Building a Small Smoker

[els0806]

So, I like to do some woodworking in my spare time, and my husband loves grilling. He has been wanting a smoker, but has researched his brains out and can't decide what he wants. For Christmas, I bought him a Smokemiester, which is a little cylinder box that converts your kettle grill into a smoker. However, we have decided to not convert our grill, but to build our own wood smoker.

I have pretty much designed it: 

sides: 48 inch tall  x 18 inch depth. 

back: 48 x 24

front: some mixture of 48x24 with a door built in.

I have ordered the appropriate size shelves which are about 21 inch wide. I am using tongue and groove pine boards for the exterior, mounting it to the frame and I am going to put 3 inch rolling/locking caster wheels on. 

My questions:

1. Do I need to insulate at all? We live in NC- doesn't get too cold, but winters can be steady in 40s & 50s at night.

2. We were going to use the smokemiester for smoke only, and get a hot plate for the heat control. I seem to read a lot about hot plate issues, Can I get a safe, effective answer for this? Also, when we use the hot plate, since we don't need smoke, should I just put maybe a roasting pan with water on it?

3. Should the door be sealed some how? 

4. Does this build seem okay otherwise? 

Any tips would be greatly appreciated because I want this to be awesome for him, effective, without modifying my original plan extremely as I already have the materials. Thanks so much!!

Emily

 

[SmokinAl]

Here is a great thread on building a smokehouse.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/88853/found-a-burner-for-smokehouse

Hope this will help you.

Also would you swing by "Roll Call" & introduce yourself, so we can all welcome you to SMF!

Al

 

[ab canuck]

Hello and welcome to SMF from the Great white North  

. Browse the forums and ask lots of questions, get involved. There is a an amazing amount of info, recipes and knowledge here that are second to none. Enjoy good luck and share your experiences.  

 

[daveomak]

Emily, Good morning and welcome.... 

Congrats on building your personal smoker....   

The Smokemeister should be adequate for your needs...  Monitor, time smoke added to meats, and adjust for your personal preference...  

All smokers need air flow...  If you build the smokehouse tight, using T & G boards, there still will be air leakage, which is fine...  Sealing the door is a good idea if it doesn't seal well...  When you are finished with the smokehouse, then you can determine if it needs additional air flow....  You don't want "lingering stale smoke"...  You want a "reasonable" movement of air in the smoke chamber....   Time will tell....

Ventilation can be added by drilling many small (1/2") holes around the perimeter of the bottom and top of the walls, trying to achieve uniform air infiltration and exit....

Best wishes on your endeavor...   Pictures are a BIG part of this forums members...  

Dave