playdirty fridge build

[playdirty]

Hello everyone, this is my first jump into building a smoker and had some questions about the game plan. I have an old Hotpoint fridge that has the metal and enamel insert. Dimensions are 18x18x36 which i think comes out to be 6.75cf (I think). I have the box, insulation and door pretty much ready to go but have to buy all the important stuff yet. My plan is to go 125 volt route since I already have a 125v 30A plug installed outside my house from the previous owner plugging in his camper. Auber PID controller SYL-2352 and a 110v oven element at the bottom. Amnps mailbox mod. Wondered if this element would be a good choice RPC13-093? originally I was going to go with a finned strip heater but going to use the mailbox mod for my air intake and didnt think i should mount that under the finned heater (with the smoke and all). Also with this PID unit dont have a way of limiting the power to a strip heater. Any help getting this plan all sorted out before i start drilling holes would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[motocrash]

I am of no help with your questions but this is gonna be a sweeet build !

 

[gmc2003]

I'll be watching this build. You just gotta change your choice of beer. Bush light?

Chris

 

[playdirty]

Haha. Yeah, growing up Busch Light was cheap and readily available. Old habits die hard I guess.

 

[playdirty]

Here's that heating element. I'm not sure really what will work or what won't. It looks good at almost 2000 watt and if I'm running on a 30A breaker don't see why it wouldn't work. Any thoughts? Is 2000 watt way overkill for 6.75 cf? Guess id rather have to much than not enough.

 

[playdirty]

Dimensions are 5x11x13 so itd fit at the bottom whereas a fin strip at the same wattage wont.

 

[playdirty]

so while I was taking my time to buy all the electrical parts for my 120v setup (so the wife dont get too pissed), I wanted to smoke really bad. Made shelves, installed 4" ss exhaust, and added a fire box from an offset grill. Hope she works good!

I haven't given up on the pid controlled element but this way maybe I can use it till I have scrounged up all the parts needed and will b

e more versatile.

 

[playdirty]

 

[playdirty]

well this was my first smoke ever. Baby back ribs. 321 method, should have done a 311 method but turned out very good. I had left the smoker outside over nigh t but even at 18° it came up to 225 in a little over an hour. Very easy to maintain temp.

 

[motocrash]

Good lookin' ribs.Sounds like the rig is working nicely.How much and what fuel (lump or briquettes) did you use?

 

[playdirty]

I brought it up to temp with a chimney of briquettes. Main source of heat and smoke after that were splits of hickory 6-8" long. Probably went through 3pieces of hickory rounds that were 8-10" diameter. After I wrapped I used a piece or two of lump at a time to keep temp up. Probably a chimney total.

 

[motocrash]

Pretty good fuel mileage:)

 

[ab canuck]

Like the smoker build, good job. Ribs look great as well. Way to go. Like....

 

[playdirty]

Thanks for the kind words. I thought they turned out very nice for my very first smoke. I would cook them a little less next time though. I think 3 hours on smoke 1 hour wrapped and 1 hour back on would have put them right on target!

 

[playdirty]

the latest creation, beef short ribs. Just salt, pepper and garlic. Smoked a little over 6 hours with home grown hickory. I spritzed with a mix of apple juice and Captin Morgan the last two hours. Final internal temp was right at 200. They were perfect! I need to remember to take more pictures during the entire process instead of just final product.

 

[vgene]

Looks great PlayDirty!! And love the fab on the fridge/smoker!! Nice work!!!

 

[playdirty]

Thanks! I love this fridge smoker so much I just got two more to build. Going to give one to my dad and who dosnt need a second!

 

[PrairieGeek]

This looks great. I have a nearly identical fridge that I am building as well. I have been toying with the same sidebox but was banging my head about connecting. I hadn't thought of bolting it directly on till I saw your pics. Any idea what internal temp would get to with just the smokebox going? I hoping to do cold smoke with it as well.

Also curious, what gauge stainless did you use on the door?