Heating Element/Temp Controller for DIY Smoke House

[sausagefest2015]

Got a smoke house question for yall. I have a 4’ x 4’ x7’ tall wood smokehouse that we’ve built and I’m looking for an electric heating element for precise temp control for slow cooking sausage 130-180F max . My goal is to have an element and a temp control so I can essentially “set and forget” and know that the smoke house won’t have crazy temp variations.

I only have 110 outlets near this thing. Does anyone have an idea of what I need?

 

[JckDanls 07]

Man... I just think 110V is gonna struggle to heat that... Is it insulated ?? I think the largest element you can get for 110v is an 1800W unit...

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[SmokinEdge]

Pretty sure you are going to need 220v and 2 elements to heat that size smokehouse with electric. Mine is 3x3x7’ and is why I chose propane.

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

snip...

I only have 110 outlets near this thing. Does anyone have an idea of what I need?

@sausagefest2015
Can you run (2) 110VAC lines to the smokehouse that are fed from 2 different circuit breakers?

If so, do that and use 2 heaters. Simple solution if you can do it.

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

I have been debating the same thing electric and size/watts vs propane. Mine isnt as big 30” sq inside dims x 5.5’ tall. I am leaning towards using a tejas low pressure burner with a thermocouple. Not sure how or if can use a pid with propane.

 

[Winterrider]

Yep 110 will never cut it. My 3x3x7 is a propane unit. Definitely not a set it and forget it tho, but only use when doing 50# or bigger batches of sausage.

 

[indaswamp]

I have been debating the same thing electric and size/watts vs propane. Mine isnt as big 30” sq inside dims x 5.5’ tall. I am leaning towards using a tejas low pressure burner with a thermocouple. Not sure how or if can use a pid with propane.

There is a guy on SMF that posted his PID mod for automatic control of a propane burner in a smokehouse. The only change I would make to it is a constant low flame to reduce the swing in temps. instead of on/off with the burner. This is accomplished via a by-pass of the controller with a manual valve. So, if you are smoking sausages, set the burner manually as low as it will go and stay lit. For me this is about 100*F with a large batch of sausage hanging. The let the controller do the rest. Instead of spiking the temps. up and down, it will be a spike up and a gentle slow down....more even heating....

 

[JckDanls 07]

I am leaning towards using a tejas low pressure burner with a thermocouple

Does the TC control the supply ?? Meaning if the flame goes out it turns the gas off ?? If not I STRONGLY suggest using a fail safe system like that...

There is a guy on SMF that posted his PID mod for automatic control of a propane burner in a smokehouse

I remember that thread as well... I've also heard of others using a PID for gas...

 

[ifitsdeadsmokeit]

Yes the TC would sense the flame and if it blows out would shut off the gas supply. I read that thread yesterday and should be a great help. Inda, I like that bypass idea. Should be able to add a needle valve to control the low flame on the loop around the valve controlled by the pid.

 

[hoity toit]

Got a smoke house question for yall. I have a 4’ x 4’ x7’ tall wood smokehouse that we’ve built and I’m looking for an electric heating element for precise temp control for slow cooking sausage 130-180F max . My goal is to have an element and a temp control so I can essentially “set and forget” and know that the smoke house won’t have crazy temp variations.

I only have 110 outlets near this thing. Does anyone have an idea of what I need?

get an 1800 watt 120volt element and the a PID controller with a 40amp relay from Inkbird,. one of our sponsors.

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

Deleted.

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

Yep 110 will never cut it. My 3x3x7 is a propane unit. Definitely not a set it and forget it tho, but only use when doing 50# or bigger batches of sausage.

Deleted.

Never again.

 

[JckDanls 07]

Using 2 separate 110 circuits

Only if they are on seperate legs in the breaker panel...

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

Deleted.

 

[JckDanls 07]

2 different circuit breakers?

You did... I was just clarifying... it can't be just any 2 breakers... The breakers have to be on different legs in the panel... If two single breakers are on the same leg (that's what I call them), I'm pretty sure your only gonna get 120v ...

 

[Up_In_Smoke]

Deleted.