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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Boz19 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Building a plywood smoker - pics added
    Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 2:16pm
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Hi all, I'm looking to build a smoker and after some tips, searching the forum hasn't come up with much. Will be a for a range of smoking from coldish to hot.
I've purchased a Bradley smoke generator from Herby (thanks mate) so have the smoke part of the equation sorted. Heat requirements will be provided by a gas ring so I have no worries there either. What I don't have sorted though is the smoke house/box...
My initial thoughts were to build a wooden contraption using plywood walls, however after casting around on the net it seems that the glue and chemicals used in the ply dont react too well to the heat and can give off some nasty fumes, so I'm not keen on using ply.
There is the option of using an old fridge or something like that as the shell but I'm not sure how easily this can be sourced, especially as the new ones seem to be more plastic than metal. Also I don't have much in the way of skill when it comes to any metalworking which doesnt help.
Pretty keen on the idea of making a wooden smokehouse, what materials should I be using though to avoid any fumes etc? I'm guessing any form of untreated timber, but not sure what sort would best suit...
Plan on making it moveable so can store in the garage when not in use. Sizing wise I'm thinking of 4-5 foot high, probably 2-3 foot wide and 2-3 foot deep.
 
So to summarise above waffling - what's the best wood to construct a smoker with?
 
Any helpful suggestions will be much appreciated thanks.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Dohboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 2:58pm
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Just be careful withe gas as it puts alot of moisture into the air that can make the fish very moist.

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote JigNut Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 4:52pm
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I had no problems with mine except I could'nt regulate the temp well enuf.
 
Now I own a Bradley.
Smoke has a certain amount of moister in it so it pays to have a vent in
the box somewhere.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Raumatibeach Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 5:37pm
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I use an old drying cabinet, cost me a dozen beers.Pulled the motor out and put a gas ring in and burn pohutukawa logs in it.There's nothing inside of those to strip out apart froma little fan and motor , if you can find one of those you should be sweet.Reasonably light too.

if you really want a wooden one use cedar weatherboards to line it and untreated timber for the frames.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Unclejake Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 5:46pm
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What about building an oldschool smokehouse with a timber frame and corrugated iron walls? That should be pretty simple and reasonably cheap.
 
I would recommend that you source your shelving/racks first though (unless you plan on making them out of wire netting). Building the frame to fit the shelves is a heap easier than doing things the other way around.
 
I use two oven racks for each shelf. They are supported by some stainless steel tubes, but it would have been much simpler to build the frame to accept a single rack for each 'shelf'
 

 



 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote JigNut Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 7:14pm
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I think I got some S/S racks you can have... I look and let you know if you want?
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fissure Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 7:29pm
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that lemon tree over the fence was handy cuzLOL
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Boz19 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 7:48pm
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Some sweet suggestions and tips there thanks guys.
UJ turns out I posted my old smoker in that thread some time back, thought there was a good smoking thread somewhere on here but didnt come up in my search due to spelling of "smoka" Cool
That would be great thanks Torcea.
Quite like the look of the wooden smoker GAMFSH posted in this thread http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/topic39747.html - was along the lines of what I was thinking of. Need some way to add heat though, gas ring at the bottom be the go. Would want to keep it out of the box if poss, maybe tin floor with gas ring underneath that to allow heat thru but none of the gas fumes.
A lot of food for thought so far...
 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Unclejake Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 8:13pm
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^ the forum search tool didn't find that old thread for me either, and I knew it was 'smoka'.
 
I used Google :-)
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Quick silver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Sep 2011 at 10:09am
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When building a smoker using a gas element, do you need to keep the gas in a seperate compartment to the meat/woodchips or does it not matter?
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Double Shot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Sep 2011 at 11:35am
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Hey Boz,
Looking at selling mine when i get home at the end of the month, built this year but i'm just not getting the use out of it, all seasoned does a great job...PM me if your keen...
70ml of 90deg C water pressurised through 13g of roasted finely ground tamped coffee for 25sec's to make a distinguishing sensory hit called a Double Shot    
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Catchelot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 12:12pm
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Looks more like a crematorium than a smoke house, all its missing is a church spire on top Poochy
 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Boz19 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 4:13pm
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Thanks Predator but I'm still planning on building my own. Got the ply, got the smoker unit, got some oven racks lined up on trademe, it's coming together slowly...
 
Quick silver I take it you mean is it ok to have the gas ring/element burning inside the smoker? If so then from what I've read it should be ok as long as there's sufficient ventilation. Mine will probably have a gas ring inside.

 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Jet_ski_fisher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 5:29pm
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Stone the flaming crows! that's a mean as smoke house.. im glad im a dick head cause i would never build that master piece you have created...does the pope come with it? 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Double Shot Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 5:52pm
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Originally posted by Santa's_on_P Santa's_on_P wrote:

Stone the flaming crows! that's a mean as smoke house.. im glad im a dick head cause i would never build that master piece you have created...does the pope come with it? 
 
Nah, no pope but it is for sale, with the smoke generator...
70ml of 90deg C water pressurised through 13g of roasted finely ground tamped coffee for 25sec's to make a distinguishing sensory hit called a Double Shot    
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote bazza Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 8:52pm
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Originally posted by Predator07 Predator07 wrote:

Hey Boz,
Looking at selling mine when i get home at the end of the month, built this year but i'm just not getting the use out of it, all seasoned does a great job...PM me if your keen...
 
Geez Craig ... what happenned mate ... did those Asian tennants
move out?
 
Well  to be fair .... Alan did warn you that it was probably a bit on the
small side for a family of eight!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Accident Prone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 9:11pm
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Boz, have ya seen Bobs one bro? (Craysee) his is of coloursteel sheet construction and has castors on the botoon for moving around with ease. Smokes a whole marlin in it no probs.Mint smoker
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Quick silver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 9:13pm
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Originally posted by Boz19 Boz19 wrote:

Thanks Predator but I'm still planning on building my own. Got the ply, got the smoker unit, got some oven racks lined up on trademe, it's coming together slowly...
 
Quick silver I take it you mean is it ok to have the gas ring/element burning inside the smoker? If so then from what I've read it should be ok as long as there's sufficient ventilation. Mine will probably have a gas ring inside.

 
 


Cheers. Yep ended up building one this weekend with it inside and it works good. will definatly never need that litle stainless box from the warehouse again
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Boz19 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 10:08pm
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No Josh I haven't seen Bob's, sounds like a minter though. I have minimal to nil metalwork skills though so going to go down the plywood route as I have some (albeit still minimal!) nouse on working with timber.
 
Sounds good Quick silver, any pics mate?
 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote part-timer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 10:35pm
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there is a bit of style in the old fashion smoker...  like uncle jakes..   takes a bit of skill to keep the fire going just right..  Wink

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