Hello all, Ive been a lurker on this site for a while. I must say I have learned a great deal from all of you, so a big Thanks. The members I have had contact with have been great. Well, I was talking to a chef buddy of mine the other day and I told him to keep an eye out for an old fridge that I could convert to a smoker. He got a big smile and said I have something you might be interested in. He had a food warming cabinet that hasn't been used in several years. It has been outside on their loading dock. Of course I snapped that and a stainless steel pan rack he offered me right up. I may cut down the rack and insert it at shelving/rack holders. Actually the cabinet still works. I plugged it in for about 15 mins and it got to about 86 degrees. Well, I want to convert it to a smoker. I took one of the handles off and it appears to be packed with that yellowish fiberglass insulation batting. I think the interior is aluminum. Not positive but that's what it looks like to me. Well here are some questions/opinions for you veteran builders. And some pics of the unit.
1. Propane or Elect? I have a GOSM BB already and like it. But I constantly have to babysit to keep the temp where I need it. I would like the ease of electric with a pid in that respect.
2. If Elect, should I go 110 or 220? My cousin who is a veteran smoker and built many says 220 is what I should do. Well I'm not wired for 220 and to do so wold probable lead me into having to upgrade my box in my house. Its pretty stuffed already. The interior dimensions are approx 29"deep x 24" wide x 51" tall. That's approx 20.5 cubic feet. Can I get away with 110 on that much space? The unit has good insulation as far as I can tell. What size element in 110? I looked at some plug n play Aubrin PIDs and it looked to me that they would only control a 1440 watt element in 110v. Is that right?
3. Ive been searching for what can use for racks inside. Ive seen some have used expanded steel shelving. Where can I get that? Will baking cooling racks work for the interior. some are chrome, some are steel. Want to find something economical. I'm planning to use 1 or 2 AMNPS for the smoke generator.
4. What do some of you use for lower intake vents?
Sorry is some of these are redundant. Ive looked at a ton of builds and have done alot of searches. I am kinda the forrest gump of electrical. So use small words...lol. Luckily I have a brother in-law who's an electrical engineer and a cousin who welds and does fabrication if I need something made. Any help would bee appreciated.........Matt
Here is the unit..
Thanks for looking and let me know what you think?
1. Propane or Elect? I have a GOSM BB already and like it. But I constantly have to babysit to keep the temp where I need it. I would like the ease of electric with a pid in that respect.
2. If Elect, should I go 110 or 220? My cousin who is a veteran smoker and built many says 220 is what I should do. Well I'm not wired for 220 and to do so wold probable lead me into having to upgrade my box in my house. Its pretty stuffed already. The interior dimensions are approx 29"deep x 24" wide x 51" tall. That's approx 20.5 cubic feet. Can I get away with 110 on that much space? The unit has good insulation as far as I can tell. What size element in 110? I looked at some plug n play Aubrin PIDs and it looked to me that they would only control a 1440 watt element in 110v. Is that right?
3. Ive been searching for what can use for racks inside. Ive seen some have used expanded steel shelving. Where can I get that? Will baking cooling racks work for the interior. some are chrome, some are steel. Want to find something economical. I'm planning to use 1 or 2 AMNPS for the smoke generator.
4. What do some of you use for lower intake vents?
Sorry is some of these are redundant. Ive looked at a ton of builds and have done alot of searches. I am kinda the forrest gump of electrical. So use small words...lol. Luckily I have a brother in-law who's an electrical engineer and a cousin who welds and does fabrication if I need something made. Any help would bee appreciated.........Matt
Here is the unit..
Thanks for looking and let me know what you think?
