New guy, new build with lots of questions (now with pics)

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spdcrazy

Newbie
Original poster
Jul 5, 2017
14
10
Hey all, thanks for the add. I am fairly new to smoking and most of my experience has been using lil chief's in AK for salmon and and meat.

Now I'm learning about cold smoking, and desire to build one. I have multiple old fridges/freezers that I often refer to as my "family of classics"

The one I have in mind is from the 50-60's its a Gibson much like one that has been built on here actually.

A couple of questions for ya'll

I will verify but at that vintage, it should be fiberglass not foam, will this be ok for cold smoking?

is the plastic inside of the fridge ok for this?

I am still working out what I want to use as the smoke generator. might build a small aluminum box similarly to the mail box. but I want something a tad more subtle on the styling department.

thought about using a electric smoker like the lil chief and just plumbing it into the fridge, would they be the easiest way?

what kind of length of "hose" should I attempt to keep from the hot box to the cook box?

thanks in advance I'll be searching like a madman for the next few days.
 
Huh. Looks good. More money than I was hoping to spend tho. I'll have to check it out when I'm on a real computer. Cell phone during lunch at a racetrack doesn't make the best researching
 
Check out Amazn smokers.. they require no electricity..  actually pretty awesome units...  Check out the various woods Todd sells also...    I have several of Todds smokers and I really like them....  many folks on here use them....  Todd has sales every month or so... 

http://www.amazenproducts.com/
 
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i'm actually looking FOR electric. something I can set and forget,
 

Ok, here is my super professional drawings. building for cold smoking of fish mostly.  what do you think? any major issues with my design? still working on exact parts and pieces.

Thinking of a muffin fan from mcmastercar. lots of options but I think I'd go for this?

https://www.mcmaster.com/#1976k43/=18iwo1z

I'll have dampeners on both the exit of the smoker and the fridge. and I'll use an ink bird tempt controller and add the probably in mid way on the fridge, on the back for aesthetics.
 
and do you feel the mailbox is large enough for a full size fridge like mine? its easily 5ft tall interior.

i'm hoping no matter what I do I can fit it all ins the fridge for easy of transporting.

the "lil chief" is my box of choice at the moment.

(also, glad to hear about the 10 hrs on the amazen piece. )
 
 
do you use any fan to help control temp?
The MES has an electric element for heat and it is controlled...   There are temp controllers on the market that work great... 
 
and do you feel the mailbox is large enough for a full size fridge like mine? its easily 5ft tall interior.

i'm hoping no matter what I do I can fit it all ins the fridge for easy of transporting.

the "lil chief" is my box of choice at the moment.

(also, glad to hear about the 10 hrs on the amazen piece. )
Save the Lil Chief for jerky or fish....   I wouldn't cut it up....

Amazin products has 2 smoke generators...     The AMNPS and the tube AMNTS...  the tube puts out about 3 times the smoke as the maze does...   or the maze can be lit from 2 ends for more smoke...  Pretty handy units.... 

 

 
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OK that makes sense. I like the tubes but for cold smoking I would like it to burn for longer.

does my setup seem worthwhile? should I maybe run a mailbox mod like yours instead? anything I should look at differently?
 
The AMNPS, in the mailbox mod, raises my MES 30 temp. 4 deg. F from ambient... as near as I can tell...   64 ambient this AM and the MES was at 68...

Smoke in my MES 30 this morning while I was cold smoking bacon....  The flash makes it look pretty intense...  it's not really that intense...

 
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