Want to Build My First House

[krisco26]

I'm tired of using commercial bought smokers that are expensive and a way to small. I need something that is big enough to easily handle 25-50lb batches of sticks and brats and summer sausage. Just need some tips. Looking to build something that is about the size of a fridge, ideally a little wider.

What's the best way to generate smoke?

Is a propane cooker the best way to generate heat? I have a bradley smoker and I can never get the heat high enough it seems so I want to make sure that I get enough heat! 

Thanks!

 

[daveomak]

Krisco, morning and welcome to the forum......Please take a moment and stop into " /Roll Call/   " and introduce yourself and get a proper welcome from our members.... Also, if you would note your location in your profile, it will help in the future when answering questions about smokin'...   elevation, humidity etc....  

There are many builds in the smoker build forum.... http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/200/smoke-houses ..  There are ideas in there.... select the one you think you might want to build and we will answer specific question to help you out...  Fuel is a matter of personal preference ....  

We're glad you stopped in and joined our group...    Enjoy the long smokey ride....     Dave

 

[jarjarchef]

Welcome to SMF....

Here is a link to a build I did with my daughter.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/136196/not-so-mini-smokehouse-build-w-pics/20#post_951580

We have not cooked in it yet, but so far the temp results were very surprising. I was able to get it up to 300+ in no time. Then turned off 2 of the 3 zones on the burner and maintaned 275 with no issues. I am going to use an AMNPS to generate the smoke. As everyone who has ever built anything from scratch there are a few little things I would do diffrent, but most are cosmetic......

A few tips:

Plan on it taking more time then expected. You will find little things along the way that you will want to change.

Look at the end game of what you want to do with it and build it about 25% larger capacity wise if you can.

Design around the pans and or the racks you will be using. Mine I set it up to be used as a hot box down the road if needed. I can set 2 full sized hotel pans on each shelf. I also set it up so I can use 4" pans without any issue. For the racks I am still looking for something more perminante, but I can fit 3ea of the cake cooling racks from walmart on each shelf. So it works for now.

Look at the ease of access to get to what you will be working with. Meaning shelf hights, hanging rod and even acess to the burner. I am 6'2" and having things low really suck. So I designed it for my use.

I had a lot of fun doing this with my daughter and am looking to having even more fun cooking in it. I made a promiss that I would not cook in it till she came over next. I am going to go nuts next weekend with everything I want to do.......

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Jeramy

 

[wazoo]

Welcome to SMF.  It is a great source.

I finished my build about a month ago and I am really happy with the results.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/newestpost/137407

I have been able to cold smoke with an AMTS for bacon or use the Northern propane burner to run up around the 325 mark.  My smoke chamber is 22" x 24" x 48".  I am not sure if I can do 50# of sausage at one time but 25# won't be a problem at all.  Jeramy hit the tips right on.

It will take longer than you think, but on the other hand the build can turn into a very fun project on its own.  I sized my house based on what I could get for racks.  I found that large new racks were pretty expensive even at the big box stores.  I found the stainless oven racks at a recycler for $2.  Another thing to take into consideration is the weight of the final product.  Be sure that you have a plan to move if if you are not building it close to where you want it.  I got that suggestion from another member on the site and I was glad that he told me to think about it.

Good luck with the build.  Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

Wazoo