making a smoker

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    Posted: 30 Nov 2004 at 11:10am
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Hi ,

I managed to score a large steel cabinet that I was going to convert into a decent size smoker . The cabinet 6 foot high and is painted ( not sure what type of paint ) possible something from the 50's

A bit concerned about the paint on the cabinet , so I was going to line the inside with timber   etc...

What timber should use ?

any other helpful tips ?

 

 

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Tomsta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2004 at 12:03pm
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Hi Akingi, I have been thinking the same thing myself. I have a large grey transmitter cabinet which I've been contemplating turning into a smoker. But like you say being prepainted may cause an undesirable effect.... who knows? My thought on this is not to line it with timber but to create a large bonfire in it which would burn all the old rubbish off it including paint, grime..etc... I have no idea wether this would help but being a pyromanaic could be worth a shot. Once you have the basic shell it's easy enuff to knock up a smoker.

What have others found, has anyone made a smoker out of corrogated iron or would iron not last very long??????????.........?

Don't Moan about it, Just Do it!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Damo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2004 at 12:23pm
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Tends to rust T. Esp after a paint burn off. Have you thought about an old oven.

The element is in place already, lay an oven tray over that, add sawdust, puit on low heat for a slow smoke or crank the thing up for a hot smoke. The racks are for your fish. Plug and play. You can even watch the fish being smoked throo the glass door! Have used 1 a few times at a mates and found it to work well.

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Jo. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2004 at 12:48pm
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ah the plan I have tucked away which I like the look of makes its way out

http://www.kountrylife.com/articles/smkhse.htm

I am thinking of building a "southern bbq" and using an old kent fire as the firebox, as far as I know that would not only be safe and keep a controlled heat but would circumvent fire restrictions, we could be really smart and put the actual firebox in the pool shed and run a wetback through it to the pool.

http://www.thesmokering.com/pits/metalpit/bigbaby/default.jsp this bbq gives me ideas

the pump shed is to the left and down a level as you can see in the pic (has a plant pot on the roof), food for thought huh.

Capitalisation is the difference between "I had to help my uncle Jack off a horse.." and "I had to help my uncle jack off a horse.."People First New Zealand
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Akinghi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Nov 2004 at 6:00pm
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<SCRIPT language=javascript>postamble(); I'm still thinking line the inside with timber .

I think if we do a good job lining it ( maybe use tinfoil between the timber and paint as a gasket  )

the effect of the paint will be nothing to worry about . ( we use to smoke fish in an old clothes dryer for years )

probably use a gas burner in the bottom with a plate ( maybe copper plate ) stainless steel tray for the sawdust . Cabinet's already got vent hole cut in it ( grill plated ) may just add a flue system and chimney to that .

 

 

 

 

  

 

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Bull Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 10:56am
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I think all fisho's consider themselves a bit of a cook and I have not met a fello fisho/spearo who didn't want a smoker. Check out on the web a site for NZ made stainless steel jobbies that I think both hot and cold smoke purpose built. It is www.smoker.co.nz takes you through to vulcana smokehouse. In no way am I affilated with the above... they just look pretty good to me and in comparison to some other models are relatively affordable at around 600 bucks. Being stainless steel they would last forever as well.

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Bender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 11:01am
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Smokers where the fish sit on racks are nowhere near as good as those where the fish hang.

With hanging fish the fat can drip off (which it does even on a cold smoke) but with racked fish there is more likelyhood of getting mushy flesh because the fat tends to sit on the fish.

 

Nobody has ever come up with a great idea after a second bottle of water.


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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Tomsta Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 11:43am
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Bender, What about when you have done the ole Brown Sugar, Rock Salt and Lemon trick... wouldn't the ingredients just run off when using the hanging method. Do you prepare the fish in anyway when hanging them or simply slice and hang them???
Don't Moan about it, Just Do it!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Bushpig Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 11:50am
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Anyone wanting one of the old dryer units let me know and I will get the boys to put them aside when they come into the Transfer Station
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Bender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 11:51am
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I coat them in whatever preparation I've made up and leave it overnight, then clean it off before putting them in the smoker. Always have.

 

Nobody has ever come up with a great idea after a second bottle of water.


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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Jo. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 12:34pm
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I do a wet smoke for dinner parties on the bbq while its heating up. Basically I pack it in salt and brown sugar the night before while partially frozen, haul it out dripping wet with sugar and plonk in the smoker, its succulent, moist and it caramelises and for some reason people get a kick out of fresh smoked fish straight out of the smoker onto the plate. Fresh homemade bread, butter and home hot smoke salmon what more could you ask for.
Capitalisation is the difference between "I had to help my uncle Jack off a horse.." and "I had to help my uncle jack off a horse.."People First New Zealand
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Bender Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 12:35pm
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Sex
Nobody has ever come up with a great idea after a second bottle of water.


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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote bubbles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 7:03pm
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s**t. Almost fell off me chair laughing with that last comment. Certainly helps me get through the night shift back here in the uk. Keep up the banter lads.

Cheers    

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Jo. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 7:20pm
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what banter? bender only ever thinks of sex and tinnies preferably with.
Capitalisation is the difference between "I had to help my uncle Jack off a horse.." and "I had to help my uncle jack off a horse.."People First New Zealand
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote bubbles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 7:39pm
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Cant wait to get over there and have a few days out with you lot. sounds like a real laugh ! 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Jo. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Dec 2004 at 7:50pm
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lol if we werent taking the pyss out of each other I think some people would take it way too seriously.
Capitalisation is the difference between "I had to help my uncle Jack off a horse.." and "I had to help my uncle jack off a horse.."People First New Zealand
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote TheSnapperWhisperer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2004 at 12:25pm
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Cool, after reading this thread I am now in a bidding war on Trade me for a stove!  Will install it in my man cave...
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Jo. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2004 at 12:34pm
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looking at ours now ...our double wall oven will make an ideal smoker when we replace it which will be soon. The main upper oven is buggered and would be ideal for hanging. So old they cant source a replacement thermostat and fan bearings for it.  Pity, its a true semi professional oven with all the extras.
Capitalisation is the difference between "I had to help my uncle Jack off a horse.." and "I had to help my uncle jack off a horse.."People First New Zealand
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote TheSnapperWhisperer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2004 at 5:09pm
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Oh well, I was outbid.  Will have to try again.

Hey, i was thinking about it, though. 

Won't it be too hot for a cool smoke in an oven?  My main aim is to be able to do a nice long slow smoke, and if it'd all sealed nicely and even on low it'lll get like 100 degrees at least in there and it will be too hot, am I right?

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Akinghi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Dec 2004 at 5:21pm
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your probably right .

 I had a friend who made his own smoker (large cold smoker ) he reckons he spent more time smoking himself than the fish . He would hang the fish ( most of them would fall off the hanging hooks ) . He's converted his smoker to have the sawdust tray within the smoker and now takes about two hours to smoke fish . He also uses trays now instead of hanging hooks . 

still haven't heard from anyone regarding what timber I should use to line the inside of my smoker ?

anyone ?

 

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