Westinghouse Fridge build

[t erwin]

Here is my first attempt at a Fridge build.

Allways wanted to make a fridge smoker and a few weeks ago this fell in my hands, right about the same time I stumbled on this site. So with alot of reading on here and some know how I started this a couple of weeks ago.I am open to all suggestions !!

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• t erwin
• Aug 25, 2012

 

[t erwin]

Another pic, new skin on door

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• t erwin
• Aug 25, 2012

 

[t erwin]

Sorry, I don't know how to add all pic in same thread, I will figure it out later. Here is one more pis of the bottom of fridge. Going to drop a afterburner unit in so I don't have to keep opening the door. Should be here by next week. I hope to have shelving done by next week too.

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• t erwin
• Aug 25, 2012

 

[daveomak]

T, morning....  What are your plans for the smoker ??  Heat source ??   AMNPS for smoke ??  Dave

 

[daveomak]

T, morning....   Does the door still fit right after the skin was put on...   Dave

 

[t erwin]

Hi Dave.

 Heat source is a propane afterburner. It drops in to the cutout on the panel on the lower end. It should be here next week.

 

[t erwin]

I did order a amnps yesterday, it should be here next week too.

I am making a heat defuser and still need shelving. Once it works the way I want then I am going to paint it and maybe give it some flames.

I have a smokey mountain smoker that I have been using for about 5 years.
 

 

[t erwin]

Actually Dave I had not put the door on the fridge since I put the skin on. When I saw your post ,you got me thinking and went and put the door on and you are right the door does'nt lay flat anymore, but it is not real bad .

I will have to work on that.

 Thanks
 

 

[daveomak]

T, morning.....  I built the same type smoker for a friend...   The way to solve the problem is lay the door flat on the outer skin...  support the four corners and using wedges (cedar shims) adjust the door to be in a plane....  measuring this is easy using 2 strings...  attach the strings diagonally from corner to corner very tight... where they cross in the middle, adjust the wedges until the strings just touch.... re install the inside door skin.....   I learned this trick from a carpenter installing steel double doors on a commercial building...  Dave

 

[t erwin]

Thanks Dave.Makes sense to me, the only problem I see is the doors outside edges are really round.

I' figure out a way to pull the strings.

 I'll work on that in a couple of weeks. This weekend I am going to try to get the shefe brackets in and hopefully find some shelving .

If not I will have to make some from expanded metal.
 

 

[daveomak]

Drill a hole and put a small sheet metal screw in the door to hold the string... then install the panel on top of the string... Put the screw on the outer edge if you wish and trim the panel to miss the screw when it is installed....  Dave

 

[t erwin]

Thanks Dave .

 I,ll try that. Just got home from work and my AMNPS ans afterburner were waiting for me.

 Very exited to try both out.
 

 

[bigbell7922]

I just acquired the same fridge and going to do a similar build.  What kind of insulation did you use?  Why did you cose to replace the door skin?  Any tips or problems that you came across that you would care to pass on?

 

[t erwin]

Hey Big Bell,

 I replaced the door skin because it wasn't porcelain, , it was some kind of molded hardboard with a glossy finish on it ,and I wasn't sure if it could take the heat.

 Yesterday I took the skin of and used Dave's trick with the strings and it worked great. (Thanks Dave).

 Today I got everything hooked up and was able to fire it up.

 I was a little surprised on how well it actually worked. I got good smoke and was able to get to a temp of 225 and maintain it for a couple of hours.

I will post a couple of pics I took. I still have to get a hasp for the bottom door. and build a stand with some wheels and paint it.

So far I am happy with the results.

Oh I kept the same insulation that was in there, I took a piece out and tried to light it on fire and it didn't burn so I assume it is ok.

 Good luck.

 If I can help in any way, I'll try.

 The guys in this forum were a great help
 

 

[t erwin]

Here are a couple more pis of the old Westinghouse fridge.

I fired it up today and it works really well

Got temp up to 225 in no time and held it for a couple of hours with just a little playing with damper and propane valve

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• t erwin
• Sep 9, 2012

 

[t erwin]

Here is a pic with door open and grates and heat defuser in.

Next weekend I'll work on a platform with some wheel so it can go mobile.

Then sand it down prime it and paint it.

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• t erwin
• Sep 9, 2012

 

[bigbell7922]

Thanks for the info and the pictures, makes me excited to get my build going!  When I got the fridge I was wondering about the door, it just did not feel the same as the rest of the fridge.  I was planning on stripping the inside to re insulate anyways, so was sure I would figure out what it was at that point.  I am want to go ahead and make it a charcoal/wood smoker, but am still considering electric/gas.  What made you decide on the gas?

 

[t erwin]

Hey Big Bell,

 Went with gas because I have been smoking with gas for about 5 years now.

I guess I am just comfortable with it . It hasn't let me down yet.

When I saw the afterburner C-type drop in I thought that would work for this .

Doesn't take up much room and had no problem heating the smoker .

That's just my opinion though, I'm sure everybody has their preference.

Question, Why are you replacing the insulation?
 

 

[bigbell7922]

I think I am going to replace it for a couple reasons.  1. replacing it with roxul ensures that it will not ever catch fire.  2.  the roxul will definitely be an upgrade efficiency wise than 50+ year old fiberglass insulation.  It will  cost $50 or so, but I think it will pay off in the end.

 

[t erwin]

I did replace the insulation underneath the box .

 When I got tearing things apart the bottom panel was rotten, so I replaced that panel and put new insulation in there and that is where all my heat hits.

I took a peace of the original insulation and tried to light it with a torch but couldn't get it to burn. So I am pretty confident it won't catch on fire.

Plus some of the bolts were pretty rusted up and didn't want to get into tackling them if I didn't have to.

If your going to do it ,try to take your time and do it right the first time.

It's no fun having to go back and fix silly mistakes.

I'll post some more pic next weekend.