Smoker Upgrade!
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Hey everyone, it has been just a little since I’ve been here. The last time I was here I received LOTS of good information from everyone with respect to me beginning my Summer Sausage ‘making’. One of the pieces of advice that I received was a piece of equipment… a PID. Now, I knew nothing about a PID and am no electrician but I began doing a bit of internet research and am happy to report… I learned something. So, I jumped into this ‘Smoker Upgrade’ full bore! I now have my Smoker fully equipped with all the bells & whistles. Additionally, I, after reading all the comments about the benefits of using a Sous Vide cooker, I also followed that lead. Here are some pics of what I have been up to and how I actually got to this point… the point where I should simply get to making some Summer Sausage!
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/Users/Ron/Pictures/Ron’s Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/derivatives/2/2FA45809-9B76-4D4A-A557-C828858044FB_1_105_c.jpegRetired157 Outstanding job and glad you found George’s vids, he really brings the info done to the simple level. While there may not be a reason for a meter or your rig may be too much for some it is YOUR creation and I bet you had fun building it. I know that you learned a lot, so I’m happy to see your progress, now test it and give us some beautiful pics of meat.
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Fair enough, I agree it’s kind of cool to know your heat element is drawing current showing that it is working
This spring I plan on converting my Masterbuilt electric to PID -
Retired157 Outstanding job and glad you found George’s vids, he really brings the info done to the simple level. While there may not be a reason for a meter or your rig may be too much for some it is YOUR creation and I bet you had fun building it. I know that you learned a lot, so I’m happy to see your progress, now test it and give us some beautiful pics of meat.
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Thank You; Won’t be long and I’ll be joining everyone and ‘creating’ some of my own Summer Sausage… pics will be coming!
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Fair enough, I agree it’s kind of cool to know your heat element is drawing current showing that it is working
This spring I plan on converting my Masterbuilt electric to PIDDo yourself a favor and find ‘George’ on You Tube… I think I searched ‘wiring a PID’. He has numerous videos from the basic design to those including a bit of ‘cool factor’. George is great at taking you all the way through… step by step.
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Do yourself a favor and find ‘George’ on You Tube… I think I searched ‘wiring a PID’. He has numerous videos from the basic design to those including a bit of ‘cool factor’. George is great at taking you all the way through… step by step.
Retired157 said in Smoker Upgrade!:
Do yourself a favor and find ‘George’ on You Tube… I think I searched ‘wiring a PID’. He has numerous videos from the basic design to those including a bit of ‘cool factor’. George is great at taking you all the way through… step by step.
I agree 110% he does a fantastic job with PID’s and other cool stuff.
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Retired157 , mrobisr, thanks I will do that. The wiring is pretty simple but I can always learn something and no use in re-inventing the wheel!
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Retired157
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/Users/Ron/Pictures/Ron’s Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/derivatives/A/AC2012FB-5B22-4645-A7FA-C0986924733E_1_102_a.jpegRetired157 You have been busy, congrats on your builds.
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Having an ammeter in the power circuit to the heating element does tell you something usefull that a simple indicator light does not. An ammeter measures the current going through the heating element.
IF your heating element were to fail, there would be no current flow through it and the meter would show this.
A simple indicator light only tells you that the controls are switching voltage on and off to the element, and the light would show this whether the element were working or not.
So an ammeter is kind of a built in diagnostic device for when the the smoker doesn’t heat properly. I probably would not add one to my smoker build, but I also have electrical test equipment that allows me to do the diagnostics without a built in meter.Paul
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Having an ammeter in the power circuit to the heating element does tell you something usefull that a simple indicator light does not. An ammeter measures the current going through the heating element.
IF your heating element were to fail, there would be no current flow through it and the meter would show this.
A simple indicator light only tells you that the controls are switching voltage on and off to the element, and the light would show this whether the element were working or not.
So an ammeter is kind of a built in diagnostic device for when the the smoker doesn’t heat properly. I probably would not add one to my smoker build, but I also have electrical test equipment that allows me to do the diagnostics without a built in meter.10-4 on that! My smoker has a 700w heating element so even at full draw/current flow, that’s only 5.8amps… (700/120 = 5.8). My ‘analog’ amp meter is a ‘0’ to ‘20’… so I am noticing that its ‘needle’ just barely moves at the lower temp settings. The digital meter on the other hand gives me a readout ‘visually’ (with decimal point) at these lower temps… and their ‘draws’ i.e. amount of current flow. I have to admit, it’s kinda fun seeing & knowing what all is going on inside… and the ‘cost’ of a meter is dirt cheap.
