First build

[John Hallengren]

Hey everyone, new member here just starting my first build out of an old GE fridge I got out of my uncles shed. It worked when I got it but ive removed the compressor and all the refrigerant lines. Im working on finding some metal for the inside of the door right now. Im planning on going with a 220v element im thinking 1900-2000 watt should be good. Im also planning on using the AMPS mailbox mod for a smoke generator which brings me to my first question.

Is there a preffered place to put the smoke inlet? Im considering either in the floor plan off to the side of the heating element or through the side just above the deflector. Also I would like to come out of the top of the mailbox with a pipe or two instead of dryer vent just for aesthetics. Do you guys think 2 1" or 1 1/4" pipes would be sufficent? I could get those free from work

Thanks in advanxe

 

[John Hallengren]

Forgot the pics

 

[steiny1]

This is my fridge build. I have one 1500 watt element on my pid controller and if I need more heat, I have the other 1500 watt element on a temp dial. I attached a ammo box under the smoker behind the bottom drawer. I used 3/4 inch black pipe and ran that to the smoker. I do not have any vents on the smoker so it pulls the air through the ammo box. Works great. I still need to add a door for the ammo box with holes on the bottom of the door. For now the smoker is done until next year. Still need to paint it and add the pid controller to the side of the fridge.

 

[John Hallengren]

Looks good Steiny thanks for the response.
Do you get good smoke flowing through the pipes like that and does it disperse fairly evenly through the 2 pipes?

 

[steiny1]

The one side might have a little more smoke than the other but not by much. I thought about connecting the two pipes together after the ammo box but before the pipes go into the smoker . I still want to add a sheet of metal over the elements to keep them clean and it would also help to disperse the smoke. Put a slight angle to it and use threaded rod for the legs. I seen someone I believe on here do that. Wish I still had the picture. It was a great idea.

 

[steiny1]

Flow of smoke is great.

 

[ab canuck]

Good looking build steiny1 , lots of good things going on. Another thing to do is search the forums and get ideas of what others have built. What do you want to heat it with and control temps? There are some great ideas out there.

 

[John Hallengren]

I am at the point now where I am trying to decide on a PID controller. I have a 2000w 220v heating element. I was looking at some of the Auberins controllers but can't seem to figure out which would be best for my application. also I didn't see any that they offer any units with wifi which I was kinda looking for. Any advice?

 

[DIYerDave]

I used the Auber SMD 200A for my build. You can search "home-built electric smoker" on here. My build might help answer some of your questions.

 

[John Hallengren]

Thanks DIYerDave I looked through your build post. Looks great! I contacted Aubers about a PID and the 2 they recommended were both for 1800watt max Ill have to take a look at the one you used. I'm also a true DIY'er I built my own house from the ground up

 

[DIYerDave]

The one I used will easily handle 2000 watts and more. Go to their website and check it out. Also read their online instructions on how to hook it up. Very helpful. Auber has everything you need.

 

[Mark Krenn]

I installed a PID in my Masterbuilt. There are tons out there. You can get cheap ones that you wire up yourself for less than $40. All they are is a controller, themal sensor and a relay. Most will do 240v. I have a an old refrigerator smoker too that has an 1800 watt/240v element. Years ago I installed a controller from Sausage Maker. They work good too and they are around $110. Good luck!

 

[John Hallengren]

Thanks everyone. I ordered the Aubern 200A it will be here tomorrow. Still getting some of the other stuff figured out but making good progress. Got my smoke generator half way mounted today and finished up my element and heat shield

 

[Mark Krenn]

Looks good so far!