Building a plywood smoker - pics added
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Forum Name: The Kitchen - Seafood Recipes
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URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=64800
Printed Date: 01 Jun 2026 at 12:04pm
Topic: Building a plywood smoker - pics added
Posted By: Boz19
Subject: Building a plywood smoker - pics added
Date 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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Replies:
Posted By: Dohboy
Date 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. ------------- www.acewash.co.nz |
Posted By: JigNut
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 4:52pm
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. ------------- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-Of-Synit-Rods/137662896327800 |
Posted By: Raumatibeach
Date 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. ------------- Get off my lawn.... |
Posted By: Unclejake
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 5:46pm
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There are some photos in this thread: http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/show-us-yer-smoka_topic47173_page1.html - http://www.fishing.net.nz/asp_forums/show-us-yer-smoka_topic47173_page1.html
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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Posted By: JigNut
Date 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? ------------- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-Of-Synit-Rods/137662896327800 |
Posted By: Fissure
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 7:29pm
that lemon tree over the fence was handy cuz
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Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2011 at 7:48pm
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" 
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 - 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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Posted By: Unclejake
Date 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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Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2011 at 10:09am
| 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? |
Posted By: Double Shot
Date 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 |
Posted By: Catchelot
Date 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
Bring out ya dead ...bring out ya dead (monty python)  ------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Posted By: Boz19
Date 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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Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date 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? ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: Double Shot
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 5:52pm
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 |
Santa's_on_P wrote:Posted By: bazza
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 8:52pm
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! ------------- When you cry, feel pain or sadness, no one notices your sorrow .... BUT fart just ONE time !!!!!!!!!!! |
Posted By: Accident Prone
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 9:11pm
| 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 |
Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 9:13pm
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 |
Posted By: Boz19
Date 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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Posted By: part-timer
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2011 at 10:35pm
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Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2011 at 4:57pm
Yeap i have one of when it was almost done. Just getting dark so really its a terrible photo but if it stops raining i might go out and get a better one. Made of macracapa and stainless steel. |
Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2011 at 4:58pm
| Oh and heres a tip. If you cant find and oven racks talk to an electrician. I talked to two about it and they had heaps lying around. |
Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2011 at 5:03pm
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This smoker drying rack is one of the best i have found. lpg cooker at the bottom and the wood inside an alloy tin to burn or add a smoke gen to it. best of all it has racks already there and i use to butterfly the fish like kippers to hang em or just put up a stove rack if it fits. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=407176441 - http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=407176441 ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 19 Sep 2011 at 8:20pm
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Pretty good looking unit there QS. I'm going for a pretty similar design except using some untreated ply I managed to score from a mate.
On a side note - has anyone got an old oven lying around they dont want? I'm looking for the tempered glass from an oven door to use in my smoker door so I can see whats going on in there.
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Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2011 at 4:50pm
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Thats a good idea. Maybe ill put a window in too. Not sure if it matters but with untreated ply the glue which holds the sheets together must be pretty poisonous? |
Posted By: Catchelot
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2011 at 5:14pm
That is a very good point with ply and the glues there QS.
Also wondering if a glass door is a waste of time cos it will be dark and smokey in there so doubtless you will see much in reality... ------------- "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." - Jacques Cousteau |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2011 at 5:15pm
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That's what I thought as well but seems there is a bunch of people using ply without any issues. I think as long as the temperatures don't get ridiculously high it would be ok.
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Posted By: lingee
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2011 at 5:26pm
| mate a filing cabinet cut bottom draw out and drill the other draws easy |
Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2011 at 5:32pm
thats a pretty cool unit alright, hey boz I have a plan of one somewhere as I was going to make one as well, will see if I can find it. ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2011 at 9:40pm
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Posted By: fish i
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2011 at 3:09pm
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Don't know if tanilised timber would be my cup of tea. I used to work in a plywood factory and one of the additives for the glue mix is phemaldehyde, not good. I simply use and old steel container I scored from the dump, burn it out. I build a good soild fire out of manuka or old fruit tree wood - plum etc. The manuka burns way hotter. When it has embered down to a white coal, I load my fish in then I smother the coals in manuka sawdust. Takes about 5hrs to smoke decent size chopped up kingy fillets. But, it's still hot and smoldering away when I pull it out. Took a few goes to get it just right but now is primo every time - beautiful carmelization. ------------- 6th place in the inaugural Te Kauwhata Regionals paddle crab division |
Posted By: lingee
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2011 at 5:37pm
| filing cabinets are cheap work well, single or doubles |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 9:45am
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Thats a nice setup there mowerman.
