I thought he was going to tell us how the pit was negotiated but he spent all of his time braking down the quality of the pit lol we get it man you make good Barbque pits
I visited Lowe's and they have everything I need to take care of my gatorpit. Paint, sandpaper, putty knives, and brushes. Firebox has a little rust here and there, but it's all gone. Thanks for this video Ritch!
I own a Brinkmann stick burner that I have had for 17 years and paid $299. 1/4" steel. It sits on the patio uncovered but with a roof over it and has no mods other than after market flat iron grill surfaces. I clean out the ash after every use, season it inside and out twice a year with canola oil spray. Once about 3 years ago I hit it with a wire brush and re-painted it with hi-temp spray paint. It has the butterfly style burn control. It is as good as the day I bought it and the oil burn on the outside prevents rust very well just like a cast iron skillet. I have cooked on other smokers but there is no difference in food quality once you get to know yours. I would love to own a high quality beast like the Gator but I really see no need.
I bought an old school 1/4" thick Brinkmann Cimarron off Marketplace for $30 last year, and it just needed to be sanded/painted. I wire wheeled it inside and out, and painted it with hi temp paint, and while the interior of the firebox is unfortunately starting to flake from rust, it's still in overall good condition. I clean out the firebox after every use, and I'll spray the outside of it with canola oil after every couple of uses. Still does a good job.
You can’t sandblast and paint this for $200.00. Maybe, if you have the tools and equipment to do yourself. And, the know how. Maybe. What everyone says. But, find a shop to repair this for $200.00. Not happening.
Great advice bro. I appreciate you make the point with no apologies. I just finished my mods and have two cooks under my belt with the new smoker. I immediately thought "Well damn, the paint's gone on the firebox already and I got moisture inside. I need to figure out how to maintain this thing so it lasts a while. I appreciate your video. Thanks for taking the time to make it.
I appreciate the video. I'm still using a budget low quality pit at the moment but I have my eye on one of the high quality models such as your backyard classic. While mine has never looked this bad, I realized after this video that I was neglecting it just the same. Thanks to you I now maintain my pit and when I finally save enough for a high quality one, I'll be in the habit of maintaining it properly.
Hey Rich.. Thanks for pointing all these things out. What I do is show people how to take free bbq grills off of craiglist etc and making something workable out of them. You have shown all the pros and cons. I will link your video often. Thanks bro. By the way, I have a Uniflame 4 burner that I got for nothing and fixed. It works as good as any because I can weld and modify.
Thank you for your illustration of just how bad neglect can wreak havoc on the demise of what was a relatively nice cooker. The fire box was a sad execution of manufacturing. Steel way too thin to be of any good longevity. Your explanation is excellent. People invest a quite a bit of money, use the pits for 10 to 15 years and the only requirement if you want to keep your pit is to clean it once in a while or at least twice a year minimum. Love your videos.
GREAT VIDEO THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION. I WILL ALWAYS CLEAN MY PIT AFTER EACH USE BECAUSE I DON'T COOK ON IT THAT OFTEN. I DON'T THINK A LOT OF THE FOLKS COMMENTING NEED TO BE TELLING YOU HOW TO DO ANYTHING. I DOUBT THERE IS A BETTER PIT THAN THE ONES YOU BUILD.
I've got an old Traeger (1998) with one very long wooden handle and it is in very good shape. I am finally refurbishing the metal for the 2nd time. Always kept covered.
whoa nelly! dude if your gonna scrap that i'll buy for scrap and fix it,im a welder also and you know like i do it wouldnt be that hard.just might not be worth your time though,cause time is MONEY!!
Yep definitely from neglect by the owner, I learned about corrosion very fast when I was in the service. Going out to sea all the time and salt air would cause anything to corrode, you have to take care of your equipment with a proactive approach. A corrosion inhibitor is always good to use.
Great video Rich!!! Very informative on how to treat your pit. I live in Baltimore, and I am a "grill master". But I've never owned a true smoker, therefore, I am not a true Pit Master. I want soo badly to long smoke a brisket the Texas way. As soon as I hit the lotto, I'm gonna come to Texas and buy an entry level backyard smoker from either Gator, or LSG.
This is the best Video Ever Thank You Rich. I clean my Pit after every 2 Cooks!!! It only takes 20 minutes to clean. Gator Master!!! Holy Shit. Oysters & Leaves ❤️😎🇺🇸
This is the first time I've seen his video and can tell by his shop floor that he does quality work just look how clean everything is I was going to say sandblast the pit but I don't think there would be anything left better just sell it for scrap and build a new one that ash rake is the ticket
Probably one of the best videos I've seen on smokers. At first I was upset when I saw him beating the shit out of this smoker. After I realized how bad of shape it was in he should have just taken it to the dump or emptied a clip into it. I hate how people think they shouldn't clean pits ever. I clean mine every 2 weeks. I own a BBQ business and people freak out when I tell them I clean my pits all the time.
I have an 18 year old pit with butterfly style vents that works as well as the day I bought it, there's nothing wrong with the vents, they just need to be taken care of.
+masa cure Folks there you go. For those of you that have this brand cooker, contact Masa Cure. As he stated,he or his employer can do for around $250.00. You can have your old firebox replaced. That is one heck of a deal.
Ah...that black stuff is where the flavor comes from! That kind of "Seasoning" takes time to be that good! You simply cant rush exotic flavors 😋....hmmm hmmm good.
