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KevyDuty9

Newbie
Original poster
Jan 31, 2020
3
1
I’m converting an old refrigerator into a smoker. The fridge was stored outside and not taken care of too well. I’m not worried about the exterior but the interior has some rust and pealing paint, I’m curious what others have done to clean out and refinish the interior. I plan on doing things like jerky, pepperoni, summer sausage... just wondering if anyone had suggestions for the inside walls, ceiling and floor that is food safe for what I plan on using it for?
 
Here’s a few picture of what I’m dealing with, I’m just concerned about the paint and rust on the inside of the cooking chamber effecting what I cook. Wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to strip the inside and refinish it in a food safe way?
 

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If it’s me....if the interior is painted metal, I’d remove the paint to the bare metal, do a hot burn to get it started and then coat the entire inside with a coat of cooking oil. I use the pam spray but only on a cold surface (explosion hazard says Dr Oz).....then run it reapply oil before each smoke. Bare metal is fine.

The exterior- I’d leave the rust, just wipe it down good with a wet rag then let it dry. When it’s dry I’d apply 2 coats of “old 55” brand tractor primer. Just primer, you don’t have to even paint it but you can. That primer is what my neighbor has on his dock and I’ve got it on my smoker shack. Look up my fridge build to se pics of my smoker.
 
Thanks for the info, I was wondering about leaving the metal bare and seasoning it, I’ll have to look into it a bit more!
 
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