Cedar Smoke House Build (Steel Frame)

jonssmokehouse · Jul 13, 2012

Cedar smoke-house on existing steel BBQ spit frame.

Jon.

Frame made of red oak. Fits onto existing steel frame also used as a BBQ spit.

Cedar lining for exterior.

Time to fit hardware. Would like have a smoke vent that can be regulated from open to fully closed. Hoping someone can input some ideas.

Jon.

pops6927 · Jul 13, 2012

I used air vents in mine (click on Smokehouse in the bottom of this post). Great looking build, excellent woodworking skills! What are you going to use for a flame source? You'd want to mount a thermometer or two also. On the air vents, you can mount them on each side top and bottom and seal them in. Then, depending on which way the wind is blowing, open a bottom one on one side and a top one on the other side, creating your draft and adjust as necessary. Also, check out 'the mailbox' on it too, lol!

babysmokologist · Jul 13, 2012

Very nice!

jonssmokehouse · Jul 14, 2012

He he cool mailbox you have there Pops,

I really like the vent idea, a mate of mine also suggested it. If I place one on the upper side I should be able to regulate smoke level well.

If that doesn't work I'm thinking of using a truck exhaust cap and round tube.

And If that doesn't work ill make one out of 50mm square tubing and make a couple lids each with varying sized smoke holes.

I'm still undecided for heat source. Ideally I would like it to be external and have a couple inlets into the box. I'm thinking gas burners but if I can get some electric burners to get up to a high temp I'll use those.

pops6927 · Jul 14, 2012

Be careful with the electric burners, they are only as good as the least amount of electric cord on them; the longer the cord or extension, the lower heat output from wire resistance. I had a Cabela's electric vertical; worked fine with the 4' attached cord. Added a heavy-duty 10' extension and it couldn't get high enough to get chunks smoldering.

jonssmokehouse · Jul 14, 2012

That's good information to know, you sound like an electrical engineer! In that case I'll run gas.

I found these wire shelves at a hardware store in Melbourne. They have a zinc coating. I was thinking of burning off the zinc and using these as racks as they fit the box perfect. They are pretty expensive though so I'm hoping others on here could share better/cheaper ideas.

scarbelly · Jul 14, 2012

See if you can find some expanded metal - it would be great grates

chilefarmer · Jul 14, 2012

I really like the way you have things going. looking mighty fine. Love the wood work.

Here is an idea that I used on my smoker for vents. Worked good for me. They are air vents for horse trailer. Called butterfly vents. About 8" dia. CF

jonssmokehouse · Jul 15, 2012

Think your right Scarbelly, I'll probably make some frames and weld some expanded sheet on there.

Thanks chilefarmer I wasn't sure what the circular vents were called, now I know. Making the smoke vent is next on the agenda.

Smoke generator is installed now. 50mm square tube with fence post lids top & bottom (Bottom lid has slots cut out for ignition)

Standard venturi type set up using old fish air pump, car antenna, air-gun needle and brass fittings.

jonssmokehouse · Jul 17, 2012

Smoke Chimney.

Fence post tube, bracket & cap.

schmedleyp · Aug 14, 2012

All I can say is "Sweet"

Keep this thread going. I just built a smoke generator and am saving up for the wood to build a smokehouse.

Got the plans from a website at the university of Conn. Posted by Faustman and Blodgett called "Build Your Own Smokehouse"

scarbelly · Aug 14, 2012

Are you able to regulate the amount of smoke the generator puts out? What I saw was A LOT of smoke which is going to cause you issues

diggingdogfarm · Aug 14, 2012

chilefarmer said:
I really like the way you have things going. looking mighty fine. Love the wood work.
Here is an idea that I used on my smoker for vents. Worked good for me. They are air vents for horse trailer. Called butterfly vents. About 8" dia. CF

Is yours aluminum or stainless steel?

Where did you purchase yours?

Thanks!

~Martin

jonssmokehouse · Aug 14, 2012

Hi gents haven't had a chance to do much work on the smoke house because I've been busy with work but finally I can finish it off now.

I've decided to make the smoke house just for jerky and cold smoked foods because I'm expecting it will go up in flames otherwise.

For hot smoking I'm going to build a drum smoker (next project)

schmedleyp said:
All I can say is "Sweet"

Keep this thread going. I just built a smoke generator and am saving up for the wood to build a smokehouse.

Got the plans from a website at the university of Conn. Posted by Faustman and Blodgett called "Build Your Own Smokehouse"

Looking forward to seeing it!

Scarbelly said:
Are you able to regulate the amount of smoke the generator puts out? What I saw was A LOT of smoke which is going to cause you issues

I realized the air pump setting was on high, so if its on low it should output a lot less smoke but I made a vent on both sides to help regulate smoke. What are the issues of having too much smoke? Ruin the taste of meat?

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jonssmokehouse
Aug 14, 2012

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jonssmokehouse
Aug 14, 2012

Another way to regulate smoke??? (Black stuff is heat resistant spray, was experimenting)

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jonssmokehouse
Aug 14, 2012

scarbelly · Aug 14, 2012

Over smoking will create creosote and taste nasty

tjohnson · Aug 15, 2012

Couple things.....

Your "Venturi Smoker" looks to be made of galvanized metal = Not Good! Zinc fumes can be dangerous!!

Oversmoking causes a bitter taste on your meat

Venturi Type Smoke Generators are quite easy to make, but if not operated correctly, generate nasty chemicals like creosote.

Just because you can make smoke, does not mean it's good quality smoke

You'll soon notice a gooey substance that will clog the exhaust tube of your venturi smoker

The box looks cool!

Use some expanded metal and angle iron to make some racks

Stay away from any galvanized metal in your smoker!!!

Todd

chilefarmer · Aug 15, 2012

Martin, I bought the vents off the internet, don't remember where. Any trailer supply co. will have them. The ones that I have are aluminum, stainless is available, cost is a bit more. Mine work fine. CF

michael ark · Aug 15, 2012

Looks great!:sausage:

jonssmokehouse · Aug 16, 2012

Thanks for the info regarding creosote. What are the things i need to know to properly use a home made venturi smoker and avoid creating creosote?

I will burn off galvanized layer on steel no dramas there.

jonssmokehouse · Sep 9, 2012

It's been a while since I've had a chance to finish the smoke house and I wanted to smoke something for the weekend so I got around making a UDS.

The idea is that this UDS will be for the hot smoking and the smoke house for cold. (I promise to finish the smoke house before Christmas hehe)

Here's some pics

Fired it up first time yesterday. Cooked for about 13 hours. Very happy with results, will have to experiment with other variations of rubs and heating.

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jonssmokehouse
Sep 9, 2012

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Sep 9, 2012

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jonssmokehouse
Sep 9, 2012

Cedar Smoke House Build (Steel Frame)

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