Stand-alone smoke generator

[NewBuilder]

I started a smoke generator using pcs from a previous project I never finished. The wood or sawdust will be heated and maintained in a container at 700 deg using a PID. Thanks to glenwillits for the pid control details idea.

glenwillits​

​

 

[DRKsmoking]

interesting, 700 Deg. now that is hot enough to burn most woods.

David

 

[NewBuilder]

interesting, 700 Deg. now that is hot enough to burn most woods.

David

Correct, but I'm not adding oxygen for combustion, keeping it in a pan with holes in the top to allow smoke to escape. I want to have the smoke temperature around 700, which is supposed to be ideal - from what I have read. I will experiment with different temperatures to find the best flavour my family likes.

I'm having fun.

 

[DRKsmoking]

I will experiment with different temperatures to find the best flavour my family likes.

That's the main thing for sure, and having some fun also

David

 

[NewBuilder]

I tried it out yesterday and had the thermal couple wired backwards so it didn't work. I took a guestimate on the temperature and used two small chunks of hickory. Lots of white smoke that eventually turned blue. My wife liked the ribs, kids loved the smoke flavour but I couldn't eat them.

 

[NewBuilder]

It got up to 375c, 700f quickly. The cheap roasting pan warped out of shape, I'm going to need a cast iron pot. I will need to relocate the solenoid because it gets very hot under the bottom.

I basically tacked everything together with small screws. I will use larger screws once everything is finalized.

 

[OldSmoke]

Nice work! I’ve done a similar build that has worked fantastic. It is reliable, repeatable and holds temps within a couple of degrees. The external smoke generator is great for low temp smokes like salmon and cheese. I added a convection fan out of an old oven that is a game changer. No hot/cold spots in the cabinet and the smoke is distributed evenly throughout the cabinet.

 

[NewBuilder]

Nice work! I’ve done a similar build that has worked fantastic. It is reliable, repeatable and holds temps within a couple of degrees. The external smoke generator is great for low temp smokes like salmon and cheese. I added a convection fan out of an old oven that is a game changer. No hot/cold spots in the cabinet and the smoke is distributed evenly throughout the cabinet.

View attachment 667773

View attachment 667775

I love how everything is tightly packaged. I spent hours working out how I would package everything - it made sense at the planning stage but it could be a lot better.