First fridge build...need help...

judgement6

Newbie

Original poster

Apr 13, 2015

9

10

• Apr 13, 2015

• #1

Hey guys,

new to smoking...new to building smokers...well researched though..I bought a mini chief...used it twice and out grew it immediately...I like smoked meat...here we go..

-going electric

here are my questions:

-do i need to strip the paint inside the fridge? if so any tips short of sand blasting?

-i know I have to replace the door panel...no biggie

I plan to use the element and dial from and electric frying pan...or something similar..and will digitize eventually...

-is it worth cutting a hole in the door to access chip pan without losing a ton of smoke? I hate to break the air tight seal just for an access panel...suggestions?

20150412_133202.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 13, 2015

20150412_133214.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 13, 2015

20150413_165111.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 13, 2015

20150413_165135.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 13, 2015

 

pithand

Newbie

Dec 29, 2013

16

10

Huffman, Tx

• Apr 14, 2015

• #2

Think your okay on the paint. It's probably enamel. You could use the mailbox mod or something like the smokedaddy. They are fun to build for sure. Which ever way you decide to go, make sure you cut the hole so it will go through the outer and inner box.

 

judgement6

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 13, 2015

9

10

• Apr 14, 2015

• #3

oh great!! thanks PIT!! ya I've lost a lot of hours of my life to research...haha..perhaps lost isn't the right word...

 

pappapig

Smoke Blower

Aug 23, 2012

148

13

Anderson South Carolina

• Apr 14, 2015

• #4

It looks like my liner, so I would second the enamel. Mailbox mad would work well and you could even hide it in the back. What kind of budget are you working on? It may be cheaper to go digital to begin with than you think.

 

gary s

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jan 6, 2011

26,255

4,705

• Apr 14, 2015

• #5

Gunna be good

 

beaverhunter

Smoke Blower

Oct 30, 2014

91

26

Mission,BC Canada

• Apr 14, 2015

• #6

Nice fridge looks good so far!:grilling_smilie:

 

beaverhunter

Smoke Blower

Oct 30, 2014

91

26

Mission,BC Canada

• Apr 14, 2015

• #7

The only problem with running chips in a pan I find is that when I do stuff at lower temps it doesn't get hot enough for the chip to burn. If I do chickens or roasts at 230 it burn the chips well but ant say 150f it won't. Have you looked into an amazen smoker for you smoke generation?

 

judgement6

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 13, 2015

9

10

• Apr 15, 2015

• #8

thanks guys!! I got it totally gutted last night..now just gotta take it to a carwash and pressure wash the components...

funny i was thinkin...rather than spending money on a chip burner it might be smarter to just go digital off that bat...you're probably right pappa pig..my budget is tight...trying to do it for under $100...found a cheap digital controller on banggood.com...so far the fridge and my new ruxol insulation have been free..so i still have $100 in my budget...ideas on best way to spend it are very welcome....

k, so what is mail box mod? i'm new remember...

 

judgement6

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 13, 2015

9

10

• Apr 15, 2015

• #9

k..after a bit of reading...tell me if i'm wrong..

you are suggesting...I build a cabinet below the fridge where i will burn chips to provide smoke...and somehow vent it into the main chamber...then in the main chamber I have a element that provides heat and maintains a nice low temp..for cooking purposes...

so if i understand correctly...there should or shouldn't be smoke in the main cabinet at all times?!?! i'm new to smoking...but man do i love to cook...

so essentially i would have a low temp oven with the ability to add smoke at various stages of cooking...or should there be smoke at all times? Also i would have two cooking elements..one for smoke..one for temp?

for your knowledge...I offer this...if you haven't...you should immediately..

 

pithand

Newbie

Dec 29, 2013

16

10

Huffman, Tx

• Apr 16, 2015

• #10

Search mailbox mod to get an idea of what it is. The wood chips or pellets aren't going to supply a lot of heat so you will need a heat source. Electric, gas or charcoal. Once you establish which heat source you're going to use, then you can figure out how you're going to install everything. Usually you want smoke going the whole time but it is not mandatory. Smoke adds flavor, heat cooks food

 

judgement6

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 13, 2015

9

10

• Apr 26, 2015

• #11

updates....re-insulated..picked up a 1500w cast iron covered frying pan..i think will work...update pics...

20150426_090356.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 26, 2015

20150426_091029.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 26, 2015

20150426_103404.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 26, 2015

20150426_103947.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 26, 2015

20150426_110240.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 26, 2015

 

judgement6

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 13, 2015

9

10

• Apr 26, 2015

• #12

just need to whip up some flashing..will do tomorrow on lunch break

 

judgement6

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 13, 2015

9

10

• Apr 26, 2015

• #13

my element...think it will work??!?!?!?

20150426_160447.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 26, 2015

20150426_160454.jpg

• judgement6
• Apr 26, 2015

its 1500w....

 

beaverhunter

Smoke Blower

Oct 30, 2014

91

26

Mission,BC Canada

• Apr 26, 2015

• #14

What are you using for flashing

 

judgement6

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 13, 2015

9

10

• Apr 26, 2015

• #15

i have an infinite supply of aluminum..;prob gonna use that..i work at a shop that pretty much only uses aluminum....and it won't be exposed..as its only where the door seals around the edge...think that is ok?

 

beaverhunter

Smoke Blower

Oct 30, 2014

91

26

Mission,BC Canada

• Apr 26, 2015

• #16

As long as it's not galvanized