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Retired157 are you happy overall with the smoker itself? There is a Smoking Tex 1400 on the local buy sell trade site here with little use for a good price. Thinking about pulling the trigger on it.
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Great post. Can you give more info on the sous vide? Cooler, couplings, etc.? Thanks.
Hey no problem. First, I went with the Anova - 1000w - Sous Vide… so all my ‘measurements’ are specific for it. I bought cooker/cooler from Home Depot… 48quart Coleman. I also bought my Schedule 40 PVC from HD which I used to make/modify my cooler’s lid to hold the Anova. So, here goes…
First, I used 3" PVC for this modification. I bought one (2ft) section of 3"… they sell 2ft sections so you don’t have to buy a full length. Then, the only other thing I needed was a 3" cap… easy enough.
Next, thing I needed to do was ‘mark’ dead center (bottom) of my 3" cap. Then, using a 2-3/8" hole saw, I drilled out the cap… this hole now allows my Anova to slide in… nice & secure. After drilling this hole, I cleaned it up nicely with a rattail file.
With the hole done, I glued my 2ft length of 3" pipe in… all the way - bottom it out. You will note in the pic that in addition to gluing these parts together, I also used two sheet metal screws (small @1/2" - 180degrees out from each other) to ensure my two ‘pieces’ never come apart.
Then, I had to decide where I wanted to locate my Anova (its home) on the cooler/cooker lid… I went for that upper left location. This allows me to open & close the lid even with the Anova ‘in place’. A word of caution here… NEVER allow your Anova to be ‘ON’ and ‘removed’ (out) of the water. Apparently this is a sure fire way to burn up a Sous Vide cooker… so don’t open your lid with your Anova ‘On’.
Using a 3-5/8" hole saw (which I did have to buy @HD), I slowly & carefully cut the hole in the lid… it actually went/cut without any issues. Now, you are able to ‘feed’ the 3" pipe in from the side of the lid… be sure to bottom out the cap to the underside of the lid… NO Gap. From here, I had to decide just how much of the 3" pipe I actually was going to need ‘above’ the top side of the lid. I marked the pipe ‘flush’ to the lid and decided on I think… 1" higher. Now I marked & cut the pipe to length.
From here, I did not want my ‘creation’ to fall back into the cooler, so, with it fitted tight to the underside, I marked three spots on the pipe… @ ‘12’, ‘4’, and ‘8’. Then again using some small metal screws, 1/2" again, I screwed them in deep enough to hold but out enough to rest on top of the lid… now, the PVC ‘holder’ can’t be pulled up or pushed down… it’s secure!
Almost forgot… Pilot Holes are required to screw into the PVC
Now, you can see in the pic, I have a ‘slot’ cut in the back of the PVC pipe sticking out above the lid. This allows the Anova power cord to slide down to allow the Anova to be as low (down) as possible in the cooler/cooker. I wanted to make SURE that the Anova was always IN water and that it hung plenty ‘deep’… and it does!
From here, I used epoxy to seal/secure everything… top & bottom. Then I used silicon to ‘pretty’ things up.
You know that ‘black’ pipe insulation they sell for going around copper pipe (water heaters)… I had a piece of that laying around… 2". I cut a 1" piece off and it is a perfect fit/way to secure the Anova when in place… NO shake, rattle, or roll!
Done. Hope all that makes sense. I hope you have the pics you need. I tried ‘foaming’ the inside of the lid (spray can) for added insulation value as per a You Tube video. I found this to be a total waste of effort and NOT worth it… don’t do it. So yes, I had some additional holes to ‘seal’… wish I could do that over (or NOT OVER!)
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Retired157 are you happy overall with the smoker itself? There is a Smoking Tex 1400 on the local buy sell trade site here with little use for a good price. Thinking about pulling the trigger on it.
Actually, yes! I really like my little 1400. I am VERY impressed with how well it is built. Right now these guys for $649… I dang near sold mine last year at the wife’s Garage Sale… glad I sometimes don’t listen!