Reason I steered clear of using filing cabinet or similar is that I have neither the skills or tools required to work with metal, eg cutting a hole for my smoker unit, mounting racks, I just wouldn't know where to start.
fish i, that doesnt sound good man, I'm really starting to question using ply now. On the prior page of this thread there are posts from guys who have used ply to make their smokers and said it's been fine, hence why I went down that route. It's untreated ply but I get that the chemicals will be in theglue between the layers. Temp's are likely to get up to about 80 degrees C I would think, will the glue start leaching chemicals at that temp?
Could I possibly line the inside of the smoker with something to prevent the glue gasses coming in?
Some sort of fire-proof lining? Thoughts on that option...
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Posted By: Seth
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 12:24pm
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My thoughts boz are to use the ply for something else and make one out of concrete blocks. Will go round to my mates one that I use and will be copying to make my own one and take some pictures of it to post up. |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 1:09pm
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Not really an option where I am Seth, bloody suburbia. Also have the ply all cut to size now. I'm thinking lining the inside is going to be the way to go...
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Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 1:50pm
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Further to those thoughts, lining the inside with light sheet metal (not galvanised) is where I'm thinking I need to go. A few local fabrication places around work so should be able to find one who can cut me some panels and I can affix on the inside of the ply, stop all the chemicals getting in.
Bit of drama involved and if I hadn't already got all the ply cut and ready to whack together I wouldn't be bothering but now I've started I want to see the project through.
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Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 2:21pm
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Boz mate there has been sht loads made from ply over the years and they work, dont be to concerned about the hype, the thing with tanalised is not to use the tanilised wood chip to do your smoking with ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: Telecaster
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 2:32pm
| I would use ply, just do a few good hot empty runs before you use it. |
Posted By: Grovo
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 5:34pm
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Ply will be fine. That fish i dude can't even spell formaldehyde! Lot o scare mongering these days. Make it with ply, do it like Tele29 rekons - clean it out first! Edit - he's right though, google search finds articles talking of glues used in some plywoods the formaldehyde is in the glue. Wouldn't worry too much, formaldehyde used to fix specimens in laboratories etc, old school footrot treatment in sheep etc, plenty o people have had plenty more exposure then some possibly mild fumes that possibly may be given off from some glue that possibly contains a small amount of formaldehyde.
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Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 6:08pm
| formaldehyde =cancer |
Posted By: deacs
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 6:28pm
Wear a gas mask when near the smoker
Three smokers i have seen on here are made of ply so hoping all thats eaten from them don't suffer from the effects.
How long does the "hyde" stay in the wood and remain active when heated is proably the best question?
If your going to be worried about it constantly then you will need to start all over again or hope to find a nice big metal cabinet for free.... which metals can't you use again though?
I will lend you my one and you can do all the smoking for us until you save for a commercial model
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Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 7:51pm
| I was going to use ply too. Maybe there is nothing wrong with it But i wasn't willing to risk it. |
Posted By: Thesteamer
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 9:02pm
| hey there you near a bunnings ?Go have look in bbq section Hark gas smoker $298 problem solved !!Had one for couple years now great little units all powder coated just hook up gas bottle & go.My thoughts if ya worried bout treated wood / ply etc. |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 10:07pm
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**** it I'm going to run with ply. Will do a couple of big burn-offs first with plenty of heat and smoke. All manner of conflicting opinions on the internet, seems plenty of people around the world have used ply ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 12:19am
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why not just head down to mitre 10 get a small med size galvanized shed hang up some racks make a tin floor add manuka/tea tree etc wood logs and smoke till the fish come home. walk in walk out ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: tas-tackle
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 12:57am
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Neighbor has done that with tiny shed... Used wire wove bed frames for racks and installed a concrete floor.. has this metal mushroom in the middle of the floor under which he lights his fire and adds manuka ... mushroom stops the fire from rising high and the smoke billows out from underneath... fires it up at 7.00am and all done at 4.00pm... When we have a large amount to smoke and my smoker is too small, we get him to do it for us for a share of the proceeds.. Ron's an eighty year old guy who lives alone so just wants a fish for himself.. ------------- http://postimage.org/" rel="nofollow">  http://www.tas-tackle.co.nz |
Posted By: Grovo
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 12:18pm
Yep heres a bit more of a list according to one source haha= So better not have any wood dust when building! and no drinking alcohol either! and you've been a painter for a while so theres ya go, cancer again already! Acetaldehyde (from consuming alcoholic beverages)
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Posted By: Telecaster
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 1:30pm
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Posted By: Finatic
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 1:47pm
Apparently the main cause of cancer these days is breathing ------------- What's the cheapest type of meat? Dear balls. They're under a buck. |
Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2011 at 2:34pm
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Ok then how it's painted or not painted will decide what is best. but the tn shed will not send the coating from the inside shed onto your food anyway. as over time the smoke will coat the inside and keep out spiders other things. same as old dryers ovens etc etc, burn it out 1st with some thing nontoxic and ya be good as gold ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 4:20pm
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Some good ideas there chaps but not really relevant to my situation. Have sttled on continuing with the ply and having a couple of burn-offs before putting any food in there.
