Aluminum Smoke Boxes

[smokinberto]

 I have a MPS (masterbuilt propane smoker) the flame disk bowl as it's called allows flames to ignite the wood chips. I'm considering making 3 triangular smoking boxes out of aluminum to place in the 3 pie slice shaped spaces in the disk. Will aluminum have an adverse affect on flavor of my cooks?

I bought a cast iron smoke box & placed it on the ring around the burner, gave a lot of smoke but burned up to quick.

 

[chef jimmyj]

Can't see why it would. Many of my Pots are Aluminum. I use foil in my Smoker for a variety of things. Lastly, Many Propane Grills have Aluminum shells. You will be fine...JJ

 

[jftx]

Aluminum alloys and steel don't really mix well.  Over a period of time you will find that the alloys will attack the steel and cause it to corrode (It's called galvanic corrosion).  I'll be the first to say I'm not an authority on the subject but I don't think I would use it.  I know it usually takes time for the corrosive process to occur in everyday environments.  However, I would be interested to know if the heat from the smoker would act as a catalyst to speed up that process.  I wonder if there's anyone around here that has a more comprehensive knowledge of the subject.  I know a lot of people line the bottom of their smokers with foil and i do the same thing.  I don't worry about that because I change it out on a frequent basis. I don't know, I could be over thinking it and it might be just fine.  I myself however, wouldn't do it.   

 

[chef jimmyj]

Galvanic action can only take place with the addition of a catalyst and a conductor, specifically an Aqueous Electrolyte...Salt water, Acid such as Vinegar, or a Base, Baking Soda or Lye in solution. Heat can only slightly increase the Electrolysis, the transfer of electrons from one metal to the other and in this case the heat source is sufficiently high that even " IF " one of the above electrolytic liquids came in contact with the steel pan and aluminum boxes the heat would Instantly Vaporize the moisture and render the remaining Salt, etc incapable of further conduction...

The only possible downside is IF you live in a high humidity area AND you let stuff drip on your set up AND you never clean the smoker, there may eventually be some corrosion.

I am a Chef now but my first degree was in Electrical Engineering Technology with a minor in Chemistry...

...JJ

 

[mikeintx]

FWIW, I ditched the Masterbuilt smoke box completely because of the same problem you are having, and replaced it with a 9" cast iron skillet propped up on 2 paving stones and a wire grate. It provides an almost perfect smoke when using fist-sized chunks of wood. No burning and no unintended heat increase due to wood catching on fire. I looked at the aluminum ones and couldn't find anything that would hold more than a small amount of wood chips. My fix was about $9 for the pan, 59 cents each for the two pavers, and the wire rack is a cooling rack that I already had in the kitchen cabinet. Cheap and works like a champ.

Looks like this:

smoker.JPG

• mikeintx
• Jan 19, 2013

 

[jftx]

Galvanic action can only take place with the addition of a catalyst and a conductor, specifically an Aqueous Electrolyte...Salt water, Acid such as Vinegar, or a Base, Baking Soda or Lye in solution. Heat can only slightly increase the Electrolysis, the transfer of electrons from one metal to the other and in this case the heat source is sufficiently high that even " IF " one of the above electrolytic liquids came in contact with the steel pan and aluminum boxes the heat would Instantly Vaporize the moisture and render the remaining Salt, etc incapable of further conduction...

The only possible downside is IF you live in a high humidity area AND you let stuff drip on your set up AND you never clean the smoker, there may eventually be some corrosion.

I am a Chef now but my first degree was in Electrical Engineering Technology with a minor in Chemistry...

...JJ

Thats good info to know. Thanks for chiming in.