Walk-in Smokehouse in Progress

[Hill Country]

I posted some of this in Roll Call and received feedback to continue in this section. I’m at the beginning stages of building a combination smokehouse/walk-in cooler. It is going to be 8’x8’ with 8’ ceilings. I’m using 2x6’s for the studs and trusses so that I can insulate the walls and ceiling to just over R30. I’m going to repurpose an old steel homemade wood heater that was given to me as the firebox. Using a 18K BTU AC unit with a Coolbot controller for chilling purposes. There will be a 6’ covered section on two sides- one for a skinning station and one with a stainless steel table and sink for processing. I think I have everything figured out except for the interior wall material. I want to use 3/4” boards of some type. Here locally about the only wood we have access to that is reasonable is pines. Poplar, oak, and fir are expensive but may not be necessary. I’m considering Ponderosa Pine and from the research this may be acceptable after “seasoning” the house. I’m looking forward to interacting and learning from the members here. Tommy

 

[old sarge]

I like where this is going:)

 

[GaryHibbert]

It sounds like a great project.
Gary

 

[Braz]

Very cool project. I'll be watching.

 

[indaswamp]

Have you looked into hardi board (concrete board) for the interior walls?

 

[ab canuck]

Looks good..... I am also in the process of building when, I am thinking cement board after the insulation is in. I have it framed and shell on, But now am waiting for nicer weather to finish up.

 

[SmokinAl]

Man that's going to be a fantastic smokehouse!
I will be following this!
Al

 

[daveomak]

VERY nice build... So, why are the studs trimmed on the bottom ??? What is it I don't know ???

 

[Hill Country]

Thanks for all the replies! Much appreciated. Hardie sounds like a viable option. I’d like to find out if anyone has used it and their perspective. Since it’s going to be a cooler also there will be considerable air flow at times and I’m wondering about “dust.”

daveomak...... I notched the studs at the bottom to run my electrical wire at the bottom plate. I’ll then run it up the side of a stud wherever I’ll have a box. Not wire between any studs. Since I’m using 5 layers of foam insulation I didn’t want to have to fight the Romex going through each stud higher up to insert the foam.

Had another productive day today. I’ll post pics in a little while.

Thanks again for the input! Looking forward to more.

Tommy

 

[Hill Country]

 

[indaswamp]

Thanks for all the replies! Much appreciated. Hardie sounds like a viable option. I’d like to find out if anyone has used it and their perspective. Since it’s going to be a cooler also there will be considerable air flow at times and I’m wondering about “dust.”

daveomak...... I notched the studs at the bottom to run my electrical wire at the bottom plate. I’ll then run it up the side of a stud wherever I’ll have a box. Not wire between any studs. Since I’m using 5 layers of foam insulation I didn’t want to have to fight the Romex going through each stud higher up to insert the foam.

Had another productive day today. I’ll post pics in a little while.

Thanks again for the input! Looking forward to more.

Tommy

Not a lot of dust with hardi board once it is installed. Of course if you cut it, you will produce dust. I installed it in my smokehouse but covered it with aluminum flashing. Mine is much smaller than yours, 2.5' X 2.5' X 6' tall.

Great idea with the wire run at the bottom....

 

[indaswamp]

Looking good!

 

[indaswamp]

My perspective on hardi board-
It has a heat index much like steel...once it heats up, very even temps from top to bottom on my vertical smokehouse. I went with 1/4" just because my smokehouse is on metal caster wheels and weight was an issue, but you could go 1/2" for durability. Once you go through the heat cycle and the concrete board "cures"/ dries out you should have no problems with it.

 

[daveomak]

"Premium Quality" construction techniques... Awesome.....

 

[HalfSmoked]

Looking great. looking forward to see the finish and the smoke flowing.

Warren

 

[Hill Country]

Thanks again for the input and compliments! I’m going to check on Hardie and see what my options are. Because of the dimensions, 8x8 exterior, I could use 2 sheets of 4x8 Hardie on each of the interior walls. Ripping one sheet to width of course. I like the idea of fewer seams and quicker construction. haha

indaswamp..... Just got on the HD website and the only options I see here are either 5/16” 4x8 sheets or 3/4” 5 1/2” wide trims boards. Which product were you referring to that is 1/2”


Posting a few pics from the backside. The slab down below the smokehouse is for the firebox and the platform you see is temporary so that we don’t fall and break our necks. lol

Tommy

 

[indaswamp]

My mistake, I thought the company made hardi board in 1/2" thickness.

After a quick search, I was thinking of Durock, they make a 1/2" thick sheet, but in my research building my smokehouse durock is flimsy and not rigid like hardi board. It also has cell foam beads to make it lighter and when heated can give off fumes so I went with the hardi board which will cure and seal once the initial heat cycle is performed....

 

[indaswamp]

Here is a thread on SMF of someone else using hardiboard to line a smokehouse....
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t...-from-mostly-free-stuff-maiden-voyage.236723/
Stuff is pretty tough and rigid, but will crack if hit hard enough. For durability with a walk in, might consider putting the hardi board over plywood or OSB....

 

[Hill Country]

indaswamp..... No worries I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing out on something. Thanks for the info and link. I also like the idea of backing the Hardie with something. We use Hardie in all the Habitat builds here so I’m familiar with how fragile it can be. And a pain to work with. Haha

 

[chopsaw]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/James-H...-x-1-2-in-Cement-Backerboard-220021/100206691

Don't know if they stock it your area or not , but they do make it .