Started to build my first smoker!

[peabody]

Started building my first smoker today and i'm just tweaking things as I go since I had no real plans or anything, just ideas and photos that I seen on here from all of you guys.  I'm buildin the smoker in my basement and havin a good ol' time doin it, and then the wife asked the dreaded question. Is that thing gonna fit out of the door?

Looks like i'll be takin the doors off the house to get it out and then put the handles and extras on it! That was a close call, i'll be adding a few pics after the build.

 

[jarjarchef]

Ok Gibbs..........


Good luck on the build...... I am sure the experts will be along.....

 

[daveomak]

Peabody, morning .....   Congrats on building your new smoker.... That can be very rewarding...  Many folks here have built their smokers and they perform very well.... If you need any ideas on how to build a great smoker, folks here are very willing to help you build the best smoker in your neighborhood....   There are specific design characteristics and calculations available that make them perform well...   Dave

 

[hambone1950]

Thank god for the discerning eye of the bride , huh? Good luck with the build....lets see a picture or two!

 

[peabody]

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• peabody
• Dec 18, 2012

 

[peabody]

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• peabody
• Dec 18, 2012

 

[peabody]

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• peabody
• Dec 18, 2012

 

[peabody]

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• peabody
• Dec 18, 2012

 

[peabody]

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• peabody
• Dec 18, 2012

 

[peabody]

Ill put the roof and trim on tonight, then stain tomorrow. Still needs vents also.

 

[jarjarchef]

Looks great.

What are you sealing it with?

What are your plans for a heat source?

I see you are insulating it and the inside is lined with plywood. Any concerns with the glues releasing anything harmful?

Thank you for sharing,


Jeramy

 

[peabody]

Looks great.
What are you sealing it with?
What are your plans for a heat source?
I see you are insulating it and the inside is lined with plywood. Any concerns with the glues releasing anything harmful?
Thank you for sharing,
Jeramy

Sealing - I have tight seams so I am not to worried about any leaks, except for the doors which are also pretty snug fitting but should probably have something anyways, not sure what though.

Heat source - A forum member suggested a propane heat source from national tool. I have purchased it put it hasn't showed up yet.

As far as glues and chemicals releasing, I'm hoping that it won't ever get hot enough to worry about that happening. I have seen other people build them out of plywood so I figured I would be ok.

 

[peabody]

Peabody, morning .....   Congrats on building your new smoker.... That can be very rewarding...  Many folks here have built their smokers and they perform very well.... If you need any ideas on how to build a great smoker, folks here are very willing to help you build the best smoker in your neighborhood....   There are specific design characteristics and calculations available that make them perform well...   Dave

how do I calculate what size of vents should be installed?  inside dimensions are 25 1/4 by 20 1/4 by 4'. I bought some vents for an RV thinking that they should be close but i'm not sure.

 

[jarjarchef]

Very nice work........

I am not sure in Florida if I will need to insulate mine when I can make one, but thinking about it......

What burner did you order?

 

[daveomak]

Peabody, evening....   Folks with smokehouses, I recommend heat register type vents....  The ones that have built in dampers that open and close.... the type used in forced air heating....   I would put one in the bottom front in the door and one on each side about 6" from the ceiling or overhang...    they can be closed down to keep the wind and bugs out... etc....   for your smoker size, I would shoot for the small vents...    

Dave 

 

[peabody]

Very nice work........
I am not sure in Florida if I will need to insulate mine when I can make one, but thinking about it......
What burner did you order?

I doubt you would need insulation in Florida since it's so warm there, I lived there for a little over a year for aviation school and hated it so I got the heck out of there!

 

Up in MN where our temps range greatly in one day I can see how insulation is important, especially during our winters when trying to hot smoke it can save greatly on our fuels when trying to maintain a constant temp. Don't know crap about smokin yet but can relate because of our ice houses!

Peabody, evening....   Folks with smokehouses, I recommend heat register type vents....  The ones that have built in dampers that open and close.... the type used in forced air heating....   I would put one in the bottom front in the door and one on each side about 6" from the ceiling or overhang...    they can be closed down to keep the wind and bugs out... etc....   for your smoker size, I would shoot for the small vents...    

Dave 

thanks dave! I will plan on adding one more vent to the smoker. only had two originally planned.

 

[roller]

Thats a pretty cool little smoke house...

 

[peabody]

Thanks roller!

Thats a pretty cool little smoke house...

 

[peabody]

Would the amazin work in this smoker during hot smoking? If it would then I'm not going to attach my smoke generator to it.

 

[anylizer]

If you are going to use propane, the burner might need to be outside the box for the AMNPS to work. If the burner is inside, it might consume all the oxygen, not leaving enough for the AMNPS to burn. I would contact Todd and get his opinion though... after all he is " The Man"!