Rebuilding 100yr old smoker

[Curtis__R]

Hello, new here. I recently bought a house that originally had a butcher shop attached. Outback was a brick structure that was originally used as a smokehouse. Two previous owners threw random things in it and let it fall into disrepair. The inside is 4ft x 4.5ft, and roughly 7ft tall. Needs a few bricks replaced I know, a roof of some sort, and a door. Plus racks. There a steel door on the right side of the structure to put smoke and heat into the structure. The inside has a false bottom?

I have no idea where to go from here. Or what I need to properly add heat and smoke to this. Or really to finish any of it.

 

[daveomak]

It appears to me..... Someone used it for a trash burner and overheated the bricks...
What is the main structure ?? any other pics...

 

[Curtis__R]

It has been used to burn trash at some point.

 

[red farr]

...you might start here http://www.meatsandsausages.com/smokehouse-plans
Red

 

[Curtis__R]

I did read that, but I need some more info. What products can be used to build a roof and doors, is there any consideration to brick type? Or making the amount of fire for something this size?

 

[bluewhisper]

If it has been used to burn trash, I would hesitate to use it for food because who knows what was burned in it, including plastic or any chemicals that used to be legal back in the days. I would at least give it a very thorough cleanout first, then evaluate what you have. Maybe you can install a fresh lining of firebrick, and still have room to work in. BTW that would let you build in some kind of supports for racks, or rods to hang things from.

One of our local park shelter houses with a fireplace has brick damage like that. Not sure but I'm guessing the damage comes when bricks are heated when they have moisture in them, and they steam-burst.

 

[chopsaw]

Curtis ,, that's pretty rough bud . Looks like the heat from burning trash cooked the brick and mortar , especially up high .
Ok so I just want to ask and I'm not being a wise guy . Sure it was a smoke house , and not maybe ,,, something else ?You did say it had a false bottom . :eek:
Keep in mind that the brick is the structure . Should be two walls parallel to each other . You can see a course of brick that looks like pieces . That should be the brick laid side ways tying the 2 walls together . You are looking at the small end of the brick . So any missing brick , mortar or brittle mortar / bricks has weaken the structure .You might be able to save it , but the walls look weak to me .