Progress has been on hold the last few nights but this weekend she's all on, hope to get most of it finished. Will post some pics at some stage of the progress.
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Posted By: mowerman
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 5:59pm
| The short a the sweet of it all..is the smoker should not get to hot.all my smoking is around 50degC..with a final boost and plenty of smoke to finish it off..at no time does it get hotter than 60deg,Im sure the smoke seals in the nastys ..so donta worry..we all goota die 1 day..im 61 and been eating home smoked fish all my life..plus beers..and keeping fit.. enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Posted By: fish i
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 6:35pm
Think this explains alot actually. No doubt they work, doesn't mean it's any good. My old man has made one out of blocks. The thing with a good smoker is they just get better and better. You could almost throw fish in my old mans one and leave it to smoke cold w no fire. The glazed coating on the walls is insane from years of smoking. ------------- 6th place in the inaugural Te Kauwhata Regionals paddle crab division |
Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2011 at 9:32pm
| What sort of sealer would anyone recomend for sealing up cracks/holes in a smoker? |
Posted By: riga
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2011 at 7:45pm
| I've seen a guy using a wine barrel as a smoker. Thinking of making one myself. Looks like you can get wine barrels pretty easily too. |
Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2011 at 9:40pm
| yep most wineries will sell them, last one I asked wanted 90 bucks for one though. Would look good but seemed a bit pricey for me. |
Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2011 at 9:40pm
How'd you go? |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2011 at 10:44pm
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95% finished now. Need to recess the racks about 3mm at the back as they stopping the door shutting properly. Also want to add a bbq temp guage on the top door about 3/4 of the way up.
Going to add in a tin oven roasting dish just below the smoker pipe to dissipate the heat from the gas ring and catch drips from the fish.
Lastly just need an adaptor for my gas ring as the gas hose I have doesn't fit it.
Few pics
Started with this
 End result
   Vents
 Pretty happy with the end result, never been a handyman as such and was learning a lot as I went. Plus my tools consisted of cordless drill (with holesaw bit) and a handsaw
Borrowed a keyhole saw off the old man and bought a chisel and that was it really------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: deacs
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2011 at 10:46pm
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Good sht, now lets go get some fish to fill it up
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Posted By: Jet_ski_fisher
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2011 at 10:51pm
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Impressive stuff! ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow"> MH... Catch measure release...<*))))< |
Posted By: mozz
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2011 at 10:53pm
Being a westie I thought you would have just stolen someones toolshed and called it a smoker
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Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2011 at 10:56pm
The thought crossed my mind bro
. No room for anything big or permanent on the section though------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Blue Asparagus
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2011 at 12:22am
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looking the goods bro, best we fill it with a real fish ay Go the Spam. ------------- Ultimate GAME Fishing Adventures. Northland |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2011 at 7:24am
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Go the spam. Northwards bound this weekend Steve for a bit of LBG, snappers where its at you know
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Posted By: cod
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2011 at 7:32am
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hey simon will give you some cures to try for youre smoking will get katrina to give them to jana tomorrow |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2011 at 10:50am
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Awesome thanks Justin! Hopefully will have some fish to smoke after this weekend if all goes to plan ------------- http://www.legasea.co.nz" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Seth
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2011 at 11:04am
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Looking good Boz
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Posted By: Quick silver
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2011 at 4:56pm
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Nice work mate. I found it hard to catch a fish after Built mine :D Is it just me or did this threat used to have a different name? |
Posted By: Boz19
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2011 at 9:54am
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You're right mate, used to have a different name but I changed it after I had finshed building and added the pics. Got some fish to try in it this week, gotta get those slight finishes done then she'll be all go.
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Posted By: skunk
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 5:16pm
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Hey Boz19, was searching for ideas for a smoker build and came across your beauty. was wondering how it went and if there was anything you would have done or have modified for best results? cheers ------------- "Team Skunk 10th equal Grunter Hunter 2020" |
Posted By: smudge
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 10:26pm
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Mathew, have a look at this: http://www.nzfishingworld.co.nz/how-to/2015/02/how-build-smokehouse ------------- Best gurnard fisherman in my street |
Posted By: Skoti
Date Posted: 01 May 2015 at 2:22am
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How good was that smoked KY Smudge ------------- COVID is no joke ! One former patient was so brain damaged after , he thought he won an election he lost by 7 million votes . |
Posted By: skunk
Date Posted: 01 May 2015 at 7:52am
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Thanks Smudge..thats just the ticket..looks like you were a capable site foreman on that build I am quite keen to go with a gas burner setup.cheers ------------- "Team Skunk 10th equal Grunter Hunter 2020" |
Posted By: pjc
Date Posted: 01 May 2015 at 9:46am
------------- Sex at 58.Lucky I live at 56 |