New house has a brick smoker

[jonathan soto]

Sorry if this isn't the correct place to post, but I just moved into a new place that has a long unused smoker in the yard.  I've been trying to google what I should look for to make sure its operational, how to clean, and a first time guide on how to use it, how to prep the wood (theres a firepit in the back that I can get a fire going first and move some wood over after), do I want to use chips or actual campfire type logs?  Both?  I've seen friends use a charcoal snake in a weber before, but thats about the extent of my meat smoking knowledge.  I'd like to get it ready within the next week so I can do a test run before trying to smoke a turkey for thanksgiving.  Any help/references would be appreciated.  I'd assume it would be a good idea to get a big fire going to burn out bugs/cobwebs, etc before doing a test run?

Sorry for the first timer questions.  Hopefully, I'll be able to contribute in the future once I get this going!

***Edit:  I reposted this in the new members area which i didn't see in my haste to sign up and ask my question.  I don't see anyplace to remove the thread so I apologize in advance***

IMG_20141114_072607_207.jpg

• jonathan soto
• Nov 17, 2014

IMG_20141114_072550_595.jpg

• jonathan soto
• Nov 17, 2014

 

[moikel]

Great score

. Clean all the crap off it ,wash all the obvious gunk off it so it doesnt burn & stink out your new neighbour hood.Evict any critters living in it &  start a fire & see what happens.Dont cook anything ,just eyeball your seals,your flu ,how it burns,how its vented.

Use logs ,get back to us.

Mick

 

[pianov]

Sure looks interesting. Where is the smokebox? Is the upper portion the smokebox? Doors to the smokebox on the sides? Is it an offset smoker then?

 

[hambone1950]

wicked cool ! yes. get a fire going and see what it does. I bet you could use charcoal when you actually cook in it. throw in some wood chunks for smoke, what a cool find.

 

[wes w]

Your in the right place my friend!  

I'll second the fact of firing it up!

Looking forward to more pictures!   Congrats on the smoker find