My humble smoke house build

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bladebuilder

Meat Mopper
Original poster
So you fine gentlemen here, really got me hooked bad!! I started with a simple back bacon question, now I have 60 pounds of belly on the way, and of course, had to start a smoker! Mainly because I don't already have enough on my plate, but hey, I needed the distraction right?

I had intended to go with a full cedar build, then thought about a cinderblock base, but with winter closing in, I took cues from some other builds I have seen here in my research.

I priced cedar lumber for the framing, and holy crap!! It's expensive here!! So spruce framed it will be!!

Base framed


Sides and front framed, base complete


Test fit


Sides and front attached to base


You can just see the chimney on the top left.


Hopefully tomorrow, I will get it closed in, and maybe the roof on. Then I need to build the doors and attach.

The burner I have ordered, is the same one Pops and a couple others have used on similar builds from Northern Tool.

Bacon hangers are on route, and the A-Maze-N Pellet smoker has arrived, with a supply of pellets.
 
Bubba, evening.... Think about changing the exhaust stack to "straight out" with a little down angle...... OR, you will be dumping condensate back into the smokehouse..... Been there..... Done that....
Better yet, install floor registers for a forced air heating systems directly in the wall... adjustable and very little or no drip..... That's what I would do...
 
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Dave's advice on the exhaust is spot on! Other than that nice build. Looking forward to seeing some bacon bathing in smoke!
 
So, managed to get the walls closed in today, and the roof framed. The Cedar I purchased was in bundles, and of course, the best boards were on the outside. SO even though I bought an extra bundle to be safe, I am still short.

So This is how it looks. I took Dave's advice, and went with floor registers. These are the larger size, 2 baffles in each. It is looking better than I thought it would. I have very little framing experience.

Dimensions: 36" x 36'  6'6" front. 6' back. Dimensions to underside of the roof. I was gonna go 6' front 5'6" back, but I'm 6'4" and I hate ducking!


 
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Looks great! How are you going to make racks? And the supports? A simple way to make support rails is to take a 1x3 and drill a series of holes down the middle. Then cut that in half. You'll have a rail with half moon shaped cut outs this can support a rack or multiple rods for hanging.
 
Finish it with whatever you'd like. I'd probably avoid linseed oil as it requires continuous maintenance ( I build wood boats and it's used a bunch). I'd use a regular house stain or exterior paint.
 
I would use linseed oil as it does not chip, peel or crack..... Makes the wood somewhat water proof and helps reduce cracking, splitting of the wood... While you are at it, oil your shovel, axe, hammer handles etc....
For the handles, drill out the handle about 4-5"... oversize a hole at the end of it for a plug, fill the handle with boiled linseed oil and plug.... that will make the handles flexible and reduce splitting and drying out....

 
 
So, managed to get the walls closed in today, and the roof framed. The Cedar I purchased was in bundles, and of course, the best boards were on the outside. SO even though I bought an extra bundle to be safe, I am still short.

So This is how it looks. I took Dave's advice, and went with floor registers. These are the larger size, 2 baffles in each. It is looking better than I thought it would. I have very little framing experience.

Dimensions: 36" x 36'  6'6" front. 6' back. Dimensions to underside of the roof. I was gonna go 6' front 5'6" back, but I'm 6'4" and I hate ducking!


Good for you for not going with plywood or particle board, looks nice. 
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Quick update on the build... Built the doors, and corner trim today. Ordered some stainless #5 mesh, to make jerky racks. Also ordered the dial/analog temp gauges.

Mounted the door, realized my hands were shaking... Oh yeah! Haven't eaten or had anything to drink since dinner yesterday!! Done for today, more to come!

 
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Doors are done, trim is finished under the roof. Burner has arrived. Will be doing linseed treatment tomorrow, caulking the exterior roof seems. May get the cedar shake roof on as well. Pics tomorrow I hope. Also picked up my deer tags today, to hunting may win out in the short term!!
 
I would go ahead with the boiled linseed oil. It is more natural and it will continue to show the nice grain pattern. Yes, It is more work but a coat a month will make sure it never rots. I was a industrial carpenter in a chemical plant and one of our routine jobs was to rub down all the wood ladders once a month at the same time we had to inspect them. we generally only had to condemn a ladder from abuse. Of course that was before  fiberglass ladders made the big splash.

Your house has been a labor of love so should the maintenance.
 
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