Hardware for smoker

[backyard bbq]

I'm curious to what material hardware to use to fasten my smoker frame and pine t&g siding to the outside. Is galvinized no good? what do you guys recommend? Thanks!

 

[damon555]

Just to play it safe I used stainless steel fasteners for everything.

 

[smoke happens]

Galvanized is toxic, don't use anything galvanized

 

[thsmormonsmokes]

I've read conflicting opinions over whether nickel plated is toxic as well.  Whether it is or whether it isn't, you can avoid the issue and, as Smoke Happens just said, just use stainless.

 

[backyard bbq]

I agree. Thanks for your input!

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Another alternative to stainless that you could use (here comes the boat builder in me) silicon bronze nails and screws or copper nails... If you use stainless screws, use ones with the Torx head, less likely to strip, and pre-drill everything. If hand nailing your siding with any of the above, pre drill first. I wouldn't screw siding on I'd use ring shank nails.

I have to wonder though how much toxins would leach out from the fastener and then through the wood over the years.

 

[smoke happens]

Another alternative to stainless that you could use (here comes the boat builder in me) silicon bronze nails and screws or copper nails... If you use stainless screws, use ones with the Torx head, less likely to strip, and pre-drill everything. If hand nailing your siding with any of the above, pre drill first. I wouldn't screw siding on I'd use ring shank nails.

I have to wonder though how much toxins would leach out from the fastener and then through the wood over the years.

Any, is too much IMHO

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Any, is too much IMHO

Mine too, that's why I've voiced my opinion on the use of plywood in smoker construction in other threads. There's also the resins from wood, to some extent most metals, and various finishes could have toxins. Working in the construction industry, for most my adult life and currently with a company that try's to sway towards the green end of it, it's hard to have no VOC!

With that said, this being a cold smoker, if assembled with galvanized, or other coated fasteners that are sunk in the wood framing or are used to install the siding and aren't in the actual smoke chamber, one would be okay. I would still opt for one of the other options myself.

 

[linguica]

If I remember correctly, Martin (DigginDog) commented that plywood is OK in a smoker if the smoker if the temps stay below 150-160 deg.
 

 

[dirtsailor2003]

If I remember correctly, Martin (DigginDog) commented that plywood is OK in a smoker if the smoker if the temps stay below 150-160 deg.
 

That depends on the type of plywood...

Backyards original question here was about fasteners and I only mentioned the other items as an example of how far do you go to insure the least toxic environment.

Sorry for the thread drift...

 

[linguica]

If I remember correctly, Martin (DigginDog) commented that plywood is OK in a smoker if the smoker if the temps stay below 150-160 deg.
 

That depends on the type of plywood...

Backyards original question here was about fasteners and I only mentioned the other items as an example of how far do you go to insure the least toxic environment.

Sorry for the thread drift...

On the same drift, I thought he said galvanized is also OK at lower temps.

 

[smoke happens]

backyard bbq - can you get away with galvanized and most likely be ok, probably. Can you get away with plywood at reasonable temps and most likely be ok, probably. What I think most of us here are trying to say, in different ways,is yes you can but why would you take the risk when there is an alternative that will not have any associated risks for reasonably the same amount of money (fasteners anyway)? After all this is food for you and your family / friends, and when it comes to food for my family at least I just don't bother taking the chance.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

If I remember correctly, Martin (DigginDog) commented that plywood is OK in a smoker if the smoker if the temps stay below 150-160 deg.

 

It wasn't me, I always recommend the real deal, clean pine, hemlock, etc. boards for a smokehouse.
I wouldn't use anything that might off-gas, flake, etc.


~Martin

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Galvanizing doesn't produce noxious zinc oxide at low temperatures, but that doesn't mean it won't flake off into your food or whatever.
It's best to use what we know is safe, 100% natural wood.




~Martin

 

[backyard bbq]

Thanks guys for all the input. I think, just because lowes has this, I am going with "white wood" t&g. They did not have pine t&g but they are saying that "white wood" is a kind if pine. It is 1x8 t&g boards. Im pretty sure they are very low grade but i dont care. i can stain the outside right? As far as the fasteners I will use stainless. Thanks!!!

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Thanks guys for all the input. I think, just because lowes has this, I am going with "white wood" t&g. They did not have pine t&g but they are saying that "white wood" is a kind if pine. It is 1x8 t&g boards. Im pretty sure they are very low grade but i dont care. i can stain the outside right? As far as the fasteners I will use stainless. Thanks!!!

White wood is a generic term for a variety of woods. Could be spruce, pine, fir, hemlock. All depends on where you are in the country. It will be fine for your smoker. You will want to protect the exterior with stain, paint or something.

 

[backyard bbq]

Thanks now I just need time to get er' started!

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Thanks now I just need time to get er' started!

That's right we're waiting for the pictures!!!

 

[backyard bbq]

This is how far I got.  I modeled this up in solidworks(no doors shown)! lol So as you can see I got nowhere yet!

IMG_2184.jpg

• backyard bbq
• Jan 14, 2013

 

[smoke happens]

Tease.....