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Small (Portable or Disposable) Smoker

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willeng

willeng

Newbie
Original poster
Jan 4, 2016
8
10
Texas
Hey Guys!

I go camping quite often with the Boy Scouts.  I am looking to build a small smoker (preferably at the campsite) that could smoke some ribs or brisket.  

I would really prefer one that was as cheap as possible, because I dont really want to haul it around.  

Thanks Much, 

Will
 
Check out the mini WSM, http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/newsearch?search=mini+wsm about as cheap and portable as it's going to get, depending on how hard it is to find the tamale smoker.

If you have a good sized troop, you may need to go with a full on WSM, https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=weber smokey mountain

If you are looking for troop building ideas, look at the cinder block smokers, https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=cinder block smoker not small, or very portable, but spend the day building one with the kids, then the night smoking with them?

Them most portable you will ever get will be to dig a hole, build a fire, burn it down, wrap up your food in foil and bury it. Not really smoking, but all you need is combustibles, shovels and food? 

I know I'm not seeming very helpful here, but "disposable" and "smoker" don't really work well together most times, there's a lot of art and science in making a smoker work well.
 
Yeah...  I figured that.  I have been looking on some websites like instructables, and there was one made out of a cardboard box wrapped in tin foil.  Any opinions on that?  
 
For cold smoking, sure! Maybe making cured Jerky? But even smoking ribs, it's three hours at best, I'm not thinking foil would last that long with a fire on it?

Do you have some links so I can see what they are doing with them?
 
WillEng said:
Yeah...  I figured that.  I have been looking on some websites like instructables, and there was one made out of a cardboard box wrapped in tin foil.  Any opinions on that?  
Click to expand...

The best portable don't have to pack it smoker is the campfire. get a good bed of coals and throw your smoke wood on that. All you need is a raised grate hanging off a tripod. Hmm what's that called oh yeah a Schwenker!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/174846/sqwibs-schwenker
 
dirtsailor2003 said:
The best portable don't have to pack it smoker is the campfire. get a good bed of coals and throw your smoke wood on that. All you need is a raised grate hanging off a tripod. Hmm what's that called oh yeah a Schwenker!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/174846/sqwibs-schwenker
Click to expand...
Yup, there's that as well!
WillEng said:
 
I think this was it...   

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Cardboard-Smoker/
Click to expand...
Yeah, I've seen these, actually using a metal trash can might be a better way to go. More heat retention and not much more cost, https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=trash can smoker
 
I'm just spit ballin' here. It seems to me what might work is a trench fire of sorts, burnt down to a good bedd of coals. a grill suspended over the coals, a tripod of poles around all that, finally wrapped with a welding blanket (tee-pee style). A little smoke wood and you're good to go.

 The grate could be fashioned on site from green wood branches (should be in scout manual) and all you have to pack in would be the blanket and maybe some cordage. Even that could be foregone if the tripod (or more poles if necessary) were shroulded with thick vegetation as would be done with temporary emergency shelter (again should be in manual). Think thatched roof. 

 Unfortunately the cheaper you go, the more work it is. You could possibly do it with a very large cardboard box, that you could burn afterwards, but you still have to pack it in.

 Maybe you can expand on some of my ideas and come up with something that works for you. Let us know what you come up with.
 
Last edited:
You think if I was to dig a hole and get the coals going down there, I could then make the tee-pee out of tin foil? 

For the record,  I am actually a scout who is looking for a better meal the freeze dried pasta. 
 
I could also bring some metal rods and hit them into the ground which would be a more stable base, then would just have to deal with the fragile tinfoil.  
 
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