What are y’all using for heat source?

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Doct1218

Newbie
Original poster
Jan 23, 2020
6
0
I’m building a smoker, I’m just not sure what to use as the heat source and I’m open to all ideas. My smoker is roughly 2’ W x 2’ D x 4-4.5’ H. I’ll cold smoke when temp allows but would like to be able to get to 170-180 degrees. TIA
 
Is it insulated at all? Or will it be insulated? Mine is close to that size and I use a 1500w electric element in mine. I never use it for anything over 170°
 
I like charcoal for the flavor. My smoker is an insulated cabinet type and I added a small electric burner to keep it up to temp in the winter for cold smokes. I can run my smoker with charcoal from about 130 - 400 F degrees.
 
So you’re just putting charcoal in a pan on the electric burner?
 
I would use a pellet burner/smoker and use wood as the cabinet uninsulated.
I have smoke tubes so I’m not as concerned about smoke but I need heat but if I can have one thing to do both (heat and smoke) that be preferable. I’ve seen heating elements and small burners. Does there seem to be a preference?
 
This is what I have in mine. Then I just use a controller to set the temp I want
Screenshot_20200123-115445.png
 
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I have smoke tubes so I’m not as concerned about smoke but I need heat but if I can have one thing to do both (heat and smoke) that be preferable. I’ve seen heating elements and small burners. Does there seem to be a preference?
This is what I'm talking about, temp. setting goes from smoke to 450*

 
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