Know this is old but maybe will help someone. When I used a stick burner I had the same one 22 years. Never touched up or repaired other than a shelf runner needed re welding. As soon as it was cool enough (not cold) I would scrape and brush out the fire box then spray the whole inside with Pam. The main chamber I would wipe down (wash the shelfs) then spray with Pam. Wipe down the outside with a damp cloth, when dry rub with a cloth soaked in WD40. Took a little longer to fire up as was basically re seasoning but as far as I know it is still going 5 years later with the guy I gave it to. Broke down and bought a pellet smoker as getting to old to look after a 18/ 20 hour slow cook on it :(.
Fat Cajun Here you go: Keep ash out regularly. Keep all hinges lubricated regularly. Knock off surface rust as it appears and touch up with high heat BBQ paint. Available at most hardware stores. Grease caster bearings and axles regularly. Pressure spraying a few times a year helps knock off build up inside. Coat interior with cooking oil periodically to keep food grates from rusting between cooks. If you cook often, not so necessary as the meat fats will keep the grates oiled. Replace fire grate when they are burnt out (and they will). They are "consumables" in a smoker or grill. Don't lay coal or wood on the belly of the cooker. Always on a fire grate. If you don't do this, you will have what you see in this video. A filthy rust bucket. Enjoy, Ritch
We ship to Cali almost weekly. We do a lot of business in California. :) Contact me direct info@gatorpit.net and we can discuss your needs and I can suggest a Gator Pit smoker/grill for you. Thanks, Ritch
Everything has a price tag on it no matter what an owner does with their pits. I would have rather seen the guy tell more about how to maintain the pit than to hear all the bad stuff about it.
I've had a smoker for a little over a year. I can see small signs of rust starting to form inside. My pit is outside and I use it all winter long in subzero weather. Is there any high heat paint I can hit the spots with? I'm probably overreacting, but the smoker was a gift and I really want to keep it for many years. Thanks in advance!
Go to Home Depot and purchase Rustoleum High Heat BBQ Black paint. You can get in quarts or spray cans. Follow application directions on the can. Hope this helps. Ritch
I think this video is a perfect example of how a professional can be negative instead of positive... He should have took that smoker to another professional that would've told him yes we can restore it for you..
Abcdef 12345 Read further on these comments and you will find an employee that works for the manufacturer of this Pit’s comments. I never said it couldn’t be restored. Costs to “restore” compared to buying new, is what one needs to consider. Simple. Being realistic.
I'm in CO and we have pretty cool open carry laws here, but at the same time we have a bunch of liberal braindeads who complain if they even see a bulge in your pants, can you image how often they harass me when I'm not even carrying! lol
To those that say this can be repaired. Yes, it can. So can a wrecked vehicle that an insurance company has claimed Totaled. It comes down to cost to repair vs costs of new. If the owner has the means to repair himself, do it. If not, then you are dependent on paying a welding shop to repair. Now you get into not what it would costs you to do the repair yourself, but paying a company. And, welding shops don't work for COSTS. So, keep commenting: It can be fixed. It shouldn't costs that much. ETC... I am telling you, IT ISN'T WORTH PAYING A WELDING SHOP TO FIX. PERIOD. There is a post from a guy that works at a local Pit Builder's shop. At first he stated it was worth fixing. Until he dug a little deeper and later came back and said it would be $3,450.00 for the company he works for to fix/repair. Read his own posts below. Take the video as it was intended: To educate on taking care of your cooker. See ya, Ritch
Why pay a welder? Make friends with one. Then invite him to your BBQs dwhen you cook out of the fixed up one. We're making one out of a big propane tanke at the moment. They love my BBQ, and respect me for it, without the gun.
ghanus2009 Trolling. How about support your small business and stop kissing ass to get free work. Sound like a moocher to me. A bit of a hypocrite. Sure your "made" Welder friend would love to read this post.
You actually spent 20 min raging on a rusty pit. I got that in the first 2 min. I got it , its rusted out. What I THOUGHT you were going to show, and should have was to move onto a new pit and show how to maintain it over 15 years. I learned nothing other than you like to pack a gun at your welding shop. Ok. Whatever.
ghanus2009 Don't be so quick to talk negatively. Read the details to the video and my responses to comments. You will get your answers. READ. And, don't be so concerned about an American exercising his 2nd Amendment right and under Texas Laws, I have the right to carry openly or concealed. Have a great day. Ritch munchkinwrangler.wordpress.com/2007/03/23/why-the-gun-is-civilization/
Kicking in attempt to get the rust lose between the metal. Obviously, I pulled on the handle and it still would not rotate. It wasn't going to rotate, same as the door handle didn't move. Enjoy the channel.
i would like 2 thank u 4 t good video u make and also t best pits i seen , i do a little welding myself n made a few pit am not a welder but i do it more as a pass time . Iam handicap had my leg work on ever since i was 5 years old iam going 2 b 60 this year n most of my time iam along at t house n also pack like u very nice . Now iam working on a grill with a fire box n also a horizontal 4 my brother who lives in San Angelo tx i lve in South Texas good luck in t future ( Gilly )
well i checked, thats just for the material, labor would cost more. i think a cover would be cheaper. i dont want to say which company i work for but if i had a choice i would prefer a gator pit, our pits are kind of " run of the mill"
For all you scientists out there that want to correct me for not being perfect in my using of acidic over corrosive, here: Is wet ash corrosive? Long-term exposure to wet ash can corrode metal. Point was, DON’T LEAVE ASH IN YOUR COOKER FOR LONG PERIODS. IT WILL TAKE ITS TOLL ON THE METAL.
