Daves Smokehouse....Part 9 Test Runs
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Thanks Tim! I used Roxul stone wool insulation, it's fire rated at 2150*. Might be a little overkill but I didn't want to take any chances with the pink stuff. I got it at Lowes, they had to order it.
The vents were real easy to put in and I like having adjustability with them. I thought about doing a stack but couldn't find a rain cap I liked and the way it rains around here I wanted something that would keep the rain out. Gonna try and get it finished this weekend because I have to go to Utah next week for 2 weeks for work so when I get back I can do a test run with some snack sticks!
Can't wait to see yours come along!
The vents were real easy to put in and I like having adjustability with them. I thought about doing a stack but couldn't find a rain cap I liked and the way it rains around here I wanted something that would keep the rain out. Gonna try and get it finished this weekend because I have to go to Utah next week for 2 weeks for work so when I get back I can do a test run with some snack sticks!
Can't wait to see yours come along!
Alesia.....Meeee toooooo! Lynn (hubby) thinks I have lost my mind already with the Smoking stuff....and now I am begging for a Smokehouse! (With a Half Moon on the door)
Dave this smoke house is sweeeeet!
Kat
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A little more progress today. I don't know if I'm ever going to finish, this puzzle has way too many pieces!!
I finished the Durock on the door wall that I didn't get done yesterday, I overlapped the door about 1/4" to help seal.
I also got all the rod hangers made and the rods cut to size. I had to throw in my jerky racks just to see how it would look (the racks will be covered with Q-Matz!),
I got the control box about halfway built but I got tired of racking my brain trying to figure out how I want it so I quit for the day. Sorry no pics of the control box until it starts to look like something, maybe tomorrow!
I finished the Durock on the door wall that I didn't get done yesterday, I overlapped the door about 1/4" to help seal.
I also got all the rod hangers made and the rods cut to size. I had to throw in my jerky racks just to see how it would look (the racks will be covered with Q-Matz!),
I got the control box about halfway built but I got tired of racking my brain trying to figure out how I want it so I quit for the day. Sorry no pics of the control box until it starts to look like something, maybe tomorrow!
fwismoker
Master of the Pit
Dave, my smoke box is much small of course but i went to the wood stove dealer and got the rope gasket....It'll make all the difference in the world to keep a good seal on the door. Every once in a great while some of the rope might come loose but i'll use the black gasket glue with it and re-glue. Remember when you use that gasket glue it has set "hot"
Your roping would go on the inside of the door but it's the same concept...i went from lots of smoke escaping to very little. Keith
Your roping would go on the inside of the door but it's the same concept...i went from lots of smoke escaping to very little. Keith
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I was going to put some foam tape on the 1" overlap on the outside of the door but it fits so tight I really don't anticipate any heat loss.
fwismoker
Master of the Pit
If you're planning on hot smoking imo i'd do the rope on the inside lip....anyways hope it works for you.
Well it would have been done today but a thunderstorm rolled in and washed me out. I have to go TDY for work on Wednesday for 1 1/2 weeks so looks like it's gonna be awhile before it's done. I am so close it's killing me. I got the control box mounted and piped in, all I have left is to wire up the electronics and I really didn't want to do that in the rain and take a chance of the PID and SSR getting wet. I have too much to do tomorrow so it's just gonna have to wait until I get back. Sorry no pics today....rain....I'll try and take a minute tomorrow and get a shot of the control box so you know what I'm talking about.
fwismoker
Master of the Pit
smoke slinger
Smoking Fanatic
We will be here cheering you on when she is finished! View media item 225988
(sorry just had to add my little cheer leader friend)
Kat
(sorry just had to add my little cheer leader friend)
Kat
Part 7 PID Control Box and Heat
Yesterday afternoon I got the control box mounted but then the rain hit and I didn't get the top or door on it. Today I just wanted to get it sealed up so if it rains while I'm out of town it will stay dry inside.
I was in a hurry because I had other things to do so I'm not very happy with the door and I'm going to fix it when I get back. I made the top removable in case I ever need to get to any of the electronics I can. I sealed it with a 1/4" foam tape gasket and it came out real good. I'm going to find a better seal for the door because this 1/8" foam keeps sticking to the door but it's sealed up tight for right now. The door needs some adjusting and the whole thing needs some touch up paint. I still have to wire up all the electronics too.
