new cooler smoker build suddenly turned into 2!

[madman mike]

Finally starting on my 1st smokehouse build. I came across a single glass door coke cooler that one of my customers wasn't using anymore. Going to finally bring it home tomorrow, weather permitting. Ill post pics when I get it home.

I did decide to start on the electronics for it a few weeks ago.

Decided to use the Auber's duel controller to run a 2500w convection oven element.

modified it a little though.

Pulled it from its case and mounted it in a cheap control box I found. Since I am using a recycled convection oven element I will use the convection fan.

So far I am going to control the convection fan with a toggle so it can be used during cold smoking and drying. Second toggle will control an inline duct fan to exhaust smoke. Tossing around the idea of using a speed control for the exhaust fan too. Thinking it would create better airflow when cold smoking.

smoker control 3.jpg

• madman mike
• Apr 22, 2014

more pics to come and updates as the work gets done.

Any input greatly appreciated.

 

[goliath]

i was wondering what the wattage rating was on your PID, i ran into trouble having  a higher wattage burner than the PID was rated for. had to install a 2nd burner and separate control. would like to have it all on the PID

thanks

 

[madman mike]

When using 120v the controller is only rated for an 1800w element, but at 240v it can control a 2400w element. Connecting it to 240v for the element. The fans and other accessories will run off 120v. Have a bank in the box to split the 240v to 120v for the fans and other 120v accessories. Luckily I have just enough room in my garage panel to put in a 240v line.

 

[goliath]

ok ... makes sense now. because i went cheap and bought the 1500 watt rated PID it was running full on for too long so i throttled it back. was a recommendation from Frank at Auberins, a techy guy.

 

[madman mike]

I also went cheap. I found a used Jenn Air true convection oven online for free. the board was shot but the fan and element worked. Used the $ i saved on the element and put it towards the dual control. 

After researching builds for months on this site i realized i didn't want to under power my smoker and have to install 2 elements when i had 240v available. Got very, very lucky with the element and fan I scored. 

Put the $ saved on the element/fan towards the control box.

 

[tbstbs]

 
When using 120v the controller is only rated for an 1800w element, but at 240v it can control a 2400w element. --------

I am not suure that's correct.

If the contacts zare rated for 1800W, itthey can't not go higher.

TBSTBS

 

[madman mike]

]I am not suure that's correct.

If the contacts zare rated for 1800W, itthey can't not go higher.

TBSTBS
[/quote]


From the dual 1800w plug and play controller manual
'For countries that use 220-240VAC power line, the maximum control power of this controller is 2800 Watts'
I also talked with the company and he confirmed this. Said if I'm using a 2500w element then use 240v. 120v will it be enough power.

 

[madman mike]

So, I got my cooler home the other day and started to rip some of the insulation out Wednesday night. Friday afternoon, 2 days later, I go to see a new customer that is opening a grocery store and needs a fresh meat and seafood supplier. That's me.

I knew the previous owner of this store had at least 1 smoker for his in house butcher shop. Turns out he had two. And the new owners have no desire to learn how to make sausage and ham for their new Asian grocery store.

I picked up a 100lb commercial smoke house for $200!!! Works great, needs to be cleaned.

post pics this week after I get it home.

 

[goliath]

nice score

 

[mneeley490]

Very nice! Looking forward to the pics of your new unit.

 

[madman mike]

ok. So I picked up the smaller commercial unit I got from a customer. Turns out it is in far worse shape than it looked like in the shop. Got it home and took some pics before I hit it with oven cleaner and a trip to the car wash. Fairly certain I can bring it up to a usable state. Found lots of rotten sheet metal. The company that built the unit used thin galvanized sheet metal.

20140429_184058[1].jpg

• madman mike
• Apr 30, 2014

Doesn't look like it has ever been cleaned. Inside or out. Looks like there had been a couple of decent sized fired in the past,. No deflector for the heat so all the drippings were hitting the element.

20140429_184323[1].jpg

• madman mike
• Apr 30, 2014

Has a hot water element in it. I assume for cooking with high humidity. Like bologna, keeps the casing from splitting.

20140429_184329[1].jpg

• madman mike
• Apr 30, 2014

20140429_184132[1].jpg

• madman mike
• Apr 30, 2014

This unit is a mess. Hope I can fix it up enough to get my the $200 I paid for it out of it.

Still going to continue with my other build. Make the cooler build a really good and controlled smokehouse.

All the insulation is now out. actually wasn't too bad. Some elbow grease and a dry wall utility knife/scraper sort of thing worked really good.

20140425_225405[1].jpg

• madman mike
• Apr 30, 2014