Oven/smoker mod question

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fire it up

Smoking Guru
Original poster
OTBS Member
Feb 24, 2009
5,167
14
South Jersey
So I'm hoping this was the right place to put this.
Question is...
I'm turning an old oven into a smoker, I have it all stripped bare and the elements out. Now any holes that are left behind from talking out the elements, what should I seal them with? I was figuring on putting the screws back in the holes they came out of but there are other areas that I would have to cover. I figured on cutting a circle of metal for the bigger holes but there are a few smaller, bigger than pin but not huge, holes in it as well that I would prefer not to have exposed.
I'm not a welder but have access to a welding torch, I think someone around has one but if there is another way that would be great.
How about some duct tape? That fixes everything.
joking
Thanks for any help
 
Get some Gorilla glue type product or maybe some type of epoxy from a hardware store for the smaller holes. I'm sure they cah help. There are other products, I just can't remember them. I know they have products for welding in a tube.

Good luck!
 
Thanks ron.
I looked on the Gorilla Glue site and checked out their paints but didn't see anywhere that said if it was safe to use in something that was heated.
I only have the small holes (mostly) to fill in so if it is safe and good to go that would be great. Going to stop by Lowes tomorrow , Home Depot if I have to, and see if they can help. Just hate when you ask them a question and end up knowing more than they do about the subject, even if not much.
Didn't know there was such a thing as welding in tube type of material. Long as it has good heat resistance (assume it does) then that would work great!
Crossing my fingers.
 
Screws and space washers are always the safe bet. No chemicals to worry about. If you have access to the backside, you can sandwhich the hole with a washer on both sides. Also I would be very careful about welding. The coatings in the oven could produce very toxic fumes when welded. JMHO
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Think for the most part I will just add washers if possible, cut a piece of metal if a washer wouldn't work.
Here are 2 pics of where I am at so far.
First one I took last night, it is a little blurry but unlike the other you can make out the vent stacks. The other I just took a few minutes ago when the sun was out and you can see the few little holes I have to seal. Also this particular oven had a side broiler and not one underneath, so I am using the smaller side broiler and the oven side as 2 separate smokers, that way I can not only smoke more things at once, but 2 completely different woods, and am wondering if I will be able to add a removable vent to combine the two on top for a third smoke, or if it cools enough by then hopefully a removable cold smoke box.




Biggest thing left, I think, will be cutting outt he bottom so I can add the hot plates.
Thanks for looking, and thanks for the helpful comments everyone.
Oh, and yes there still is one element in the smaller side, I just haven't removed it yet.
 
Way easy with it that accessable. The big hole you can fill the same way. get a couple 4 inch pieces of stainless or non treated metal, and sandwhich the hole. great looking project! Got me thinking about maybe building my own smokehouse on wheels.
PDT_Armataz_01_20.gif
 
You can use food grade high temp silicone, but I've used standard bath and shower silicone caulk with good results. All that I've used is rated to around 700 deg IIRC.
 
I have made the fender washer sandwich many times for many different situations
biggrin.gif



It all depends on what is on hand and what tools you have to work with.


Simple sheet metal like roof flashing or unused sheet metal from the outer skin of that stove if there is any, self drilling screws, pop rivits, JB Weld, real welding or brazing.......the possibilities are endless
 
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