Does it make a difference if we put the fire directly on the metal of the firebox compared to using is using ash/charcoal grate to keep the fire off from from being in direct contact with the bottom of the firebox? I am referring to in terms of longevity
You want to build a fire on a fire grate of some kind. It can make a difference in a good clean burning fire or not. Also, your pit may have a longer lifespan.
you make good stuff. no question. BUT, that's not a 'totaled' smoker. If you can weld or know someone who can that would be a steal for what something new, comparable would cost. The cooking chambers looked solid. (Bet that's a Kimber, btw)
How long or how many times should I season a 8ft by 30" diameter pit, also what temperature should I keep the pit at. Do your recommend peanut oil the inside and WD40 the out side of the pit?
John Doe, you should only need to season a smoker once, unless you were to clean it back down to the bare metal, after the initial seasoning process. The pit is first seasoned. When you cook on it, it will continue to "season". To clean, you should only knock off any loose gunk that builds up on the walls and clean out the bottom where it all falls and grease may build up. Yes, to peanut oil inside and yes to WD40 outside (ONLY). Temp should be the same as cooking. Anywhere between 225 to 275 degrees on a smoker. Enjoy your cooker. Ritch
They are very comparable cookers in size, features, material. Old Country is the pricer of the two. If looking at price comparison with features of each, the Oklahoma Joe would be the one. I can't see the price difference in the Old Country at $200.00 more. I just don't see where the extra $200.00 is. Steel thickness is comparable. Both have the grill firebox with top hot plate. Both have wagon wheels, etc. I'd go OJ. Now go get it, season it, put some meat on and enjoy. Ritch
How can I prevent internal AND external rust on my 1/4" steel firebox? In the last few days, the external area of the firebox has gotta bright orange with rust. Thanks
+Danny Bruce Keep the ash cleaned out regularly. It is acidic and more so with moisture combined. Keep the exterior touched up. As you notice rust starting, wire wheel off, hand sand off, etc and clean the area free of dirt, rust, grease. Immediately touch up the area with high heat paint. You can periodically coat the exterior with WD40. Exterior only. Lubricate door hinges and work the lubricant into the hinges by working the door back and forth. Interior, coat with cooking oil between cooks. This provides a protective coating between cooks. And, if not using the firebox food tray, remove it when smoking only. That will prematurely burn out the grill firebox food tray. A cooker is no different than anything else you own. You wash and wax cars, change the oil, etc. to ensure longevity of the vehicle. You repaint and re-caulk your home every so many years. Wax your wood floors or clean your tile. A Cooker is no different. Neglect it, and expect problems down the road. I have found that a lot of folks expect more from a 1000 dollar cooker than their 40,000 dollar car or 200K home. You take care of your Cooker and you will enjoy years, if not a lifetime, of cooking. Hope this helps. Ritch Robin
my grease drain hole is like a 3/16th inch in diameter. i unclog it, then a few minutes later its clogged up again. im ready to just drill a hole in it myself. other than that, i just have a door leak, and and the whole pit is leaning backwards a good bit. i only had it for about 8 months, but i want a new pit something MUCH higher quality.
Yeah, probably not the best to just go off for 20 minutes. He was definitely upset. But really if he wanted to sell a gator pit, then tell us about your gater pit.
Very informative! Thanks for posting this video. I didn't know about the acidic nature of the ash causing issues with the firebox. You guys seem to really know your shit. I would buy one for sure if I could afford it. don't see any of those so called $500 pits on your website. Clearly acknowledging your second amendment rights in the video is commendable.
chronocide I don’t “roll play” anything. Feel free to visit my shop and I’ll give you a tour. Be happy to introduce myself to you, show you around, sit and chat about anything you want to chat about. And, then you can can call it what you want. I am no different in person than you see in over 400 TH-cam videos, thousands of social media posts, pics, several TV shows, etc of me. I don’t “roll play.”
You are in fact key wording “Neglect” to the person’s pit. Well neglect is neglect. EVERY SINGLE PIT IN EXISTANCE WILL GET DESTROYED in time if not maintained. Including Gator Pit! Sorry but that’s the honest truth. Why don’t you do yourself a favor and help people understand how to maintenance any pit, especially Gator Pit and people will look at your advice in a completely better approach and understanding? That’s what true marketing is about. You are repeating to say “Not knocking on the manufacturer” But repeat the word “neglect” You are neglecting the fact that in time “any and every pit if not maintained the pit properly, it will get destroyed.”
So your saying a gator pit firebox is warranted for life but if it doesn’t last it’s not on you? I could easily fix that smoker up nice. If I wanted to keep wood handles I could make them in 5 minutes, last ten years and spend another whole 5 minutes again. Butterfly vents work fine if cared for a little bit. The owner of that pit obviously didn’t take care of it but maybe used it commercially to cook more meat than you could eat in a lifetime with it. Nothing like a pit jocks opinions, they all have one.
I have way expected you to shoot it at some point. Jokes aside thanks for the video and guilt tripping people that don't give proper tlc to their pits. Myself foremost, thanks man.