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Hey no problem. First, I went with the Anova - 1000w - Sous Vide… so all my ‘measurements’ are specific for it. I bought cooker/cooler from Home Depot… 48quart Coleman. I also bought my Schedule 40 PVC from HD which I used to make/modify my cooler’s lid to hold the Anova. So, here goes…
First, I used 3" PVC for this modification. I bought one (2ft) section of 3"… they sell 2ft sections so you don’t have to buy a full length. Then, the only other thing I needed was a 3" cap… easy enough.
Next, thing I needed to do was ‘mark’ dead center (bottom) of my 3" cap. Then, using a 2-3/8" hole saw, I drilled out the cap… this hole now allows my Anova to slide in… nice & secure. After drilling this hole, I cleaned it up nicely with a rattail file.
With the hole done, I glued my 2ft length of 3" pipe in… all the way - bottom it out. You will note in the pic that in addition to gluing these parts together, I also used two sheet metal screws (small @1/2" - 180degrees out from each other) to ensure my two ‘pieces’ never come apart.
Then, I had to decide where I wanted to locate my Anova (its home) on the cooler/cooker lid… I went for that upper left location. This allows me to open & close the lid even with the Anova ‘in place’. A word of caution here… NEVER allow your Anova to be ‘ON’ and ‘removed’ (out) of the water. Apparently this is a sure fire way to burn up a Sous Vide cooker… so don’t open your lid with your Anova ‘On’.
Using a 3-5/8" hole saw (which I did have to buy @HD), I slowly & carefully cut the hole in the lid… it actually went/cut without any issues. Now, you are able to ‘feed’ the 3" pipe in from the side of the lid… be sure to bottom out the cap to the underside of the lid… NO Gap. From here, I had to decide just how much of the 3" pipe I actually was going to need ‘above’ the top side of the lid. I marked the pipe ‘flush’ to the lid and decided on I think… 1" higher. Now I marked & cut the pipe to length.
From here, I did not want my ‘creation’ to fall back into the cooler, so, with it fitted tight to the underside, I marked three spots on the pipe… @ ‘12’, ‘4’, and ‘8’. Then again using some small metal screws, 1/2" again, I screwed them in deep enough to hold but out enough to rest on top of the lid… now, the PVC ‘holder’ can’t be pulled up or pushed down… it’s secure!
Almost forgot… Pilot Holes are required to screw into the PVC
Now, you can see in the pic, I have a ‘slot’ cut in the back of the PVC pipe sticking out above the lid. This allows the Anova power cord to slide down to allow the Anova to be as low (down) as possible in the cooler/cooker. I wanted to make SURE that the Anova was always IN water and that it hung plenty ‘deep’… and it does!
From here, I used epoxy to seal/secure everything… top & bottom. Then I used silicon to ‘pretty’ things up.
You know that ‘black’ pipe insulation they sell for going around copper pipe (water heaters)… I had a piece of that laying around… 2". I cut a 1" piece off and it is a perfect fit/way to secure the Anova when in place… NO shake, rattle, or roll!
Done. Hope all that makes sense. I hope you have the pics you need. I tried ‘foaming’ the inside of the lid (spray can) for added insulation value as per a You Tube video. I found this to be a total waste of effort and NOT worth it… don’t do it. So yes, I had some additional holes to ‘seal’… wish I could do that over (or NOT OVER!)
/Users/Ron/Pictures/Ron’s Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/derivatives/0/0A6A59D0-2A39-4CF6-ACD8-423555CDAB45_1_102_o.jpeg /Users/Ron/Pictures/Ron’s Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/derivatives/A/A4CCBBA2-4185-4128-B29E-CA7D10D117A7_1_102_o.jpegRetired157 good post. Thanks
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Hey no problem. First, I went with the Anova - 1000w - Sous Vide… so all my ‘measurements’ are specific for it. I bought cooker/cooler from Home Depot… 48quart Coleman. I also bought my Schedule 40 PVC from HD which I used to make/modify my cooler’s lid to hold the Anova. So, here goes…
First, I used 3" PVC for this modification. I bought one (2ft) section of 3"… they sell 2ft sections so you don’t have to buy a full length. Then, the only other thing I needed was a 3" cap… easy enough.
Next, thing I needed to do was ‘mark’ dead center (bottom) of my 3" cap. Then, using a 2-3/8" hole saw, I drilled out the cap… this hole now allows my Anova to slide in… nice & secure. After drilling this hole, I cleaned it up nicely with a rattail file.
