2nd hand stainless Chinese bun steamer convert to side or bottom heat source??

[expat smoker]

100_0843.JPG

• expat smoker
• Mar 26, 2013

this is the box as I bought it.  note the bottom with well for steamer water and drain on outside

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• expat smoker
• Mar 26, 2013

bottom of box with drain for steamer water

100_0846.JPG

• expat smoker
• Mar 26, 2013

top of box with small chimney and thermometer [that will have to be replaced]

This was formerly a Chinese bun steamer with a gas heat source and bottom was the water source and steam would flow up to a small 1 inch chimney.

Extremely well made and heavy duty and almost spotless.

The outside dimensions are 20x20, inside 18x18 inches. It has double heavy gauge stainless [and insulated?] walls with same construction door with a 5x10 inch glass window and hung on heavy stainless hinges.

I want to convert this beautiful stainless monster to a combination hot/cold smoker and haven’t made up my mind about a side mount heat source or vertical with heat source at bottom.

This was formerly a Chinese bun steamer with a gas heat source and bottom was the water source and steam would flow up to a small 1 inch chimney.

Extremely well made and heavy duty and almost spotless.

The outside dimensions are 20x20, inside 18x18 inches. It has double heavy gauge stainless [and insulated?] walls with same construction door with a 5x10 inch glass window and hung on heavy stainless hinges.

I want to convert this beautiful stainless monster to a combination hot/cold smoker and haven’t made up my mind about a side mount heat source or vertical with heat source at bottom.

Any input for a 'make over' will be appreciated. 

Here in Thailand I can get most custom fabrications done quite cheaply with good drawings or photos.

First question is bottom heat source or side mount??

More questions to follow.

Thanks in advance for your feedback...........

 

[expat smoker]

here I am replying to my own post.........

One design that I could maybe knock off would be the
[h3]Masterbuilt 20051311 GS30D 2-Door Propane Smoker[/h3]
and I would like to raise it a little off the ground so I don't have to bend over so far to watch the flame.  Thinking that it could get a little top heavy, so the base addition could be a bit larger and maybe mounted on large castor wheels??

 

[daveomak]

expat, morning....  I'm not sure what I would do with it....  It's a beautiful cabinet...  that would take some serious thinking...

I'm leaning toward one of these  mini propane burners.....  Your cabinet is small and well insulated.... It won't take much to heat it..... these are "ready to go" type...    What are your thoughts ??  If the mini-v will heat an uninsulated vertical smoker, it surely will heat your insulated cabinet.... 

Dave

http://gassmoker.com/c-burner.htm

http://gassmoker.com/v-burner.htm

http://gassmoker.com/mini-v.htm

 

[expat smoker]

Thanks Dave for your input and right you are in that it won't take much to heat it, so I'll start looking around for a smaller gas 'hob'.  The one that I have been using on my old rig is a locally made blaster that the Thais use for stir frying and I have a hard time keeping the temp down below 250f.  What is this 'mini-v' you speak of??

After much thought, I've decided on a vertical rig and will build a steel frame with sheet metal sides and a door to feed chips and adjust the flame.  the box would be a few inches larger than the bottom of the 'cabinet' for stability and shouldn't have to be insulated, right?  Could put it on castor wheels if I want to move it.  The box under would be approx 18 inches high and another 5 or 6 inches for the wheels, placing the cabinet more at eye level, yet not too high to access.

question is, it I have an access door in it, would opening it affect the temps much??

thanks again,

Jack
 

 

[daveomak]

Jack....  If you put the burner in the box, it will need lots of air and venting..... shouldn't hurt the temps....  same air going in the smoker.all the time.....   Dave

 

[expat smoker]

Dave, would it make much sense to fabricate a funnel type of arrangement between the heat/smoke source or would a simple hole in the floor of the cabinet above draw the heat up??  And is there any consideration as to the size of the hole in the top of the heat box/floor of the cabinet and the chimney at the top, which is way too small @ 1 inch diameter.  Of course I'll have a damper in the chimney.....do I need one in the floor?

thanks again, Jack
 

 

[daveomak]

Jack, evening.... This is the way I ran my mailbox mod for my MES.... 3 each 3/4" holes in the MB Door, 3" in the back and the ductwork to the smoker....   The exhaust is factory... 4 each pie holes about 3/4 sq in. each....  Full, flow through air/heat/smoke.... that is how I run it...no dampers closed.... I feel good air flow is important...

A hole above the flame, about 3", maybe, with a heat deflector above that....I think you will find some trial and error work to get it right, the way it works best for you...  And lastly, the heat tunnel to mix and distribute the smoke....   works for me.....   Anything even remotely close should work for you.....   I hope I answered your question in a round about way.... each smoker is unique....  Dave

inside mailbox.jpg

• daveomak
• Mar 28, 2013

AMNPS and Mailbox mod.jpg

• daveomak
• Mar 28, 2013

smoke in the smoker.jpg

• daveomak
• Mar 28, 2013

tunnel holding wire.jpg

• daveomak
• Mar 28, 2013

3 where it fits.jpg

• daveomak
• Mar 28, 2013

 

[expat smoker]

OK Dave......if I read you correctly, then what you are saying is that I don't have to worry about too much air in the bottom box where the heat source will be?? That would make the construction a lot easier if I don't have to make it airtight.  I was hoping that I wouldn't have to use gaskets for the door and again, if I am reading you right, then I can use pop rivets or spot weld to attach sheet steel to the walls of the box and not weld it air tight??

Sorry for being such a dummy, but what does 'MES' mean??  and could I ask you to explain the last pic you posted.

Oh, I can easily pick up 5 inch diameter aluminum ducting and am hoping to be able to work with that for the cold smoke.......any problems??

Jack

 

[boykjo]

How about an electric hot plate or a gas burner like this

gas burner.jpg

• boykjo
• Mar 28, 2013

at the bottom along with a pellet smoker. Install a damper at the bottom for some air flow.... I know its a little hard to get certain things in thai

Just another thought

 

[daveomak]

You are correct.... plenty of air is needed where a propane burner is used.... MES is Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.....  Sorry for not mentioning that.....  Dave

 

[expat smoker]

How about an electric hot plate or a gas burner like this

gas burner.jpg

• boykjo
• Mar 28, 2013

at the bottom along with a pellet smoker. Install a damper at the bottom for some air flow.... I know its a little hard to get certain things in thai

Just another thought

Boykjo.....I have a gas hob about the same construction as that, but it burns super hot in my old smoker ........so hot that it's hard to maintain temps under 300f, but I'm on the lookout for a smaller one

 

[expat smoker]

You are correct.... plenty of air is needed where a propane burner is used.... MES is Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.....  Sorry for not mentioning that.....  Dave

That's good that I don't have to worry about building the box air tight.  Yea, it looked like some kind of electric burner, but I want to stay with gas and maybe charcoal and chips.

Jack