In the video description: Ritch, Owner of Gator Pit of Texas, shows you what years of neglect to your Cooker can mean. It doesn't matter who made your Cooker, if you don't give it a little TLC, you will be repairing or buying another in the years to come. A lot of folks don't know or think to "maintain" their outdoor cooking equipment. Or, they put it off for another time. It is to show you that you have to take care of your cooker the same as your home, car, boat, motorcycle, etc. If you don't, you will have problems with the product functioning efficiently and costs to repair can be great. Don't change the oil in the motor and it will break down. Your cooker is no different. Keep your cooker regularly cleaned out. Especially, ash. It is acidic. Cancer to a cooker's firebox, especially. Keep moving parts lubricated. Touch up paint periodically. A good thorough cleaning inside and out two - three times a year will add life to your cooker. The owner of this cooker ended up buying new. Yes, we may have been able to "temporarily" give it life. But, the metal under the food chamber was rusted thin. He would have ended up with a nice new firebox that would have then outlasted the original sections of the cooker and be right back were he started. You get to a point where new vs repair. This customer not only chose to go new, but he got a nice customized Gator with features he wanted. He was able to personalize the new cooker and using this old cooker for years, made it easier for him to decide what he wanted in a custom Gator Pit. www.gatorpit.net www.gatorpitbbqschool.com
![PASULOL รามเกียรติ์ ตอนที่ 4 นนทกพบรัก [Ramakien Ep.4: Nonthok in love]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tMUQgmZzf_A/mqdefault.jpg)
I thought he was going to tell us how the pit was negotiated but he spent all of his time braking down the quality of the pit lol we get it man you make good Barbque pits
i kept waiting for him to draw his gun and empty his clip on that pit
Hahahaha
Yeah man i was so fucking scare 😅😁😊
....... Magazine.
That would be a Hickok 45 move
Magazine. Empty the magazine.
I visited Lowe's and they have everything I need to take care of my gatorpit. Paint, sandpaper, putty knives, and brushes. Firebox has a little rust here and there, but it's all gone. Thanks for this video Ritch!
+MishaTal1 You are welcome. What his video is for. Glad you found it informing. Ritch
I own a Brinkmann stick burner that I have had for 17 years and paid $299. 1/4" steel. It sits on the patio uncovered but with a roof over it and has no mods other than after market flat iron grill surfaces. I clean out the ash after every use, season it inside and out twice a year with canola oil spray. Once about 3 years ago I hit it with a wire brush and re-painted it with hi-temp spray paint. It has the butterfly style burn control. It is as good as the day I bought it and the oil burn on the outside prevents rust very well just like a cast iron skillet. I have cooked on other smokers but there is no difference in food quality once you get to know yours. I would love to own a high quality beast like the Gator but I really see no need.
I bought an old school 1/4" thick Brinkmann Cimarron off Marketplace for $30 last year, and it just needed to be sanded/painted. I wire wheeled it inside and out, and painted it with hi temp paint, and while the interior of the firebox is unfortunately starting to flake from rust, it's still in overall good condition. I clean out the firebox after every use, and I'll spray the outside of it with canola oil after every couple of uses. Still does a good job.
sandblasting ...a lil high temp paint . new fire box.. couple new handles shes good as ever
i agree
You can’t sandblast and paint this for $200.00. Maybe, if you have the tools and equipment to do yourself. And, the know how. Maybe. What everyone says. But, find a shop to repair this for $200.00. Not happening.
@@GatorPitofTexas also hard to sandblast something that’s falling out of the bottom lol
Great advice bro. I appreciate you make the point with no apologies. I just finished my mods and have two cooks under my belt with the new smoker. I immediately thought "Well damn, the paint's gone on the firebox already and I got moisture inside. I need to figure out how to maintain this thing so it lasts a while. I appreciate your video. Thanks for taking the time to make it.
Sean McMann very welcome. Ritch
going home and hug my pit Today.
I appreciate the video. I'm still using a budget low quality pit at the moment but I have my eye on one of the high quality models such as your backyard classic. While mine has never looked this bad, I realized after this video that I was neglecting it just the same. Thanks to you I now maintain my pit and when I finally save enough for a high quality one, I'll be in the habit of maintaining it properly.
Hey Rich.. Thanks for pointing all these things out. What I do is show people how to take free bbq grills off of craiglist etc and making something workable out of them. You have shown all the pros and cons. I will link your video often. Thanks bro. By the way, I have a Uniflame 4 burner that I got for nothing and fixed. It works as good as any because I can weld and modify.
Thank you for your illustration of just how bad neglect can wreak havoc on the demise of what was a relatively nice cooker. The fire box was a sad execution of manufacturing. Steel way too thin to be of any good longevity. Your explanation is excellent. People invest a quite a bit of money, use the pits for 10 to 15 years and the only requirement if you want to keep your pit is to clean it once in a while or at least twice a year minimum. Love your videos.
+rgoidel Thanks for the positive feedback. Ritch
GREAT VIDEO THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION. I WILL ALWAYS CLEAN MY PIT AFTER EACH USE BECAUSE I DON'T COOK ON IT THAT OFTEN. I DON'T THINK A LOT OF THE FOLKS COMMENTING NEED TO BE TELLING YOU HOW TO DO ANYTHING. I DOUBT THERE IS A BETTER PIT THAN THE ONES YOU BUILD.
