Cedar Smoker Build Advise

[CedarSmoker]

I'm in the process of building an electric smoker out of cedar. It will be about

• 7.5 cubic feet with dimensions
• 24 inches wide,
• 18 inches deep, and about
• 30 inches tall. I purchased a
• 1200-watt heating element and an
• InkBird 106VH PID controller kit which also includes a
• 40A SSR, a
• heat sink, and a
• K type thermocouple.

Short of reasonable guesswork I'm not sure on the placement of the heating element - such as the distance from the bottom, centered on the smoker width, or favoring the left or right side. Secondly, I'm wondering how close to the element the chip tray should be. Also, the placement of the water pan in relation to the chip tray or the lowest rack position. Lastly, what is the best location to position the thermocouple inside the smoker?

Any additional advice or comments are welcome to this first-time smoker builder.

Cheers!

 

[Winterrider]

Welcome aboard.
Tons of information here or if need more specifics, sure someone has your answer.

Smoker Builds

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[JckDanls 07]

First, welcome to the forums, Your new playground ...

You got everything that's needed.. Almost... You will need some kind of protection around the bottom and the sides (6"-8") from the heat element (which mine sits about 2" off the bottom)

My smokehouse is just 1/2" plywood... I use the 16x16 stepping stones... Cut to fit/cover the bottom... Then split some in half to stand on edge around the sides... Now you can set your element down in there...

My element(s) has a 1/8" plate of metal under it... A base if you will... One side, or a tab, is bent at a 90" upward with a bracket to hold the base of the heat element... A couple of wrap around legs at the other end... (look at the heat element in your stove, It should have a couple of the legs I'm talking about)... Everythings holding the element about 1.5" - 2" of the bottom...

 

[CedarSmoker]

Welcome aboard.
Tons of information here or if need more specifics, sure someone has your answer.

Smoker Builds

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Thank you for the warm welcome. It's a great and informative site. I learned a lot already from reading other's posts. I look forward to the [delicious] journey.

Cheers

 

[CedarSmoker]

First, welcome to the forums, Your new playground ...

You got everything that's needed.. Almost... You will need some kind of protection around the bottom and the sides (6"-8") from the heat element (which mine sits about 2" off the bottom)

My smokehouse is just 1/2" plywood... I use the 16x16 stepping stones... Cut to fit/cover the bottom... Then split some in half to stand on edge around the sides... Now you can set your element down in there...

My element(s) has a 1/8" plate of metal under it... A base if you will... One side, or a tab, is bent at a 90" upward with a bracket to hold the base of the heat element... A couple of wrap around legs at the other end... (look at the heat element in your stove, It should have a couple of the legs I'm talking about)... Everythings holding the element about 1.5" - 2" of the bottom...

Thanks for the welcome! It's good to know I'm almost there with the "parts". I was checking out some home Depot fire brick for the element surround. That might be overkill, but it can't hurt. I'll try to get some photos posted when it's complete.
One more thing - where should I have posted this question? I'm still learning my way around.

Thanks for the help and advise.

Cheers!