New member, new build

[CubsBlue]

Hello everyone. First post. Been a long time pellet grill and chest smoker. We do a lot of deer hunting and like to make a lot of summer sausage and snack sticks. Our little smoker is proving to be too small for the volume we are wanting to do. I'm hoping I can lean on on some of the expert members here for advice. I've begun looking into building a Smokehouse. A lot of you guys have absolutely beautiful smokehouses. The information that you share on here is outstanding as well! I've decided to go entry level and do a pretty basic build to start. Something affordable and simple.

This is the plan I'm thinking of doing n't. I'm guessing a lot of you've seen these plans on the internet. Has anybody done a build similar to this? Couple of questions. This plan does not incorporate any type of insulation into its design. I'm planning to run a propane burner within it. Will not insulating cause major issues for me? Another question I have is this design does not incorporate any type of flame protection. Should I incorporate aluminum flashing the first few feet of the house?

livingthecountrylife.com/country-life/food/build-smokehouse-11-easy-steps/


Like I mentioned, I'm planning to use a propane burner as my heat source. I've seen a few controller builds that allows for temperature control down to the degree. In my previous Homebrewing days, I also saw several Raspberry Pi controller builds that allowed for control of a burner over a wireless network. If any of you have had success in builds like these please chime in and in and share. I'd love to hear your experience.

Foundation wise I'm just planning on placing this house on top of cinder blocks. Nothing too fancy.

Like I said we're trying to do something basic and simple and we're going to try to get it up pretty quick. Please try men with any advice you have. Thanks in advance

 

[daveomak]

Install a flame out device...

Man killed when meat smoker explodes
Colleen Kottke, The (Fond du Lac, Wis.) Reporter 4:49 p.m. EST December 15, 2014

(Photo: The (Fond du Lac, Wis.) Reporter)
TOWN of LAMARTINE, Wis. — A Wisconsin man using a homemade meat smoker to cook turkeys and chickens died when the smoker exploded, police said.
Richard L. Zabel, 55, was found dead Saturday afternoon inside a machine shed.
"The North Fond du Lac Ambulance and Lamartine first responders were called to the scene for the initial report that someone had fallen," said Lt. Cameron McGee of the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office. "When investigators arrived on scene, they discovered that a 55-year-old man was dead inside the building."
Zabel, a town of Lamartine man, did not live at the building's location, but lived nearby.
"Evidence indicates that the flame on the LP burner went out and as a result the gas continued to accumulate inside the smoker," McGee said. "And when (Zabel) went to relight the burner, the spark from the lighter caused the gas to explode."
McGee said the force of the explosion caused the heavy duty door of the smoker to blow open, striking Zabel in the head, killing him instantly.
"When something explodes, it's going to blow open at the weakest point which was the door, which was triple-latched," McGee said.
McGee said the smoker was larger and better constructed than most store-bought models.
"It was about 4-feet tall and about 3-feet wide and built really solid, including the door. Someone really put a lot of thought into building this thing," McGee said. "We were told that they had been using it for the past three years without any problems."
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Hi Cubs and welcome to the forum. If you search smokehouse builds by pops6927 he gave a very good step by step of his build. Sounds similar to what you're wanting to build. I would post the link for you if I knew how. I'm a newbie here, just joined but been reading the forum for a long time.
My daughter is home so I'll give it a try. If not I'm sure someone here will be able to do it for you.

 

[daveomak]

I think Rick started with the design you chose...

My Smokehouse

Here is my smokehouse. I did extensive research before choosing the wood used. I never go above 180* and can hang 200 lbs of sausage in here. It was propane but now pellet fired. You can see the pellet hopper to the left covered.

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Smoke house Idea Questions

I am looking at many smoke house plans, trying to decide what exactly to build. I am not sure how big it needs to be, what material to use, or what the heat source should be. I am taking down an old shed in my yard that has plane 3/4" plywood on the roof that is in good shape.( other than a...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[kruizer]

Welcome to SMF from Minnesota.

 

[CubsBlue]

Ok here's our cheap redneck build. There's nothing square, plumb or flush about it but she's going to be ready to smoke soon.

Quick question. I purchased 2 10x6 floor vents to install. I figured I'd install one low on one of the sides then one high on the door. Are these OK locations? Should I have any issues with air and smoke drafting appropriately?