stainless steel pizza warmer heat source and other ?'s

[jbssmokedmeats]

ok i have inquired a pizza warmer threw my inlaws. it is stainless steel, unsure on the size as i havent seen it yet .my ? is since its a warmer, im guessing the heat element wont be warm enough to achive 250* or more. next my ? is  would it be better to use a electric heat source and run it on 120v. or run it on 240v. im a 3rd year apprentice electrician so electrical is no problem to me. im asking on the thought of food taste and presetation. the other heat source is propane on thermostat controlled like a furnace  with a thermocoupler and pilot light. which would be better? smoker will be used for alot of things sausage making and the occasional brisket butt and turkey. if i went electric i would use a amazn smoker but im considering gas with a big chip tray i can get wood shreaded in 10 lb bags and have had sticks this way on a similar smoker.

here is a few more thinkers for you. now that this is a food grade commercial warmer from a pizza joint the insulation from it should be good for 250* temps correct??? ive been following on here with fridge smokers and i also have a large chest freezer steal inside and out that im considering but the stainless steal warmer seams like it might be alot less work. i do have a few pics of chest feezer

 

[jbssmokedmeats]

my father-in-law is a licensed hvac and plumber so the furnace burners and the controls shouldnt be a issue

 

[jbssmokedmeats]

would use something similar to a gas oven controller

 

[jbssmokedmeats]

i know this thread is worthless without pics but can anybody shead some light on what to use which will give me better results

 

[jbssmokedmeats]

Pics will show up sat. Out of town working for the week

 

[unionguynw]

Not sure how big the warmer is but in my fridge build I went with a 1500 watt heat element from Grainger controlled by a dual probe pid from Auber Instruments and I have been very happy with the results! I use Todd's Amnps for smoke.

 

[roger shoaf]

The size if your heating element is directly related to the heat that is lost both up the flue and that seeps out through the cabinet.

Electric heating elements are 100% efficient meaning that all of the electricity you pay for turns into heat.

Before I went out and purchased a heating element, I would cruise around to appliance stores and see if they have any old stoves laying around  back,  If you ask nice they might let you snag an element or two before the scrap guy gets them. 

The stove burners will work also.

You will also want to have a reflector.  Any radiant heat that gets reflected away from the box is more likely to soaked into the meat.  It doesn't have to be fancy, just shiny.  Think tin snips and tin cans.

 

[goingcamping]

Jb,

Post what kind of pizza warmer...better yet look up on the mfg's website, you might be able to find all the relevant info: voltage/ampherage/phase/watts etc...

Most "warmers" are limited to 225*-250F, I got fortunate and found a 208v slow cooker than can cook between 150*-325*F (perfect temps) and it can hold from 100*-200*F indefinitely (as long as I pay my electrical bill?). I digress. I ordered the 18" tube smoker from AMAZEN Products (as recommended by Todd, Tjohnson on SMF). His recommendation is to drill a 2-3" hole for fresh air (at the bottom) and then 4" Chimney at the top. I plan on making an exhaust out of SS exhaust 90* ell (Mandrel Bent). My unit has a tuning plate that runs down the rear of the cooker, as my cooking elements are up top. I'll build custom brackets to hold the tube smoker in place and use a full sheet pan to cover it. It's been shipped, so my first trial smoke should be this weekend?

Here's a pic of mine

View media item 201452
Interior (w/ tuning plate)

Home 4.jpg

• goingcamping
• Feb 14, 2013

Brett

 

[brianillinois]

That was a hell of a score, Camper.

JB, I'm going with electric, just because I think it'll allow more precise temperature control, and I've already got a donor heating element. Plus I won't have to worry about it going "boom."