Thanks, Ritch Robin
I've got an old Traeger (1998) with one very long wooden handle and it is in very good shape. I am finally refurbishing the metal for the 2nd time. Always kept covered.
2bless8 Arrh Traegers were much better made back then when they didn't outsource to China. Yours was probably still made in the USA
Yes it was made in the USA and I had it refurbished right in Mt. Angel.
whoa nelly! dude if your gonna scrap that i'll buy for scrap and fix it,im a welder also and you know like i do it wouldnt be that hard.just might not be worth your time though,cause time is MONEY!!
BAR 20 BBQ right
Yep definitely from neglect by the owner, I learned about corrosion very fast when I was in the service. Going out to sea all the time and salt air would cause anything to corrode, you have to take care of your equipment with a proactive approach. A corrosion inhibitor is always good to use.
Just cut the fire box off and weld on a new one...
right
The best comment so far.
This whole video is a guy trying making uncomplicated things sound complicated lol
@@texasdirtbikerider3335 Ain't that the truth.
Y'all missed the point. It's not about this particular smoker, but to raise awareness on what happens if you don't maintain your shit.
My dads pit is 30+ years old and his butterfly vent still works fine the smoker itself is still great
he probably takes care of it is the point
Great video Rich!!! Very informative on how to treat your pit. I live in Baltimore, and I am a "grill master". But I've never owned a true smoker, therefore, I am not a true Pit Master. I want soo badly to long smoke a brisket the Texas way. As soon as I hit the lotto, I'm gonna come to Texas and buy an entry level backyard smoker from either Gator, or LSG.
You guys really make a damn nice smoker. Ahhhh, I could only dream. Keep up the good work bro.
This is the best Video Ever Thank You Rich. I clean my Pit after every 2 Cooks!!! It only takes 20 minutes to clean. Gator Master!!! Holy Shit. Oysters & Leaves ❤️😎🇺🇸
I was waiting for him to pull out a pearl! :)
@@ericblomquist1975 LOL I wish.
This is the first time I've seen his video and can tell by his shop floor that he does quality work just look how clean everything is I was going to say sandblast the pit but I don't think there would be anything left better just sell it for scrap and build a new one that ash rake is the ticket
Probably one of the best videos I've seen on smokers. At first I was upset when I saw him beating the shit out of this smoker. After I realized how bad of shape it was in he should have just taken it to the dump or emptied a clip into it. I hate how people think they shouldn't clean pits ever. I clean mine every 2 weeks. I own a BBQ business and people freak out when I tell them I clean my pits all the time.
Thanks for stressing the importance of maintaining your pit.
I have an 18 year old pit with butterfly style vents that works as well as the day I bought it, there's nothing wrong with the vents, they just need to be taken care of.
All of a sudden I am happy with the status of my pit..... I got 5 more years to go by the looks of it :)
i work for the company who built this pit. yes the doors are 3/16. and it can be fixed, cut the firebox off add a new one, maybe $250
+masa cure Folks there you go. For those of you that have this brand cooker, contact Masa Cure. As he stated,he or his employer can do for around $250.00. You can have your old firebox replaced. That is one heck of a deal.
When you finally said holy shit I was like yes! I’ve been saying it since the video started. 🤣
It seemed like that pit hurt this man's heart
Ah...that black stuff is where the flavor comes from! That kind of "Seasoning" takes time to be that good! You simply cant rush exotic flavors 😋....hmmm hmmm good.
Gator don't play no shit Gator never been about that, Never been about playin no shit - will ferrell
LOL
I kept waiting for you to find a pearl!
Eric Blomquist LOL
i really need to work for these guys, i LOVE to design and fab pits ! i just love to weld !
Smokers and guns! AMERICA!!! 🇺🇸
Yes, Sir. God, Guns, and Family. And, fire and cooking bring us all together. #USA
Of course a gun is necessary especially in bbq grill videos. You just never know...
Know this is old but maybe will help someone. When I used a stick burner I had the same one 22 years. Never touched up or repaired other than a shelf runner needed re welding. As soon as it was cool enough (not cold) I would scrape and brush out the fire box then spray the whole inside with Pam. The main chamber I would wipe down (wash the shelfs) then spray with Pam. Wipe down the outside with a damp cloth, when dry rub with a cloth soaked in WD40. Took a little longer to fire up as was basically re seasoning but as far as I know it is still going 5 years later with the guy I gave it to. Broke down and bought a pellet smoker as getting to old to look after a 18/ 20 hour slow cook on it :(.
+Grant Tabor A little attention adds years to your cooker.
