smoke house questions

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fishingsetx

Newbie
Original poster
Jan 10, 2015
20
10
In the design phase. Right now I'm considering a 32"x32"x60" smokehouse. This will mainly be used for sausage, jerky, and if possible brisket, chicken, and such. I was looking at placing a propane cooker in the bottom (2 layers of cinder blocks with a poured concrete pad). Cast iron skillet/pot on top for smoke wood. I'd like to be able to maintain temps from 100-225. This will be built out of untreated pine. One of my big concerns is too much heat buildup. Another is propane usage.

Any thoughts?
 
Hello.  I have not built a smoke house.  Below is a good link to get some info.  I would say if using pine you may want to think about lining it.  Pine tar is not good for smoked foods.  Hopefully a more experienced member will be along shortly and provide more reliable help.  In the mean time have a read.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/88853/found-a-burner-for-smokehouse
 
I have friends that have a smoker very similar to what you are wanting. Cinder block base, 3 courses. 6' x 3' x 3' wood box on top of that. Propane cooker burner that is hard plumbed on the interior. They smoke cold, and hot, temps above 400.

One thing to consider if you plan on using store bought racks make sure you get your racks and then build your smoker around the rack size. If you plan on graning your own then build whatever you want.
 
Racks aren't a problem. I plan on building all that kind of stuff out of stainless. We have lots of scrapb at work.
 
My wife suprised me by suggesting I should build this up close to the house and in view of the road right off the driveway!! I'm just stacking the cinder blocks and building the house light in case she changes her mind! As it sits now, I won't even have to step out into the grass to use it! I had planned in putting it out in the back of the back yard! Now my wireless temp probe (maverick 733) will reach most of the house!
 
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I plan on building a stainless damper to go over the cinderblock opening facing you in the pic for air flow adjustment to the propane burner and placing another adjustable vent/stack near the top of the smokehouse. I also plan on eventually modifying a water heater controller to run and maintain the temp in the smokehouse as well as provide a safety valve. Either that or turn it into an electric and build a controller that way. Still haven't decided yet. First I gotta get the building built!
 
Got some more done this eve. I don't have but an hour or maybe a little more in the evenings and a 2.5 year old boy to chase so it'll be a slow build (wife is still at work)! Got the side walls framed and a few siding boards installed got some more cut out but ran out of daylight!

 
Got a little more done today. Got the roof on and the door frame started:


Still have to finish the door, Mount it and trim everything out. I plan to split the fence pickets down the middle leaving me with 2 3/4 x 5/8 cedar trim.

One thing I didn't account for is the gaps where the siding stacks! I gotta figure out a way to seal the edges up to prevent heat/smoke loss. Silicone would be perfect but expensive! I wonder how heat resistant the expandable foam in a can (great stuff) is once cured? Anyone know? Anyone have any other ideas?
 
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