Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?
-
wdaly said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
processhead Again, thanks for sharing your journey. It’s been great to follow your progress. Must be pretty darn satisfying to finally reap the rewards of your labors. Good job.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT OFFERED ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT!
Sometimes it is hard to keep up the momentum on a bigger project when there are other things I have to or want to do.
With equipment getting more expensive, I maybe someone can apply some of this project/thread for their own smoker build.
Just remember to be safe with any project involving heat/ electricity and the use of power tools.
processhead great post. Thank you for the time and effort you put in. Nice looking piece of equipment that I’m sure you’ll put to great use.
-
processhead - Paul, what type of heating element did you use under your diffuser?
I used this 1500 watt model from Amazon.
https://www.[link removed]/gp/product/B07SW2M2WL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Note that the Meatgisics site software has crippled the link. If you replace the [link removed] and insert [link removed] it should get you to the product.
The internal thermostat is removed and bypassed since the smoker uses an external temp control.
I also learned there is an over temperature fuse in the base of the unit that will fail when the element is used inside the hotter environment of a smoker.When that happened, I had to remove it. It has worked reliably since then.
I also am experimenting with this 1700 watt dual element one.
https://www.[link removed]/gp/product/B07HJQCSXH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1It also has had the internal thermostats controls removed. It does not have the over temperature fuse like the single burner element did.
-
These elements work pretty well. I believe The Sausage Maker uses a basic stove top element like this in their consumer grade smokers. At one time TSM sold just the round elements and a base pan for do it yourself builders, I think it is/was only 1000 watts which is a little on the small side for a cabinet the size of the one I am using on this project.
Since all the radiated heat comes from a relatively small surface, I put the diffuser plate over the top of the element to help eliminate a hot spot in the middle of the cabinet.
-
I think it helps. When you load up a smoker with hanging sausage or sticks, the stuff at the bottom and center will get hotter from the direct radiation from the burn. The diffuser kind of spreads it out more evenly.
-
have you thought about the plastic inside the unit off gassing when exposed to heat or is the temps . being used not enough to be a concern ?
-
have you thought about the plastic inside the unit off gassing when exposed to heat or is the temps . being used not enough to be a concern ?
craigrice said in Electric Smoker OR Landfill: What say you?:
have you thought about the plastic inside the unit off gassing when exposed to heat or is the temps . being used not enough to be a concern ?
The largest plastic part was the shelf unit on the inside of the door. That was replaced with a metal panel, as were a few trim pieces around the edge of the interior.
-
Today I sent the smoker home with Brett, a fellow member of our local archery club.
He is upgrading from his small uninsulated smoker and is getting ready to start processing a big buck he harvested a couple of weeks ago.Paul
-
Today I sent the smoker home with Brett, a fellow member of our local archery club.
He is upgrading from his small uninsulated smoker and is getting ready to start processing a big buck he harvested a couple of weeks ago.processhead great gesture!!! I am sure he will make good use of it and you’re close by to answer his questions as he learns his smoker.
-
Today I sent the smoker home with Brett, a fellow member of our local archery club.
He is upgrading from his small uninsulated smoker and is getting ready to start processing a big buck he harvested a couple of weeks ago.processhead That is a super thing to do & it will likely come back at you someday in a good way. I am sure he appreciates everything you have done to make his meat year that much better! That is about as good as it gets.
-
Brett is a good guy. He is working to upgrade his processing gear and step up his game. I would not be surprised if he showed up on Meatgistics one of these days.
-
P processhead referenced this topic on
-
P processhead referenced this topic on
-
P processhead referenced this topic on
-
P processhead referenced this topic on
-
J Jonathon referenced this topic on
-
Today I stripped the cooling coil/shelves out of the main cabinet and removed the plastic door shelf assembly and gasket from the door.
On this freezer, the cooling coils are used as shelving units and are interconnected by steel refrigerant lines. My goal is to remove the excess refrigeration lines but retain the shelves because I think after they have been cleaned up, they will work pretty good for things like jerky or fish. I also would like the option to be able to remove them so I can hang product on sticks. It’s good to have options
Since my freezer had developed a leak, all the refrigerant was gone and I could cut the lines without worrying about pressurized refrigerant hazards or releases. Be aware if you are converting a freezer/refrigerator that still has a charge. you should properly evacuate the refrigerant, before cutting into the system. Use PSE and be aware or the hazards before working on a charged system.
I also plan to remove the compressor to lighten up the cabinet.
Note that the plastic shelving unit on the door is attached by screws under the gasket. To remove the shelf, you just take out the screws. With the shelf removed, I can replace it with a sheet metal panel and reassemble using the old screws and door gasket. The plastic parts would eventually melt and could off-gas fumes that don’t belong around food.
processhead awesome build. Flagged so I can find later.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register LoginSponsored By:
