Newbies 1st home build?need advice.

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 2, 2014

• #1

hello and hows it goin?

just got off the Roll Call thread and want to get started.

I have been reading up on your builds, and acquired an old Serval gas refrigerator from my buddies cabin in northern Michigan.  Its been non functional for at least the past 20 years holding dry goods and keeping the mice away from foods.

quick history:

got a little chief for xmas years ago and had fun with it, then got a bigger gas smoker that has been a PITA!  I need a smoker that will cold smoke fish, and still cook ribs and butts doing both in cold climate temps.(and not need me to stand over it)

I will post up pix via smart phone soon, tear down, build up, and completion.

What I would like is some guidance from the "old salts" and whoever else has experience in this area.

I plan to re insulate with Roxul to keep temps consistent, use electric element,smoke generator, and PID to monitor it all.

Size 3.8 cu ft.(ya its small, but I don't feed the masses)

finned strip heater(need wattage recommendation)or other type suggestion.

smoke daddy generator

Well, that's where I stand for now.

thanks for any info

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 2, 2014

• #2

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 2, 2014

A few before pics

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 2, 2014

• #3

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 2, 2014

One with the mechanical out.

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 2, 2014

• #4

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 2, 2014

Sorry for the double up
Gutted out, had paper insulation.
Boy they put these things together back then.

 

bobank03

Smoking Fanatic

Jun 17, 2013

946

33

Nutting Lake MA USA

• Aug 3, 2014

• #5

Looking good, Matt. I haven't followed  a fridge build yet, so looking forward to the ride! 

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 3, 2014

• #6

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 3, 2014

Got the door apart and put some mineral wool in. (Menards didn't have Roxul)

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 3, 2014

Finished door with some sheet metal and original corners that were metal. Not showroom quality but should hold up to the heat.
Need some gasket material and that parts done.

 

cnjconcrete

Newbie

Aug 4, 2014

1

10

• Aug 4, 2014

• #7

u stated on installing a PID controller. I am building a smoker out of an old refrig that looks basic to yours. I was wondering what pid controller your gonna use an which heating element? Thanks

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 5, 2014

• #8

http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showthread.php?315-PID-Controller

read up on this a bit, I did, and that's where my inspiration is coming from.

also:http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/91229/just-the-beginning-of-my-fridge-smoker-project

this has me making good progress also.

my fridge is small tho, only 17" wide, so I couldn't get the bigger element from Grainger, so I odered the 1250watt, with the size only 3.7cu ft., it should do the job. I hope.

will have more pics up soon, cant wait to get my smoke on.

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 12, 2014

• #9

Well I just got my MGT high temp wire and putting the first burn to the Vulcan 1250w element.
Also got my PID box together, but I made a mistake with the SSR, so I'm waiting for the replacement to arrive from Auber.

Won't be long now.

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 12, 2014

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 12, 2014

• #10

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 12, 2014

Vulcan 1250w

 

5oakssmoker

Smoke Blower

May 7, 2014

102

11

Kell, IL

• Aug 13, 2014

• #11

How does that element work? Would like some info on that one, I like the small profile, might work well in my build. Can't seem to find it online though.

 

handymanstan

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

Oct 27, 2012

989

48

Lansing Michigan

• Aug 13, 2014

• #12

Welcome to the forum from Lansing Matt.  And what a great forum it is to learn the art of smoking everything.

Sorry I missed you in roll call.

We have a Michigan group here.  http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/groups/show/27/michigan-members-group          

If you get a chance check it out and please join if you have not done so yet.

We have a yearly get together and I hope you can make it next year.  We also have occasional cheese smokes here or there so if you can join in please do.

Your build is going to be a great smoker and I look forward to seeing some Smokey goodness from it.

It’s always nice to see another Michigander here.

Stan

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 13, 2014

• #13

Thanks Matt,
Will get signed up soon.
Just doin a little each night towards completion, my brother is coming over this weekend to get the PID sorted out,and by then I should have it resdy to roll minus The Big Kahuna.

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 13, 2014

Got the box insulated with 3.5" of mineral wool and secured the liner.

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 14, 2014

• #14

Got my first heat cycle going on now, 300F in less than 20 mins !
No smoke , Kahuna still in route.

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 14, 2014

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 14, 2014

• #15

5OaksSmoker said:

 
How does that element work? Would like some info on that one, I like the small profile, might work well in my build. Can't seem to find it online though.

Click to expand...

http://www.grainger.com/product/VULCAN-Finned-Strip-Heater-WP104479/_/N-m2r?suggestConfigId=2&s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/2E924_AS01?$smthumb$

there are a few opions for sizes and wattages from them, I used the 1250w and it heated my smoker to 400F, way over what I need.

 

bobank03

Smoking Fanatic

Jun 17, 2013

946

33

Nutting Lake MA USA

• Aug 14, 2014

• #16

can it run at lower temps? Looks like it's coming together! 

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 14, 2014

• #17

Yes.
With the PID it should stay wherever I put it.

 

5oakssmoker

Smoke Blower

May 7, 2014

102

11

Kell, IL

• Aug 15, 2014

• #18

Thanks for the link, I'm really looking for a good electric solution to my smoker. So that I can run it with a PID controller.

 

michiganmatt

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 2, 2014

34

14

S.E. Michigan

• Aug 17, 2014

• #19

Well got it all put together today and ran the Kahuna along with the PID and was relieved that it worked just as I hoped it would.

Lighting the smoke daddy was effortless with a propane torch, I used some hickory chunks and after bout 30 seconds I put the lid on and adjusted the pump to high to get it rolling, then shut off the air to see that I have good draft and it puffed away on its own.

The temp with the electric element and PID are rock steady, with the damper closed or open, making me believe I can use this "THING" in the dead of winter when my "Q" tooth is aching.

I have some hi-temp food grade sealant coming this week, so next weekend will be my 1st cook, might go balls out and try a brisket!

This build was a direct result of the people that have shared their knowledge of this hobby/passion online for anyone to copy, so to you, I say thank you!

image.jpg

• michiganmatt
• Aug 17, 2014

 

madman mike

Smoking Fanatic

Feb 6, 2014

314

18

• Aug 18, 2014

• #20

Good looking build!