Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?
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Just updating my progress over the last couple of weeks. First, I built a heat diffuser to help spread out the direct radiation from the hot plate. One of the old SS shelves from a previous smoker project worked nicely and just needed some legs which I made from all-thread rod.
Next, I did some panel fabrication for the Inkbird PID controller. Again, just used materials I had laying around for the panel and standoffs that went inside the box. Once completed, the box was attached to the door of the smoker.
Wiring from the controller box was fished in through the interior of the door and out the side. The wiring was run between the outer layer of sheet metal and the insulation which is the cool side.
Next the wiring is routed though flexible conduit and into the inner cavity of the main chamber. This provides a flexible, durable route for the temperature controller wiring on the door to get it into the main compartment.
processhead I have been eyeing up a few food warming cases for a possible winter project. Unfortunately not quite as cheap as Chef has found them. I think I will need to look in larger metro areas, I have time.
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I have been working on getting the power and control wiring finished and operational. I prefer to keep most of the wiring enclosed in conduit and covered electrical boxes or internal covered channels in the cabinet itself.
The exception is the the power cord to the hot plate which I could have hard wired into the system, but instead I left it with the original cord and plug and installed a receptacle underneath for it to plug in to. This will make it easier to replace if the element ever burns out or needs to be changed for some other reason.
Black cube shaped object is the Solid State Relay or SSR . It takes the low power control signal from the PID and switches the 120 volt AC current on and off to the hot plate inside.
SSRs generate some heat when they are switched on and need to be mounted to a metal surface or heat sink to absorb the heat.
In this case, the outer sheet metal cabinet of the smoker is acting as the heat sink.
Since the smoker is usually operated outside, I installed a GFCI device for safety. The case of the smoker is grounded through the power cord, also for safety.
The toggle switch is the main power switch for the unit. Both the GFCI and the toggle switch are rated for 20 amp service. I used a 15 foot long piece of 14 gauge cord to give the smoker a little more reach to an outlet.
The picture below was when I was trying out the auto tune function of the PID. Not great, but probably acceptable for a smoker.
Manual tuning of the PID did work pretty well though, and was holding temps consistently within +/- 2 degrees from the set point. I plan to do more tuning and testing with some pans of water in the smoker to simulate a load of meat or sausage.
Paul
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I have been working on getting the power and control wiring finished and operational. I prefer to keep most of the wiring enclosed in conduit and covered electrical boxes or internal covered channels in the cabinet itself.
The exception is the the power cord to the hot plate which I could have hard wired into the system, but instead I left it with the original cord and plug and installed a receptacle underneath for it to plug in to. This will make it easier to replace if the element ever burns out or needs to be changed for some other reason.
Black cube shaped object is the Solid State Relay or SSR . It takes the low power control signal from the PID and switches the 120 volt AC current on and off to the hot plate inside.
SSRs generate some heat when they are switched on and need to be mounted to a metal surface or heat sink to absorb the heat.
In this case, the outer sheet metal cabinet of the smoker is acting as the heat sink.Since the smoker is usually operated outside, I installed a GFCI device for safety. The case of the smoker is grounded through the power cord, also for safety.
The toggle switch is the main power switch for the unit. Both the GFCI and the toggle switch are rated for 20 amp service. I used a 15 foot long piece of 14 gauge cord to give the smoker a little more reach to an outlet.
The picture below was when I was trying out the auto tune function of the PID. Not great, but probably acceptable for a smoker.
Manual tuning of the PID did work pretty well though, and was holding temps consistently within +/- 2 degrees from the set point. I plan to do more tuning and testing with some pans of water in the smoker to simulate a load of meat or sausage.
processhead Looking pretty awsome!!
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I have been working on getting the power and control wiring finished and operational. I prefer to keep most of the wiring enclosed in conduit and covered electrical boxes or internal covered channels in the cabinet itself.
The exception is the the power cord to the hot plate which I could have hard wired into the system, but instead I left it with the original cord and plug and installed a receptacle underneath for it to plug in to. This will make it easier to replace if the element ever burns out or needs to be changed for some other reason.
Black cube shaped object is the Solid State Relay or SSR . It takes the low power control signal from the PID and switches the 120 volt AC current on and off to the hot plate inside.
SSRs generate some heat when they are switched on and need to be mounted to a metal surface or heat sink to absorb the heat.
In this case, the outer sheet metal cabinet of the smoker is acting as the heat sink.Since the smoker is usually operated outside, I installed a GFCI device for safety. The case of the smoker is grounded through the power cord, also for safety.
The toggle switch is the main power switch for the unit. Both the GFCI and the toggle switch are rated for 20 amp service. I used a 15 foot long piece of 14 gauge cord to give the smoker a little more reach to an outlet.
The picture below was when I was trying out the auto tune function of the PID. Not great, but probably acceptable for a smoker.
Manual tuning of the PID did work pretty well though, and was holding temps consistently within +/- 2 degrees from the set point. I plan to do more tuning and testing with some pans of water in the smoker to simulate a load of meat or sausage.
processhead This is looking real nice, any estimate on what the total cost is going to end up being?
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processhead This is looking real nice, any estimate on what the total cost is going to end up being?
bocephus said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead This is looking real nice, any estimate on what the total cost is going to end up being?
I would estimate new materials costs at $100. Sometimes its hard to estimate total cost because I have a pretty large inventory of miscellaneous hardware, wire and other materials that cost me little or nothing.
