Coronado Refer

[woodsy97845]

Here is what I am planning.

I have recently obtained an old rounded Coronado refrigerator. I have gutted the compressor and condenser and am ready to begin my new smoker build. I am an ex appliance repairman and have a bit of knowledge on mechanical workings of appliances.

I am wondering if anyone has ever cannibalized an old oven thermostat, wiring and oven heating element to "run" their smoker. Being connected to "old appliance repairmen" I can get just about anything I would need to complete this build.

I am also thinking I would like to have a removable side burner for cold smoking fired from charcoal. I think this can be accomplished with a firebox and then a stove pipe slip joint going through the wall. I would put a damper in the pipe and let that be my air intake when not cold smoking. When I am cold smoking, I can attach the slip joint, open the damper and let the firebox do its thing.

I have not read every post in the forums and there may be something in here that explains this. I apologize if there is.

Being more mechanically inclined than computer inclined, I don't know how to make a "drawing" of what I am planning so if anyone has ANY questions, please ask and I will try to answer to the best of my ability. The only thing I will be able to do is take a picture and upload it After I have potentially goofed it all up. :-)

and I am running on here.

Cheers

Bryan

 

[iowa josh83]

I did exactly what you mentioned with cannibalizing an oven broiler element (main element was too large) but hooked it to the main side of the control board. Yes I used the same oven control board. Works awesome! Controlling the airflow is the key!

Here's my post: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/105764/heres-my-fridge-build-mid-build

 

[woodsy97845]

Ok, Here is the refrigerator gutted and ready. i have cannibalized a heat shield/diffuser from an old gas oven, thermostat and oven control from an electric oven. a myriad of oven racks and a broiler pan for a drip pan. I have a sheet of stainless steel (refrigerator door skin) and a mess of other parts/pieces.

I have obtained a steel drum (approx 25 gallon) which I will be converting into a cold smoker attachment. I initially got an old air compressor tank, but it had some serious rust issues.

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• woodsy97845
• Sep 15, 2012

and of course my oldest girl had to be in the picture...she is such a "ham"

 

[woodsy97845]

Disregard previous posting of a "gutted" refer. I now have it completely disassembled...inner box, all internal wiring and insulation. Bottom insulation was falling apart and soaked, the cabinet floor was covered in surface rust and there were multiple holes in all sections of the shell and inner liner. I have covered most holes with sheet metal, removed all rust, and repainted with rust inhibitor spray paint.

I have marked and drilled all shelf bracket holes from the outside of the inner liner; much easier than trying to drill through the porcelain. Once there is a pilot hole, the rest goes very smoothly.

i bought a bunch of SS 1 1/2" bolts, nuts and washers along with a bunch of 1" spacers. Unfortunately the hardware stores here only have about half of what I need, so I ordered the rest...should be here by next weekend. These are going to be pins to support the racks.

I will take and post pics later, maybe today...maybe this coming week.

Until then,

Cheers

Bryan

 

[mohlrich]

How is the build coming? I'm looking at doing the same thing but trying to get a game plan around before diving in. Post more pics if you can please

 

[oldschoolbbq]

Woodsey, welcome to the forum. Looks like you have a hand on the basics. Keep plugging away and if you can't do a computer drawing , do it on paper and take a pic of it and send the Q-view in so we can get an idea and the builders can comment.

Hope to see you here often , feel free to ask away , we like the challenges ; some of these guys can help you out of a problem , they are still young enough to get out and do building. I was too old when we moved and I had no welder(although I was one for a long time , but that was last century,yeah, I'm a Dinosaur.So here's what I spent all our savings on:

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• oldschoolbbq
• Oct 13, 2012

  Now I'm considering Smoking "Road Kill"

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Be sure to send Q-view;have fun and...