smoker building help !

[shortrib]

I am in the process of tearing apart an old commercial freezer to convert into a smoker. It is insulated with fiberglass, which I am assuming because of it's age probably contains formeldehyde, I want to replace this with something a little safer, and that can withstand smoker temps.
Any recommendations on what to use to insulate this old freezer?

Thanks in Advance

ShortRib

 

[bb53chevpro]

Sorry. I can't help you on this one. But I am sure that some here might be able to help you. You could try doing a google search.
Andy.

 

[richtee]

Are you SURE you want to insulate? Will it be outside? And will the outer shell be watertight? A second skin alone is good insulation against the wind and chill...

 

[geob]

Mine is insulated with the spray insulation, like Great Stuff. Makes a HUGE mess though. You can have the inside and outside completed and drill holes along the top and fill from holes in the bottom. Runs out the top your full. They make some of this stuff for windows which doesn't have as much expansion pressure as the other.

geob

 

[shortrib]

Yes it will be outside, and yes the shell is watertight. I find I can keep my smoker's internal temps steady with insulation, especially on colder days.

 

[richtee]

OK then..look into the "mineral wool" type insulation. It's commonly used for "Fire or Draft" stopping in home/commercial construction. You fill the holes you drill for wire, plumbing, whatever with it to prevent a fire in the wall from travelling up or down thru the aforementioned holes.

 

[bbq bubba]

Is it steel lined inside?
Don't worry about stripping it apart, it'll never get hot enough to do anything to the insulation, unless you WANT to tear the thing apart.

 

[richtee]

I'd worry about the type of insulation, Bubba. If it IS old stuff, it very well may contain the Formaldhyde mentioned. And since it was designed to be cold, not warm...I'd remove it. It's gonna see 250° instead of -15°, and was not designed for that. Lotta work..yeah. I pulled ALL the foam out of the Beast. PITA for sure...but no way was I gonna take a chance and be forced to pull it out after my first racks tasted like a cadaver.

 

[fireguy]

well, I have an old frezzer/smoker and I left the ins. in place. It is lined and air tight, so I have not worrired about it. Course, that is not to say it is not damaging my health. I wouldnt feel right giving advice when the health of others is at risk. When in doubt, play it safe. good luck

 

[shortrib]

No it is very, very thin aluminum, I am replacing that with a heavier material, either aluminum or stainless, not sure which at this time, and since I will have the whole thing taken apart, I am going to replace the insulation. Don't feel safe with the older formeldehyde filled fiberglass.

 

[mulepackin]

Why not just use currently manufactured fiberglass batting? You can probably get it in widths pretty close to what you will need and cut to length. I don't believe there would be any health issues with this, but it could be investigated.

 

[shortrib]

Here is the link to a picture I posted, of my project smoker, in another thread


http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...t=16618&page=2