+Grant Tabor What does the WD40 do to the exterior?
u was going to show me how to take care of it and fix it
not butch how bad the pit was
not to porfersonal of u
Fat Cajun Here you go: Keep ash out regularly. Keep all hinges lubricated regularly. Knock off surface rust as it appears and touch up with high heat BBQ paint. Available at most hardware stores. Grease caster bearings and axles regularly. Pressure spraying a few times a year helps knock off build up inside. Coat interior with cooking oil periodically to keep food grates from rusting between cooks. If you cook often, not so necessary as the meat fats will keep the grates oiled. Replace fire grate when they are burnt out (and they will). They are "consumables" in a smoker or grill. Don't lay coal or wood on the belly of the cooker. Always on a fire grate. If you don't do this, you will have what you see in this video. A filthy rust bucket. Enjoy, Ritch
thank u
Porfersonel??!! Damn dude, we live in the age of spell check. Wow.
nope
On the inside of the pit?? How soon can I cook with? Do I need to heat for an hour at 400 first? With smoke?? C'mon man, a little help
Great tutorial... I live in California can I get a gator pit🤔
We ship to Cali almost weekly. We do a lot of business in California. :) Contact me direct info@gatorpit.net and we can discuss your needs and I can suggest a Gator Pit smoker/grill for you. Thanks, Ritch
Everything has a price tag on it no matter what an owner does with their pits. I would have rather seen the guy tell more about how to maintain the pit than to hear all the bad stuff about it.
Bob Remlap Viewmy other vids. I have pit care tips in my "seasoning" and "cooking" vids.
I bet the food that came off that hot mess was first class...
15 years n of life for a pit is great!! for me lol
For a lot of BBQ pits, 15 years is pretty dang great.
+Gator Pit how long do your grills last?
+Gator Pit nevermind. ..just saw your video on your custom pits.... Awesome!!
You can make a pit last 100 years if you take care of it.
I've had a smoker for a little over a year. I can see small signs of rust starting to form inside. My pit is outside and I use it all winter long in subzero weather. Is there any high heat paint I can hit the spots with? I'm probably overreacting, but the smoker was a gift and I really want to keep it for many years. Thanks in advance!
Go to Home Depot and purchase Rustoleum High Heat BBQ Black paint. You can get in quarts or spray cans. Follow application directions on the can. Hope this helps. Ritch
Thank you! And it's safe to use inside the grill?
@@12Daze DO NOT paint the inside of your cooker. Outside only.
I have the same smoker without the upright. got it used.
Great video and nice xds brother.
I think this video is a perfect example of how a professional can be negative instead of positive... He should have took that smoker to another professional that would've told him yes we can restore it for you..
Abcdef 12345 Read further on these comments and you will find an employee that works for the manufacturer of this Pit’s comments. I never said it couldn’t be restored. Costs to “restore” compared to buying new, is what one needs to consider. Simple. Being realistic.
Great video.. good info
I used 5/8" thick steel to build a firebox !
Won't be replacing that one, even with neglect. :)
All the thumbs down were by lazy dirty people who don't clean or maintain their bbq pit !
Great video. Honest info.
I neglected mine if only I put a cover over it now I have a hug hole in it
I bet you never get any customer complaints wearin' that yeh handgun sir! :)
I'm in CO and we have pretty cool open carry laws here, but at the same time we have a bunch of liberal braindeads who complain if they even see a bulge in your pants, can you image how often they harass me when I'm not even carrying! lol
I think I'll go out and clean out my smoker, even though it was 100 new char boil, it still cooks great, my fire box is getting rusty
To those that say this can be repaired. Yes, it can. So can a wrecked vehicle that an insurance company has claimed Totaled. It comes down to cost to repair vs costs of new. If the owner has the means to repair himself, do it. If not, then you are dependent on paying a welding shop to repair. Now you get into not what it would costs you to do the repair yourself, but paying a company. And, welding shops don't work for COSTS. So, keep commenting: It can be fixed. It shouldn't costs that much. ETC... I am telling you,
IT ISN'T WORTH PAYING A WELDING SHOP TO FIX. PERIOD. There is a post from a guy that works at a local Pit Builder's shop. At first he stated it was worth fixing. Until he dug a little deeper and later came back and said it would be $3,450.00 for the company he works for to fix/repair. Read his own posts below. Take the video as it was intended: To educate on taking care of your cooker. See ya, Ritch
were are you located in live in Fort Worth
We are in Houston. www.gatorpit.net
Why pay a welder? Make friends with one. Then invite him to your BBQs dwhen you cook out of the fixed up one.
We're making one out of a big propane tanke at the moment. They love my BBQ, and respect me for it, without the gun.
ghanus2009 Trolling. How about support your small business and stop kissing ass to get free work. Sound like a moocher to me. A bit of a hypocrite. Sure your "made" Welder friend would love to read this post.
3500 to fix lol what gouge that fire box slap in a new one on. Toss some flat iron instead of those flat bar and new expandable metal boom lets go
I learned , and I thank.
Bust out the side arm to get that rust out, I mean the scaling gun 👍🏼👊🏼
The point he was trying to make is take care of your shit. Maintain your shit
LOL. Great way of putting it. Love it. Take care of your shit and you won't have this shit. LOL Thanks, Ritch
I use my shopvac to clean out my pit after every use.
Need to put that think of metal out to pasture. That thing is gross. Makes me sad
It was nasty. LOL
Don't stop till you find that tire rim.
Lol
You actually spent 20 min raging on a rusty pit. I got that in the first 2 min. I got it , its rusted out. What I THOUGHT you were going to show, and should have was to move onto a new pit and show how to maintain it over 15 years. I learned nothing other than you like to pack a gun at your welding shop. Ok. Whatever.
ghanus2009 Don't be so quick to talk negatively. Read the details to the video and my responses to comments. You will get your answers. READ. And, don't be so concerned about an American exercising his 2nd Amendment right and under Texas Laws, I have the right to carry openly or concealed. Have a great day. Ritch munchkinwrangler.wordpress.com/2007/03/23/why-the-gun-is-civilization/
Hard to get a door vent to open if you keep kicking it in the closed position over and over.