Conservatively, I would estimate total material costs still under $150.
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I have been working on getting the power and control wiring finished and operational. I prefer to keep most of the wiring enclosed in conduit and covered electrical boxes or internal covered channels in the cabinet itself.
The exception is the the power cord to the hot plate which I could have hard wired into the system, but instead I left it with the original cord and plug and installed a receptacle underneath for it to plug in to. This will make it easier to replace if the element ever burns out or needs to be changed for some other reason.
Black cube shaped object is the Solid State Relay or SSR . It takes the low power control signal from the PID and switches the 120 volt AC current on and off to the hot plate inside.
SSRs generate some heat when they are switched on and need to be mounted to a metal surface or heat sink to absorb the heat.
In this case, the outer sheet metal cabinet of the smoker is acting as the heat sink.Since the smoker is usually operated outside, I installed a GFCI device for safety. The case of the smoker is grounded through the power cord, also for safety.
The toggle switch is the main power switch for the unit. Both the GFCI and the toggle switch are rated for 20 amp service. I used a 15 foot long piece of 14 gauge cord to give the smoker a little more reach to an outlet.
The picture below was when I was trying out the auto tune function of the PID. Not great, but probably acceptable for a smoker.
Manual tuning of the PID did work pretty well though, and was holding temps consistently within +/- 2 degrees from the set point. I plan to do more tuning and testing with some pans of water in the smoker to simulate a load of meat or sausage.
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Boy that sure looks better than if it went in the landfill. Great job
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I am a fan of casters on equipment, so this smoker is getting some. Old feet off, enlarge tapped holes for 3/8 inch threaded casters and we be rollin.
Now that its outside, making a little smoke.
Paul
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I am a fan of casters on equipment, so this smoker is getting some. Old feet off, enlarge tapped holes for 3/8 inch threaded casters and we be rollin.
Now that its outside, making a little smoke.
processhead I agree the casters are the way to go.
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processhead I agree the casters are the way to go.
bocephus said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead I agree the casters are the way to go.
At age 50 I started putting casters on everything I own. Best thing I ever did. lol
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bocephus said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead I agree the casters are the way to go.
At age 50 I started putting casters on everything I own. Best thing I ever did. lol
processhead said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
bocephus said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead I agree the casters are the way to go.
At age 50 I started putting casters on everything I own. Best thing I ever did. lol
Yep. Same here. Maybe we do get smarter ass we get older.
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processhead said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
bocephus said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead I agree the casters are the way to go.
At age 50 I started putting casters on everything I own. Best thing I ever did. lol
Yep. Same here. Maybe we do get smarter ass we get older.
PapaSop
Think I just got censored for a s. -
processhead said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
bocephus said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead I agree the casters are the way to go.
At age 50 I started putting casters on everything I own. Best thing I ever did. lol
Yep. Same here. Maybe we do get smarter ass we get older.
PapaSop said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
bocephus said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead I agree the casters are the way to go.
At age 50 I started putting casters on everything I own. Best thing I ever did. lol
Yep. Same here. Maybe we do get smarter [censored] we get older.
Great minds think alike. lol
Not sure about smarter PapaSop β¦ I have definitely gotten lazier as I got older. Always looking for a short cut. -
work smarter not harder
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I am a fan of casters on equipment, so this smoker is getting some. Old feet off, enlarge tapped holes for 3/8 inch threaded casters and we be rollin.
Now that its outside, making a little smoke.
processhead Much better!
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I have been working on getting the power and control wiring finished and operational. I prefer to keep most of the wiring enclosed in conduit and covered electrical boxes or internal covered channels in the cabinet itself.
The exception is the the power cord to the hot plate which I could have hard wired into the system, but instead I left it with the original cord and plug and installed a receptacle underneath for it to plug in to. This will make it easier to replace if the element ever burns out or needs to be changed for some other reason.
Black cube shaped object is the Solid State Relay or SSR . It takes the low power control signal from the PID and switches the 120 volt AC current on and off to the hot plate inside.
SSRs generate some heat when they are switched on and need to be mounted to a metal surface or heat sink to absorb the heat.
In this case, the outer sheet metal cabinet of the smoker is acting as the heat sink.Since the smoker is usually operated outside, I installed a GFCI device for safety. The case of the smoker is grounded through the power cord, also for safety.
The toggle switch is the main power switch for the unit. Both the GFCI and the toggle switch are rated for 20 amp service. I used a 15 foot long piece of 14 gauge cord to give the smoker a little more reach to an outlet.
The picture below was when I was trying out the auto tune function of the PID. Not great, but probably acceptable for a smoker.
Manual tuning of the PID did work pretty well though, and was holding temps consistently within +/- 2 degrees from the set point. I plan to do more tuning and testing with some pans of water in the smoker to simulate a load of meat or sausage.
processhead that thing is beautiful. What a great job
. Thanks for sharing it with us. -
PapaSop said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
bocephus said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead I agree the casters are the way to go.
At age 50 I started putting casters on everything I own. Best thing I ever did. lol
Yep. Same here. Maybe we do get smarter [censored] we get older.
Great minds think alike. lol
Not sure about smarter PapaSop β¦ I have definitely gotten lazier as I got older. Always looking for a short cut.processhead Man I need that bad boy in my life LOL!!! Awesome design. Maybe some day I will revisit the idea of building one for home use
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PapaSop They probably knew you were thinking something else even though you didnβt even know it.
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