Well it's not very pretty right now but I'll get it looking better when I get back:
I have an external mount heat sink for the SSR:
The power supply cord comes out of the junction box through an EMT rubber cord connector:
The heat element cord comes into the junction box through a steel pipe nipple. I have the element sitting on a couple of concrete pavers and I think I'm going to raise it one more. I also want to make a heat shield to go over the cord. The cord is rated at 194* and I don't plan on going over 170* but I think a heat shield will help with longevity:
Inside the box I will have the PID, a power switch, a fuse holder and a circuit breaker mounted on the black face plate on the bottom half. I have a shelf above it to set my Mav's on. There is another pipe nipple going through the wall to run my probes in (as you can see that gasket has got to go, I will find a better seal for the door later):
Here is the nipple inside to bring the probes in. I will plug the pipe with a cork to keep the smoke out of my control box. I am going to mount the thermocouple for the PID on a bracket in the center of the ceiling hanging down a few inches. I can hang my two Mav probes in various locations to see how temps are all over inside:
Well I'll see you in a couple of weeks and hopefully I can get it done!
Yesterday afternoon I got the control box mounted but then the rain hit and I didn't get the top or door on it. Today I just wanted to get it sealed up so if it rains while I'm out of town it will stay dry inside.
I was in a hurry because I had other things to do so I'm not very happy with the door and I'm going to fix it when I get back. I made the top removable in case I ever need to get to any of the electronics I can. I sealed it with a 1/4" foam tape gasket and it came out real good. I'm going to find a better seal for the door because this 1/8" foam keeps sticking to the door but it's sealed up tight for right now. The door needs some adjusting and the whole thing needs some touch up paint. I still have to wire up all the electronics too.
Well it's not very pretty right now but I'll get it looking better when I get back:
I have an external mount heat sink for the SSR:
The power supply cord comes out of the junction box through an EMT rubber cord connector:
The heat element cord comes into the junction box through a steel pipe nipple. I have the element sitting on a couple of concrete pavers and I think I'm going to raise it one more. I also want to make a heat shield to go over the cord. The cord is rated at 194* and I don't plan on going over 170* but I think a heat shield will help with longevity:
Inside the box I will have the PID, a power switch, a fuse holder and a circuit breaker mounted on the black face plate on the bottom half. I have a shelf above it to set my Mav's on. There is another pipe nipple going through the wall to run my probes in (as you can see that gasket has got to go, I will find a better seal for the door later):
Here is the nipple inside to bring the probes in. I will plug the pipe with a cork to keep the smoke out of my control box. I am going to mount the thermocouple for the PID on a bracket in the center of the ceiling hanging down a few inches. I can hang my two Mav probes in various locations to see how temps are all over inside:
Well I'll see you in a couple of weeks and hopefully I can get it done!
Dave,
When you coming down to Texas? ...got a little project for ya...
This has been a great thread to watch. Learned a lot. Awesome project. Outstanding craftsmanship. Cant wait to see it cook.
Brian
When you coming down to Texas? ...got a little project for ya...
This has been a great thread to watch. Learned a lot. Awesome project. Outstanding craftsmanship. Cant wait to see it cook.
Brian
Part 9 Initial Test
So I did the first test last night and I think it went pretty well. I set the PID to run 120* for the first 30 mins then ramp to 150* then up to 170*. I was happy it made it to 120* in less than an hour and 150* in less than 2 hours. I had 3 probes hanging in different locations inside and moved them around a couple of times just to see what variances in temp I might get. All 3 probes stayed within 3* of each other the whole time so I was very happy about that. I just have one small problem, it never went over 155* and stayed at 151* pretty much the whole time even though the PID was set at 170*. I have a few ideas that I'm going to try to get 20* more out of it. I also ran the AMNPS with one row and it was puffing beautiful TBS out both top vents and it didn't go out and didn't flame up, burned for about 3 hours, same burn time I get in my other smoker so I'm happy about that too.
The next few days are going to be spent doing more test runs and finding a way to get 20* more! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Here's what I was looking at the last 2 hours of the 3 hour test:
So I did the first test last night and I think it went pretty well. I set the PID to run 120* for the first 30 mins then ramp to 150* then up to 170*. I was happy it made it to 120* in less than an hour and 150* in less than 2 hours. I had 3 probes hanging in different locations inside and moved them around a couple of times just to see what variances in temp I might get. All 3 probes stayed within 3* of each other the whole time so I was very happy about that. I just have one small problem, it never went over 155* and stayed at 151* pretty much the whole time even though the PID was set at 170*. I have a few ideas that I'm going to try to get 20* more out of it. I also ran the AMNPS with one row and it was puffing beautiful TBS out both top vents and it didn't go out and didn't flame up, burned for about 3 hours, same burn time I get in my other smoker so I'm happy about that too.
The next few days are going to be spent doing more test runs and finding a way to get 20* more! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Here's what I was looking at the last 2 hours of the 3 hour test:
Cool.....I am still working on Lynn to let me have a smoke house too. Not happening yet. Guess I can just watch yall and be happy for now.
Your smoke house is so nice neat and tidy!
Kat
Your smoke house is so nice neat and tidy!
Kat
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