Kicking in attempt to get the rust lose between the metal. Obviously, I pulled on the handle and it still would not rotate. It wasn't going to rotate, same as the door handle didn't move. Enjoy the channel.
ash is alkaline
i would like 2 thank u 4 t good video u make and also t best pits i seen , i do a little welding myself n made a few pit am not a welder but i do it more as a pass time . Iam handicap had my leg work on ever since i was 5 years old iam going 2 b 60 this year n most of my time iam along at t house n also pack like u very nice . Now iam working on a grill with a fire box n also a horizontal 4 my brother who lives in San Angelo tx i lve in South Texas good luck in t future ( Gilly )
Thank you and enjoy building. Great pride and joy building something from raw materials. Ritch Robin
@@GatorPitofTexas i love ur work n vedios i have a question can i use cold roll steel or hot roll b better 4 a pipe pit ends thank u 🙏🇺🇸
Gilberto Rojas Cold cost more $. Harder steel. If you have it, use it. If not, buy hot and save. Not needed.
@@GatorPitofTexas thanx a lot 🇺🇸🙏
well i checked, thats just for the material, labor would cost more. i think a cover would be cheaper. i dont want to say which company i work for but if i had a choice i would prefer a gator pit, our pits are kind of " run of the mill"
what would you rather use on a grill. heavy-duty door hinges or hinges like the ones on that grill?
Hinges are not bad. Keep this type lubricated and clean and probably never have issues.
Yes!!! He carries!!!!
Every day. :)
One day I will own me a good ol Gator Pit!!!!!! One day....
Mine is in same condition I replaced the fire box myself under 100 bucks
For all you scientists out there that want to correct me for not being perfect in my using of acidic over corrosive, here: Is wet ash corrosive? Long-term exposure to wet ash can corrode metal.
Point was, DON’T LEAVE ASH IN YOUR COOKER FOR LONG PERIODS. IT WILL TAKE ITS TOLL ON THE METAL.
Does it make a difference if we put the fire directly on the metal of the firebox compared to using is using ash/charcoal grate to keep the fire off from from being in direct contact with the bottom of the firebox? I am referring to in terms of longevity
You want to build a fire on a fire grate of some kind. It can make a difference in a good clean burning fire or not. Also, your pit may have a longer lifespan.
you make good stuff. no question. BUT, that's not a 'totaled' smoker. If you can weld or know someone who can that would be a steal for what something new, comparable would cost. The cooking chambers looked solid. (Bet that's a Kimber, btw)
These man heart is in pain it just a pit lmao
Can you put foil in bottom of pit to clean out better and faster ?????????
Jim Nelson By all means.
I am building a smoker and I am nearly about to put paint on. Should i also paint the inside of the smoker and firebox?
Ron van Asseldonk No. Clean the inside out, but do not paint the inside.
Looks like my LyfeTyme pit.
How should a gator pit be maintained and seasoned? Where are your gloves?
Plenty of those vids on our channel. Enjoy them.
How long or how many times should I season a 8ft by 30" diameter pit, also what temperature should I keep the pit at. Do your recommend peanut oil the inside and WD40 the out side of the pit?
John Doe, you should only need to season a smoker once, unless you were to clean it back down to the bare metal, after the initial seasoning process. The pit is first seasoned. When you cook on it, it will continue to "season". To clean, you should only knock off any loose gunk that builds up on the walls and clean out the bottom where it all falls and grease may build up. Yes, to peanut oil inside and yes to WD40 outside (ONLY). Temp should be the same as cooking. Anywhere between 225 to 275 degrees on a smoker. Enjoy your cooker. Ritch
Gator Pit could you please shoot a video or guide of how to season a bbq pit.
Thanks
BBQ365/PitMaster
I’m just getting into offset smoking and I got my eye on the Oklahoma joe highland and the old country wrangler which would you go with?
They are very comparable cookers in size, features, material. Old Country is the pricer of the two. If looking at price comparison with features of each, the Oklahoma Joe would be the one. I can't see the price difference in the Old Country at $200.00 more. I just don't see where the extra $200.00 is. Steel thickness is comparable. Both have the grill firebox with top hot plate. Both have wagon wheels, etc. I'd go OJ. Now go get it, season it, put some meat on and enjoy. Ritch
Gator Pit thanks man you helped out a lot!
@@sillery3439 You are welcome. Glad to be of assistance. Enjoy that smoker. Ritch
How can I prevent internal AND external rust on my 1/4" steel firebox? In the last few days, the external area of the firebox has gotta bright orange with rust. Thanks
+Danny Bruce Keep the ash cleaned out regularly. It is acidic and more so with moisture combined. Keep the exterior touched up. As you notice rust starting, wire wheel off, hand sand off, etc and clean the area free of dirt, rust, grease. Immediately touch up the area with high heat paint. You can periodically coat the exterior with WD40. Exterior only. Lubricate door hinges and work the lubricant into the hinges by working the door back and forth. Interior, coat with cooking oil between cooks. This provides a protective coating between cooks. And, if not using the firebox food tray, remove it when smoking only. That will prematurely burn out the grill firebox food tray. A cooker is no different than anything else you own. You wash and wax cars, change the oil, etc. to ensure longevity of the vehicle. You repaint and re-caulk your home every so many years. Wax your wood floors or clean your tile. A Cooker is no different. Neglect it, and expect problems down the road. I have found that a lot of folks expect more from a 1000 dollar cooker than their 40,000 dollar car or 200K home. You take care of your Cooker and you will enjoy years, if not a lifetime, of cooking. Hope this helps. Ritch Robin
my grease drain hole is like a 3/16th inch in diameter. i unclog it, then a few minutes later its clogged up again. im ready to just drill a hole in it myself. other than that, i just have a door leak, and and the whole pit is leaning backwards a good bit. i only had it for about 8 months, but i want a new pit something MUCH higher quality.
