Just got a late 40s GE Fridge, have smoke stack questions.

[2008RN]

I have been reading the treads here for a couple of months. I have been smoking for about 15 years with a $200 propane Smoke Vault. I have made a few minor mods to help it smoke better. I have always wanted to get a better smoker, but I could not find a good smoker in my price range.

I want to build a Fridge smoker that I can do both hot and cold smoking. Here is some of what I was thinking of.

- Electric burner with wood chip tray for Hot smoking.
- PID controlled
- Smoke Daddy Magnum P.I.G. cold smoke Generator. (Cold Smoking).
- Food Temp probe with Wireless monitoring

The Fridge I picked up this weekend is a late 40s GE.
Inside Box size 17.5" x 18" x 37" or 6.75 Cu ft.

I have seen several differing Smoke stacks on the forums from a single 2" Dia. up to multiple 3" stacks at differing heights in the box with dampers. That is a difference of 450% in the area for exhaust flow. I am assuming the the stacks should be closer to the top and mounted on the side or back. From there I am lost.

What do I really need for proper air flow? How High do I need to go to get the best draft? Still trying to figure out best mounting techniques.

Here is my new baby. Someday she will be painted with Oregon University Ducks colors.

 

[Geebs]

Cool looking unit, cant wait to see your final product. Good luck on the build!

 

[SonnyE]

I had an old Porcelain interior refrigerator in Northern California when I lived up there (early 1980's). Loved it for a smoker.
I did mine real simple. Put a small single electric hot plate in the bottom, a #10 can for my chips, and a butterfly vent top right side. (It faced the kitchen window.)
But I did crude, low temp/cold smoking. None of this later scientific stuff, and none of this outdoor smoker/oven stuff.
But really loved having a smoker box that latched and sealed so well.
I don't understand folks tearing these apart, then trying to put them together again.
If I had another, I'd probably put an AMNPS in it, as many racks slides as I wanted, and stainless steel cooling racks for trays. Bam! Done!
But I would likely do an outside mod for cold smoking similar to what I have with a long aluminium 3" dryer hose.
Yep, Fridge boxes make great smokers!

 

[buzzy]

Wow! That looks alot like my working Hotpoint that I put my curing meat in. Thats plan B when (if) it dies