How To Make A Smoker Bbqs Smokers

How to make a smoker

chezglenn 15 years ago

I live in Spain and can't buy a smoker over here. Would like to make my own. Any Hints or good help around?

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chefwithtaste 15 years ago said:

Hi chezglenn,
I have heard that these work really well, worth the effort.

Things You’ll Need:
• Non-working Refrigerator (Not side by side)
• One 3 foot length of 1 1/2 inch OD metal tubing
• Drill with 1 1/2 inch hole saw and ¾ inch drill bits
• Hibachi or other small grill
Step1
Locate a non-working refrigerator. Those with the freezer on the bottom work best, but any refrigerator with an upper and lower door will do fine.
Step2
Remove any hardware, coils, tubing or other features from the outside of the refrigerator.
Step3
Turn the refrigerator to where the smallest compartment (usually the freezer) is on the bottom.
Step4
Use the drill and a ¾ inch drill bit to drill holes between the freezer and refrigerator compartments. Space the holes out evenly throughout the interior of the refrigerator.
Step5
Use the drill and hole saw to cut a 1 ½ inch round hole through the top of the refrigerator into the compartment below.
Step6
Use a mallet to drive the pipe halfway through the round hole, leaving a portion of the pipe extending on the inside and the outside of the refrigerator.
Step7
Start a small cooking fire in the hibachi or small grill. Place the grill in the smaller (bottom) compartment of the refrigerator. Leave the door open until the fire is hot.
Step8
Add the smoking wood of your choice to the grill. Close the door. The smoke will travel through the holes between compartments and out through the pipe at the top.

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notyourmomma 15 years ago said:

Nice way to recycle, too.

There is a way to make a smoker with clay pots and using an electric hot plate. Alton Brown has demonstrated it on his show. I sure you could find some decent sized clay pots in Spain and improvise. I'll see if I can find the link to his instructions.

I an off-set smoker for the big stuff and have used the water smoker for cooler smoking of foods like shrimp, fish and cheese. The off-set smoker works best for the ribs, pork shoulders and briskets.

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2marbles 15 years ago said:

My husband just made two smokers for his competition out of 55 gallon drums. The lids to Weber grills (found 2nd hand all over the place) fit the top of the drum.

I'd be happy to post more details if anyone is interested. It was quite a process.

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frodo 15 years ago said:

i also have made smokers out of a frig. couple of tips
1 make sure that the refrigerater you have has all the plastic removed from the inside of it and the insulation also.
you also need 2 0-500 degree therometers one installed in the fire box door and the other in the meat compartment door
you will also need to drill a couple of holes in the side of the fire box. 2 or 3 inch diameter. and install a slidding cover on the hole
this will be for regulating air flow
it also needs a cap for the exhaust pipe that will swivel open and close with the heat

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