chest freezer smoker build

[steve gilliland]

I'm a new member and a new smoker. I have a small chest freezer that quit working and need advise and details about turning it into a smoker. I have no smoking experience so please help

Thanks

Steve

 

[crankybuzzard]

Can you give us some more details?  What size it it, do you plan to set it on end so that the door opens like a frig?  How old is it, and what's the inside material made of?

Do you want electric, wood, charcoal, or propane for the heat source?

That should help get the ball rolling.  

 

[steve gilliland]

Dear Cranky

Do you think I would be better off trying to add an offset firebox to my garage sale smoker and modifying it rather than tackling a freezer build?

Steve

 

[crankybuzzard]

 
Dear Cranky

Do you think I would be better off trying to add an offset firebox to my garage sale smoker and modifying it rather than tackling a freezer build?

Steve

Well, before I can answer, I need more info about that smoker as well....

 

[steve gilliland]

Cranky

What I have now is a little Char Broil rig with a stack on the top on one end, an air control baffle on each end, and just a manual way to raise and lower the fire cradle inside. Its really a pretty nice sturdy built little rig and I'm sure works good as a charcoal grill, but has no external firebox and trying to control the heat was impossible as the fire had to be built in one corner and the meat put on the rack in the other corner or it would be just a glorified grill.

Steve

 

[crankybuzzard]

Well, how handy are you? Depending upon the freezer you have, you're possibly looking at removing the interior plastic and insulation, then reinsulating, and reskinning. Then comes the heat source. Propane requires some plumbing knowledge and a BIG safety plan. Electric may require wiring and then you'll need a way to control the heat.

The above is for starters, and it may or may not be as complicated as I seem to have made it sound.

The charbroil side fire box addition may be easier, but some mods will have to be made.

It all boils down to what you want to do.

 

[steve gilliland]

Cranky

I'm leaning toward rebuilding the Char Broil too, where can I find out about the "mods" needed. I've been reading a lot about reverse flow smokers, what's your opinion of them. I have a welder and was a welder and fabricator for 30 years so I can probably do most of what's needed. Any good books on smoker design and building you would recommend?

Steve

 

[crankybuzzard]

 
Cranky

I'm leaning toward rebuilding the Char Broil too, where can I find out about the "mods" needed. I've been reading a lot about reverse flow smokers, what's your opinion of them. I have a welder and was a welder and fabricator for 30 years so I can probably do most of what's needed. Any good books on smoker design and building you would recommend?

Steve

Since you're a fabricator from way back, I'd suggest that you do a search up to for "charbroil+mod"

That will get you a LOT of information and will also get your mind going.  That's what I did when my kiddo brought one home.  Not blowing you off, it's just that there's more info in the search than I could ever provide.

 

[usaftrevor87]

The site's search function is awesome!!! But for whatever reason I still prefer to use straight google.
I learned a trick if you type in what you are looking for on google so:   Charbroil Mods
And then at the end of it put : site:www.smokingmeatforums.com
It will search only this site and all the listings. I know our search engine for this site is powered by google, but sometimes I get better, my succinct information and answers by using google.com
Just incase I suck at explaining things just go to google.com and type in:    Charbroil Mods site:www.smokingmeatforums.com 

You can use that trick to search any website also. Good luck to ya