With the hole done, I glued my 2ft length of 3" pipe in… all the way - bottom it out. You will note in the pic that in addition to gluing these parts together, I also used two sheet metal screws (small @1/2" - 180degrees out from each other) to ensure my two ‘pieces’ never come apart.
Then, I had to decide where I wanted to locate my Anova (its home) on the cooler/cooker lid… I went for that upper left location. This allows me to open & close the lid even with the Anova ‘in place’. A word of caution here… NEVER allow your Anova to be ‘ON’ and ‘removed’ (out) of the water. Apparently this is a sure fire way to burn up a Sous Vide cooker… so don’t open your lid with your Anova ‘On’.
Using a 3-5/8" hole saw (which I did have to buy @HD), I slowly & carefully cut the hole in the lid… it actually went/cut without any issues. Now, you are able to ‘feed’ the 3" pipe in from the side of the lid… be sure to bottom out the cap to the underside of the lid… NO Gap. From here, I had to decide just how much of the 3" pipe I actually was going to need ‘above’ the top side of the lid. I marked the pipe ‘flush’ to the lid and decided on I think… 1" higher. Now I marked & cut the pipe to length.
From here, I did not want my ‘creation’ to fall back into the cooler, so, with it fitted tight to the underside, I marked three spots on the pipe… @ ‘12’, ‘4’, and ‘8’. Then again using some small metal screws, 1/2" again, I screwed them in deep enough to hold but out enough to rest on top of the lid… now, the PVC ‘holder’ can’t be pulled up or pushed down… it’s secure!
Almost forgot… Pilot Holes are required to screw into the PVC
Now, you can see in the pic, I have a ‘slot’ cut in the back of the PVC pipe sticking out above the lid. This allows the Anova power cord to slide down to allow the Anova to be as low (down) as possible in the cooler/cooker. I wanted to make SURE that the Anova was always IN water and that it hung plenty ‘deep’… and it does!
From here, I used epoxy to seal/secure everything… top & bottom. Then I used silicon to ‘pretty’ things up.
You know that ‘black’ pipe insulation they sell for going around copper pipe (water heaters)… I had a piece of that laying around… 2". I cut a 1" piece off and it is a perfect fit/way to secure the Anova when in place… NO shake, rattle, or roll!
Done. Hope all that makes sense. I hope you have the pics you need. I tried ‘foaming’ the inside of the lid (spray can) for added insulation value as per a You Tube video. I found this to be a total waste of effort and NOT worth it… don’t do it. So yes, I had some additional holes to ‘seal’… wish I could do that over (or NOT OVER!)
/Users/Ron/Pictures/Ron’s Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/derivatives/0/0A6A59D0-2A39-4CF6-ACD8-423555CDAB45_1_102_o.jpeg /Users/Ron/Pictures/Ron’s Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/derivatives/A/A4CCBBA2-4185-4128-B29E-CA7D10D117A7_1_102_o.jpegAwesome!! Definitely going to try this. Thanks.
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Yep… It won’t be much longer and I’ll be ready to try my hand at making some Summer Sausage. I’ve got one more ‘tweak’ I want to do with my smoker (don’t anyone tell my wife). I’m going to make a ‘portable’ fan to use in order to help with air flow at the intake damper. Ordered the fan yesterday…
With respect to this PID project, I tell anyone who asks that it’s really not ‘rocket science’… if I can do it, ANYONE can! It was so easy after watching ‘George’ on his You Tube videos. The wiring diagram pic is so easy to follow. The pic of all the settings for the PID is straight forward and all you need. Anyone who has been ‘thinking’ about doing something like this but has been ‘wondering’… oh man, it was just so easy!
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Retired157 What kind of adapter on your ice chest for Anova? I’ve used sous vide for the last couple years but haven’t modified a cooler yet.
I used PVC… a small piece of 3" pipe & a cap was all it took to make a really nice mod in my opinion. After that it was just getting back to my roots in being a ‘back yard mechanic’… I just replied to ‘stephenmterry’ with a completed ‘How I did it’… are you able to see that reply? I am not sure how this site actually ‘works’ but I hope you can access that reply.
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I use charcoal, wood, and beer. That way I can tell my wife I can’t do anything for the day except drink beer and monitor temperatures or the food will be ruined. LOL
Yeah, I suspect that many of us have come up with some ‘creative’ solutions for our ‘better half’ … some work; some not so much
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