Smokehouse Construction

[babysmokologist]

I really like some of the plywood smokehouse designs I've seen. What if a guy lined his smokehouse with Hardy Board (cement board) to allow for simultaneous cooking/hot-smoking? Is this material sufficiently inert to cook next to? I realize it will be heavy but I plan to install lifting eyes on it for my tractor bucket. I'd welcome your input.

 

[alblancher]

Maybe a good idea,  I have hardiboard panels on the floor of my smokehouse to catch any sparks.  I use mine for cold smoke only so I can't offer an opinion based on experience

Good Luck and keep us posted on the build!   Welcome to the forum!

 

[clyde79]

what about tin, car hoods from the junkyard are a good supply of cheap tin esp lincolns and 80s trucks

 

[babysmokologist]

That's a good thought Clyde!

 

[alelover]

Don't know either. I used the hardibacker board in my kitchen for my brickwork. Put a hunk in a fire and see what it does.

 

[daveomak]

I don't particularly care for cement products to line a smoker... 2 reasons.... Thermal mass, takes too long for temps to rise... Also cement holds moisture... Cement on the floor and as a break for the heat source is fine....

You can line a smoker with sheet steel (hot or cold rolled sheet steel)... provides fire resistance and low thermal mass if you use 28 gauge or so... It can be "cured" with a good coating of cooking oil just as you would do to a cast iron pan.... lighter in weight.... and you can install angle for shelf suppports pretty easy....

Just my thoughts after building a few smokers and learning the pitfalls of different materials...  

Take plenty of pics during your build.... We love pics and others can learn from your project...

Dave 

 

[shoneyboy]

I don't particularly care for cement products to line a smoker... 2 reasons.... Thermal mass, takes too long for temps to rise... Also cement holds moisture... Cement on the floor and as a break for the heat source is fine....

You can line a smoker with sheet metal (hot or cold rolled steel)... provides fire resistance and low thermal mass if you use 28 gauge or so... It can be "cured" with a good coating of cooking oil just as you would do to a cast iron pan.... lighter in weight.... and you can install angle for shelf suppports pretty easy....

Just my thoughts after building a few smokers and learning the pitfalls of different materials...  

Take plenty of pics during your build.... We love pics and others can learn from your project...

Dave 

 I not trying to offend anyone, but, when you are recommending using 28 gage, you are referring to using aluminum, steel or stainless correct ? and not Galvanized or painted materials ????  When hot smoking with galvanized materials  it will produce off gassing which is a bad mix when cooking….. I can’t speak for everyone, but with over  20 years of Sheet Metal experience I don’t want anything galvanized near the food I’m cooking !!!!!

 

[babysmokologist]

Thanks Dave! My smokehouse is still on the drawing board. I wanted to line it w/ something for higher temps and am open to suggestions.

 

[shoneyboy]

Thanks Dave! My smokehouse is still on the drawing board. I wanted to line it w/ something for higher temps and am open to suggestions.

Home Depot sells aluminum flashing on a roll, it’s easy to form.