Looks like someone bought a house that came with a "free pit".
Yeah, probably not the best to just go off for 20 minutes.
He was definitely upset. But really if he wanted to sell a gator pit, then tell us about your gater pit.
Got some 400 vids all about my Gators. :)
I cleaned my cooker this weekend but started cleaning it today again. Guy looks to angry and with that gun on his belt I just had to listen
Uhhh you're turning the air vent the wrong way... of course it won't work.. lol.. too funny
Very informative! Thanks for posting this video. I didn't know about the acidic nature of the ash causing issues with the firebox. You guys seem to really know your shit. I would buy one for sure if I could afford it. don't see any of those so called $500 pits on your website.
Clearly acknowledging your second amendment rights in the video is commendable.
+Randy O'Connor Thanks for the positive feedback. Ritch
What's the best way to cut a BBQ door cleanly
So you couldn't just remove the firebox and save the rest?
Haha, just saw that he's LARPing. Hilarious.
chronocide I’ll bite. What is “LARPing?”
@@GatorPitofTexas its "Live Action Role Playing". When children do it they call it "playing dress up".
chronocide I don’t “roll play” anything. Feel free to visit my shop and I’ll give you a tour. Be happy to introduce myself to you, show you around, sit and chat about anything you want to chat about. And, then you can can call it what you want. I am no different in person than you see in over 400 TH-cam videos, thousands of social media posts, pics, several TV shows, etc of me. I don’t “roll play.”
You are in fact key wording “Neglect” to the person’s pit. Well neglect is neglect. EVERY SINGLE PIT IN EXISTANCE WILL GET DESTROYED in time if not maintained. Including Gator Pit! Sorry but that’s the honest truth. Why don’t you do yourself a favor and help people understand how to maintenance any pit, especially Gator Pit and people will look at your advice in a completely better approach and understanding? That’s what true marketing is about.
You are repeating to say “Not knocking on the manufacturer” But repeat the word “neglect”
You are neglecting the fact that in time “any and every pit if not maintained the pit properly, it will get destroyed.”
Because He has a pistol strapped on I'm thinking did He hit that pit 5 or 6 times? Do you feel lucky?
So your saying a gator pit firebox is warranted for life but if it doesn’t last it’s not on you? I could easily fix that smoker up nice. If I wanted to keep wood handles I could make them in 5 minutes, last ten years and spend another whole 5 minutes again. Butterfly vents work fine if cared for a little bit. The owner of that pit obviously didn’t take care of it but maybe used it commercially to cook more meat than you could eat in a lifetime with it. Nothing like a pit jocks opinions, they all have one.
Haha your face at 12:23 lol
I think u made it clear to the customer you where not going to restore it when you stomped a mud hole in its ass 😂😂😂😂😂
LOL
I'm cleaning my grill right now and giving it a fresh high heat paint job.
Wooden handles are bad.....Neglect is bad.....
I have way expected you to shoot it at some point. Jokes aside thanks for the video and guilt tripping people that don't give proper tlc to their pits. Myself foremost, thanks man.
I like your profile image.
Extra flavor 😂
I was waiting til u told us how to maintain a smoker but you nvr got to the point...smh..
In the video description: Ritch, Owner of Gator Pit of Texas, shows you what years of neglect to your Cooker can mean. It doesn't matter who made your Cooker, if you don't give it a little TLC, you will be repairing or buying another in the years to come. A lot of folks don't know or think to "maintain" their outdoor cooking equipment. Or, they put it off for another time. It is to show you that you have to take care of your cooker the same as your home, car, boat, motorcycle, etc. If you don't, you will have problems with the product functioning efficiently and costs to repair can be great. Don't change the oil in the motor and it will break down. Your cooker is no different. Keep your cooker regularly cleaned out. Especially, ash. It is acidic. Cancer to a cooker's firebox, especially. Keep moving parts lubricated. Touch up paint periodically. A good thorough cleaning inside and out two - three times a year will add life to your cooker. The owner of this cooker ended up buying new. Yes, we may have been able to "temporarily" give it life. But, the metal under the food chamber was rusted thin. He would have ended up with a nice new firebox that would have then outlasted the original sections of the cooker and be right back were he started. You get to a point where new vs repair. This customer not only chose to go new, but he got a nice customized Gator with features he wanted. He was able to personalize the new cooker and using this old cooker for years, made it easier for him to decide what he wanted in a custom Gator Pit. www.gatorpit.net www.gatorpitbbqschool.com
Awesome
Welder with a gun, hahaha Classic!
Why would you keep the same grill for 15 years
well, hmmmmm… must live in a bad neighborhood if ya have to wear a gun to work or ya just like to look cool...