1950's General Electric Fridge To Pellet Smoker

[Wade Ralston]

So after spending several days to smoke just a few pounds of pepper sticks and summer sausage I decided it was time to build a bigger smoker with more space. The Treager just wasn't going to work for this anymore. Thanks to this site and a thread by Dennis Cummins I came across my build of choice. I got lucky and found this fridge within 2 hours of my home in Eastern Washington for $50. I will do my best to get pictures of the build. The last picture is the general idea of what I am going for.

 

[Wade Ralston]

 

[Wade Ralston]

 

[Wade Ralston]

 

[ososmokeshack]

I’m in for this one! Gonna be sweet!

 

[forktender]

So after spending several days to smoke just a few pounds of pepper sticks and summer sausage I decided it was time to build a bigger smoker with more space. The Treager just wasn't going to work for this anymore. Thanks to this site and a thread by Dennis Cummins I came across my build of choice. I got lucky and found this fridge within 2 hours of my home in Eastern Washington for $50. I will do my best to get pictures of the build. The last picture is the general idea of what I am going for.View attachment 440702

I have the exact same fridge, when it dies/if it dies before I do I have plans to turn it into a smoker as well
The thing is 10 yrs older than me and it still keeps my beers ICE, ICE cold it's by far the best refer I've had in my lifetime.

I plan on turning it into a gravity fed charcoal smoker and use it as a cold smoker for curing salmon, sausage, salami, bacon and cheese. I have a feeling the thing is going to out live me thought, man they sure made things to last back in those day, none of this cheap made in China crap like they sell now'a days.
These things are build like a Sherman tank compared to the new refers.

I'll be watching this build for sure.....great find and what a deal for $50 you scored big time.

It looks like you are off to a great start best of luck.
Dan

 

[forktender]

My wife just caught that on ours the handle is vertical instead of horizontal, so I guess it's not exact. LOL!!!

 

[Mastercaster]

Watching

 

[Wade Ralston]

Just a little update on the build. So we had to add a new floor in the bottom of the shell as it was rusted out. Not totally but bad enough. I then sprayed the inside of the shell and door with some fust stop and blacked it all out. I built an angle iron base that I put on 4 swivel casters for easy manufacturing. We now have the whole shell rid of dents using automotive fillers and the touch of my dad who was a 39 year auto body journeyman. It is now all straight and primed with automotive primers and ready to sand for paint. Waiting for the Smokedaddy pellet hopper and cold smoker so we can fit it all up before paint.

 

[Mastercaster]

Looks like you’re doing it right. Keep us posted!

 

[2008RN]

She is looking good. I Love my 51 GE. Few weeks back I did 20 lbs of cheese, last week was a top sirloin. Keep the pictures coming.

 

[Wade Ralston]

And the build continues. Outside is all block sanded and ready for paint. Inside is all insulated with Rockwool fire and water proof installation. All plastic trim panels replaced with metal flashing. Door tomorrow then wait for hopper and cold smoke components. Fit up and paint. Definitely looking forward to getting it done and smoking.

 

[2008RN]

looking great, Boy does this bring back memories. Really interested in seeing the pellet setup. Keep the pictures coming.

 

[Wade Ralston]

Smoke stacks fitted up and installed. I rolled some stainless flashing to fit the holes through the outer shell and into the interior walls. I left the outside long buy an inch and it fits into the pipe for the stack perfectly. Left the inside long by a 1/4 of an inch. I cut a 4 pieces of 3/8 copper tubing and put them in the insulation and ran the 1/4 x 20 stainless bolts through the tubing in order to be able to tighten down the smoke stacks without pulling the walls together. Then high temperature stove silicone around the flashing inside and out. Now waiting for the Hopper, Cold smoke, and convection fan to arrive.

 

[2008RN]

keep up the great work

 

[Khrakk]

Pretty sweet. I'm anxious to see the finished product and seeing that first brisket come out of it. Really nice job!

 

[Wade Ralston]

Pretty sweet. I'm anxious to see the finished product and seeing that first brisket come out of it. Really nice job!

Thank You

 

[one eyed jack]

Great progress for 1 week. Looks like she'll be a first class smoker, and a real looker.

 

[Canadagrown]

And the build continues. Outside is all block sanded and ready for paint. Inside is all insulated with Rockwool fire and water proof installation. All plastic trim panels replaced with metal flashing. Door tomorrow then wait for hopper and cold smoke components. Fit up and paint. Definitely looking forward to getting it done and smoking.View attachment 441982View attachment 441983View attachment 441984View attachment 441985View attachment 441986View attachment 441987View attachment 441988View attachment 441989View attachment 441990View attachment 441991

What did you use for flashing on the inside corners? Looks great.