Wooden smoker

[elkaholic85]

Just finished this smoker today, any thoughts on what type of heat source I should use, my intitial thought was a camp chef propane burner,

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• elkaholic85
• Nov 1, 2015

 

[x0xsaywhutx0x]

Wow that looks great! Good job!

 

[elkaholic85]

Thank you

 

[4pogo7]

That looks really nice! You did some fine work on it!

Can you give us some specifics on the smoke house? (dimensions, materials used, more pics) That way we can make better suggestions based on what you have and the space available and the volume being heated.

That looks really nice!!

 

[elkaholic85]

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• elkaholic85
• Nov 2, 2015

 

[elkaholic85]

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• elkaholic85
• Nov 2, 2015

 

[elkaholic85]

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• elkaholic85
• Nov 2, 2015

 

[elkaholic85]

The walls are 1/2" blue pine (also known as bug wood) and the floor roof and trim is cedar. The floor and 12" up the walls will be lined with aluminum sheet metal. The dimensions for the box are, 42" tall, 26" wide, and 20" deep.

 

[riich]

Use a modified turkey fryer burner, I have had great success using them.

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• riich
• Nov 2, 2015

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• riich
• Nov 2, 2015

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• riich
• Nov 2, 2015

 

[4pogo7]

That is a very nice looking smoker!

I don't have any experience with propane smokers go, but yours is roughly the same size as the MES 40 which runs on a 1200 watt electric element. I'm not sure what insulating properties the MES has compared to yours but there are lots of options for electric elements, hot plates, oven burners and such that people on this site use.

Otherwise I would say you could make a firebox/chamber/pit and duct the heat/smoke into your nice smokehouse.

Most of my experience comes from electric smokers so most of my research and knowledge is with those also. Electric is cheap and clean but some don't like the lack of skill and flavor associated with electric. I think is wonderful for my busy life and I still get great tasting Q.

But I am fairly new to this so I am sure someone smarter will be along shortly to help out!

Good luck and post more pics as you finish the build and make good Q!

 

 

[elkaholic85]

I'm not opposed to trying electric, being that this will be sitting on my deck, electric may be a safer bet. Out of a 1200 watt element, how high of temperatures are you able to reach? Thank you for your response.

 

[4pogo7]

I'm not opposed to trying electric, being that this will be sitting on my deck, electric may be a safer bet. Out of a 1200 watt element, how high of temperatures are you able to reach? Thank you for your response.

Their website says 100°-275°F with their element and controls, but I would have to check to see what I could actual get it to. (It's my dad's smoker but I use it from time to time.)

I have an E-ECB that has a 1500 watt element. Unfortunately, it doesn't have any control so I will be getting a PID controller somewhat soon so that I can control the temperature in it. The manufacturer claims it heats to 250°F but I have haven't checked it out yet. 

The temperature range will depend on how well insulated your smoker is, the outside temps, how windy it is, things like that. 

I will check on my Brinkmann when I get home and I will give my dad a call to see about the MES. Hopefully someone comes along that has better information on the temps of electric elements.

 

[GaryHibbert]

Hey Elk.  Good looking smoker you built.  

I have a MES 30--smaller element than the MES 40.  I can easily reach 275* with it.

Gary

 

[elkaholic85]

Hey Elk.  Good looking smoker you built.  

I have a MES 30--smaller element than the MES 40.  I can easily reach 275* with it.

Gary

Awesome, thanks for your input, looks like I'll be buying a MES 49 element.

 

[elkaholic85]

Awesome, thanks for your input, looks like I'll be buying a MES 49 element.

40 not "49" damn fat fingers.

 

[bbqbrett]

Dang, that is really cool! Thumbs Up

 

[elkaholic85]

Dang, that is really cool! Thumbs Up

Thank you.

 

[4pogo7]

Awesome, thanks for your input, looks like I'll be buying a MES 40 element.

Have you looked into these as far as where you can find them? I was just wondering what your setup will look like for controlling the temp on the MES 40 element. I haven't looked into parts for the MES 40 but I know the element is controlled by the integrated control panel on the top of the unit. I just don't want you to order something before making sure it will work the way you want it to. 

Hoping someone else has some insight for this!

 

[elkaholic85]

Have you looked into these as far as where you can find them? I was just wondering what your setup will look like for controlling the temp on the MES 40 element. I haven't looked into parts for the MES 40 but I know the element is controlled by the integrated control panel on the top of the unit. I just don't want you to order something before making sure it will work the way you want it to. 

Hoping someone else has some insight for this!

It looks as though I can add a universal heat element control circuit to the MES 40 element, that I could mount to the outside wall. Hopefully someone who has done this before will chime in and let me know if I'm wrong.

 

[4pogo7]

Okay good, sounds like you have a plan. I have never messed with stuff like that. I was mainly pointing out that a 1200 watt element should work for the size of smoker. Keep us posted on how it goes!

Anyone have advice for this?