Smoker Upgrade!
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Are the fans there to help control the heat ?lol. I told you i am a jarhead
Yep, I just positioned one of my bedroom fans about two feet from my ‘stack’ there on the door. Then, as the PID brings my smoker up to temp, I ‘tinker’ with the stack’s open/close lid and the fan’s airspeed until they all begin to work together to/and maintains the temp I want. It takes very little (maybe 5minutes) to get it right and I keep an eye on it to ‘catch’ any fluctuations which might occur. I can tell you that I pretty much can keep my temp within a plus or minus 3 degrees of my desired temp. So, if my cooking schedule calls for 1 hour @125F, I do not start my timer until I have my ‘temp’ at 125…
That fan is a ‘Vernado’… has three speeds and it works just perfect for what I do/needed. Very easy… I’m all about easy!
No fan ‘inside’ the smoker…
I was doing the smoking in my garage, so when I added the 2oz’s of wood, as it was ‘smoking’ out the top vent hole on my smoker, I took the Vernado out of the spare bedroom and positioned it on a step-stool (higher) to direct the smoke out of the garage. Kinda figured that out as I was doing it. Once the wood was ‘done’ and there was no more smoke being generated, I stopped using the second fan and could close the garage door again. It was only about 30 degrees outside when I did this so I didn’t want to spend the WHOLE day outside… the garage was a perfect option.
Hope that explanation helps
Bottomline… I did not find maintaining my desired temperature(s) any problem at all. That PID thing (in spite of me) knew just what to do!
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Thats awesome. I’ll take that 3 degree fluxes all day. Way better than the 20 degree swings I fight.
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Thats awesome. I’ll take that 3 degree fluxes all day. Way better than the 20 degree swings I fight.
Yep! I can’t imagine trying to maintain a constant temperature without the help of a PID. Is it something that you can set and walk away from for hours… no; but I was doing dishes, taking the dog out, drinking a beer or two and ‘watching’… not once did I lose control.
I will tell you that I surprised to see that the ‘dial’ temp gauge I installed in the door was pretty much useless… it was not ‘accurate’ at all when comparing to the PID readings. If I had to do it over, I’d not even put one in. The PID with the temp probe I installed is ALL you need.
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Now that air vent stack in the door… totally an ESSENTIAL item!!!
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Thanks for that. I will put that on my list for the build.
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Retired157 I use a mortar mixing tub, they are food grade and come it two sizes. I use the smaller of the two, clean up isn’t too bad as they are smooth and the ends are sloped so not much for corners.
bocephus said in Smoker Upgrade!:
Retired157 I use a mortar mixing tub, they are food grade and come it two sizes. I use the smaller of the two, clean up isn’t too bad as they are smooth and the ends are sloped so not much for corners.
I ordered one of these and it should be in tomorrow for clean ups, hopefully it will make things easier. I will keep it unhooked so I can move it around, so we will see.
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bocephus said in Smoker Upgrade!:
Retired157 I use a mortar mixing tub, they are food grade and come it two sizes. I use the smaller of the two, clean up isn’t too bad as they are smooth and the ends are sloped so not much for corners.
I ordered one of these and it should be in tomorrow for clean ups, hopefully it will make things easier. I will keep it unhooked so I can move it around, so we will see.
I might have to see if I can’t ‘incorporate’ that in my garage. I actually did a lot of my clean up in the bath tub. My wife was not at home… she didn’t ‘ask’ so I’m guessing I did ok.
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I might have to see if I can’t ‘incorporate’ that in my garage. I actually did a lot of my clean up in the bath tub. My wife was not at home… she didn’t ‘ask’ so I’m guessing I did ok.
Retired157 Ok that is too funny!!!
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I might have to see if I can’t ‘incorporate’ that in my garage. I actually did a lot of my clean up in the bath tub. My wife was not at home… she didn’t ‘ask’ so I’m guessing I did ok.
Retired157 that is a very nice muley in your avatar
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Retired157 that is a very nice muley in your avatar
Thanks… sometimes I do get lucky.
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Wow, what a great thread. So much great knowledge and interesting builds! Plus all the wildlife etc.
Well, I spent all day reading about Sausages instead of making my snack sticks, just reading old threads and replying to a few… couldn’t let my attention wander too much and make sausage. This seems like a great place to explain why … NEW LAB PUPPY, HER FIRST DAY AT HOME!! Yep, spent the day puppy priofing house, cleaning up messes, bonding etc, and reading this great community!
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Wow, what a great thread. So much great knowledge and interesting builds! Plus all the wildlife etc.
Well, I spent all day reading about Sausages instead of making my snack sticks, just reading old threads and replying to a few… couldn’t let my attention wander too much and make sausage. This seems like a great place to explain why … NEW LAB PUPPY, HER FIRST DAY AT HOME!! Yep, spent the day puppy priofing house, cleaning up messes, bonding etc, and reading this great community!
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Wow, what a great thread. So much great knowledge and interesting builds! Plus all the wildlife etc.
Well, I spent all day reading about Sausages instead of making my snack sticks, just reading old threads and replying to a few… couldn’t let my attention wander too much and make sausage. This seems like a great place to explain why … NEW LAB PUPPY, HER FIRST DAY AT HOME!! Yep, spent the day puppy priofing house, cleaning up messes, bonding etc, and reading this great community!
Dave in AZ Sounds like a day that you will remember. Glad you found it entertaining as we do.
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Dave in AZ our Spinone is 9 month and there is no puppy proofing that will stop a determined nose. Good luck with your new buddy.
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Dave in AZ That’s a cutie you have there. A quick learner, He already knows how to pose for the camera. He deserves a treat.
By the way, welcome to the Community. -
Wow, what a great thread. So much great knowledge and interesting builds! Plus all the wildlife etc.
Well, I spent all day reading about Sausages instead of making my snack sticks, just reading old threads and replying to a few… couldn’t let my attention wander too much and make sausage. This seems like a great place to explain why … NEW LAB PUPPY, HER FIRST DAY AT HOME!! Yep, spent the day puppy priofing house, cleaning up messes, bonding etc, and reading this great community!
Dave in AZ said in Smoker Upgrade!:
Wow, what a great thread. So much great knowledge and interesting builds! Plus all the wildlife etc.
Well, I spent all day reading about Sausages instead of making my snack sticks, just reading old threads and replying to a few… couldn’t let my attention wander too much and make sausage. This seems like a great place to explain why … NEW LAB PUPPY, HER FIRST DAY AT HOME!! Yep, spent the day puppy priofing house, cleaning up messes, bonding etc, and reading this great community!
Sounds like a great way to spend a day. Enjoy your pup.
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Dave in AZ beautiful puppy thanks for sharing
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I agree, this is an awesome thread. I learned a lot. I only had a 30 inch tall smoker and was handcuffed to the length of sausage I could hang.
I cut the legs off and welded up a box to replace them. Switched from propane to electric and added a thermal blanket enclosing all in wood. I had a Bradley smoke generator hanging around so I mounted that also. Build a PID thanks to this thread!!!
I’m almost finished with this build, I need to add a fan. I promise to add pictures when I finish this with some sausage photos.
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