti system I bought years ago. I don't have a CB ring though.

BTW - the EX-Q SS ring does have that rolled lip on the bottom. Thought the Cajun bandit had that as well?

One thing about the ribolator. If you can make sure to buy their hi temp proof matting material for the shelves. Very nice. Makes things easy to clean/turn during the cook. Especially if you are doing wings/drums, etc.

Another thing about ribolator. The thumb screws for the collars are too dainty/small IMHO. They quickly stripped during tightening. I ended up drilling out and up-sizing the holes in the collars, re-threading and adding hex bolts instead of the thumb screws. MUCH BETTER NOW and you can really tighten them down. I went with 3/8 inch NF thread and hex bolts on the rework. Pretty sure I posted about this elsewhere previous.

If I do this conversion (I will, just matter of when) on my performer. I pretty much have the same/similar gear. The only thing missing is that sexy deflector plate that I want to make.

The other item that I think is cool and wish Cajun Bandit made (because they would probably do it in SS) or this company would sell separate is the hanging rack:

I like this hanger for cold smoking fish, sausages

Better example

I want to cold smoke some whole whitefish/bluefish. And I think a rack like this would be cool to have in the 18.5 WSM with the PRO-Q extension I've been using. The overall height is much higher in the WSM/w extender application though than in this mod to the Performer IMHO. Else double expansion on the Performer.

I'm thinking of making something similar for the 18.5 WSM with extender so that I can hang things vertically.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Another thing about ribolator. The thumb screws for the collars are too dainty/small IMHO. They quickly stripped during tightening. I ended up drilling out and upsizing the holes in the collars, rethreading and adding hex bolts instead of the thumb scres. MUCH BETTER NOW and you can really tighten them down. I went with 3/8 inch NG thread and hex bolts on the rework. Pretty sure I posted about this elsewhere previous. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

sorry you had the problem. we have have taken steps so it won't happen again.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bob Garnache:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Another thing about ribolator. The thumb screws for the collars are too dainty/small IMHO. They quickly stripped during tightening. I ended up drilling out and upsizing the holes in the collars, rethreading and adding hex bolts instead of the thumb scres. MUCH BETTER NOW and you can really tighten them down. I went with 3/8 inch NG thread and hex bolts on the rework. Pretty sure I posted about this elsewhere previous. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

sorry you had the problem. we have have taken steps so it won't happen again. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes they have and the change is terrific!
 
Hey Bob/Steve - that's a good move. I really like the product. Especially for wings, thighs, legs. Good to have it in the arsenal for sure. It was an easy mod for me to do since I have the bits, taps, etc and the hardware laying around. Might replace my hex bolts at some point with 2 SS ones.
 
Thanks for all of your advice,
just another question while I'm waiting for the Cajun Bandit Conversion to arrive

I have the gas kit installed on my weber will I have to pull it out to fit Cajun Bandit Conversion or can I leave it installed????

Once again thanks for all of the advise
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George M.:
Thanks for all of your advice,
just another question while I'm waiting for the Cajun Bandit Conversion to arrive

I have the gas kit installed on my weber will I have to pull it out to fit Cajun Bandit Conversion or can I leave it installed????

Once again thanks for all of the advise </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Sorry George but I have no idea. Just have to wait and see I guess.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by r benash:
Hey Bob/Steve - that's a good move. I really like the product. Especially for wings, thighs, legs. Good to have it in the arsenal for sure. It was an easy mod for me to do since I have the bits, taps, etc and the hardware laying around. Might replace my hex bolts at some point with 2 SS ones. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

What would really be exceptional in my mind - although I know this could take the product to a price point vs. margin that makes it unacceptable - Using stainless for the collars and locks (tab screws, etc) would be perfect.

If it could be done economically and not impact the retail price all that much. Maybe do a compromise and just do the collars in stainless. The threads over time can be stressed due to tightening and perhaps fail either in the jam/lock screw or the collar. As long as the collar never strips, for most there's no problem over the life of the product IMHO. If collars and lock hardware are both stainless, they most likely wouldn't fail over the lifetime. Anyway that's a key fail point in that due to the closeness of the rotating racks/edges to the sides of the kettle bowl once the collars start to slide (even a little bit) things can go downhill fast if you aren't watching. Same with any rotie system IMHO.

Anyway rib-olator system is a great product IMHO and with that minor enhancement (just the current fix) I think you are in great shape.

The one thing I liked about the EZ-Que product was that kind of attention to detail. Then again, they are out of business, not sure though that it had anything to do with quality of materials, margin, price point though.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George M.:
Thanks for all of your advice,
just another question while I'm waiting for the Cajun Bandit Conversion to arrive

I have the gas kit installed on my weber will I have to pull it out to fit Cajun Bandit Conversion or can I leave it installed????

Once again thanks for all of the advise </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

My guess would be no, you won't have to mess with the gas system at all, as it sits below the fuel grate. But hey - why not just give them a call and ask
icon_smile.gif
 
I have to admit, I'm the Rib-O-Lator and the Cajun Bandit's biggest fan! Modding my Performer for a Guru adapter is next on my list.

I use my ROL quite a bit, and keeping the trays clean can be a pain, but I bought a couple used 6" stainless steel full size pans that I just put the trays in, add a little powdered bleach, fill the pan with water, soak overnight then hose them off.
 
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