Dairy Cooler build

benjfire

Newbie

Original poster

Nov 23, 2015

8

10

• Nov 25, 2015

• #1

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• benjfire
• Nov 25, 2015

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• benjfire
• Nov 25, 2015

Picked up this dairy cooler for $40, all metal inside. Started to gut it out and was wondering if this insulation will be sufficient for hot smoking? What is your guys opinions on a smoke generator? Any advise would be great! Got a auber pid and a brinkmann element for heat and control. Thank You

 

Last edited: Nov 25, 2015

wolfman1955

Master of the Pit

Nov 17, 2013

1,054

47

Chillicothe, Ohio

• Nov 25, 2015

• #2

From your picture looks like fiberglass. Here is what I found for temp. ranges of insulation.

Looks like Fiberglass is good to 1000 deg. F.

Insulation Material	Temperature Range
Low	High
([sup]o[/sup]C)	([sup]o[/sup]F)	([sup]o[/sup]C)	([sup]o[/sup]F)
Calcium Silicate	-18	0	650	1200
Cellular Glass	-260	-450	480	900
Elastomeric foam	-55	-70	120	250
Fiberglass	-30	-20	540	1000
Mineral Wool, Ceramic fiber			1200	2200
Mineral Wool, Glass	0	32	250	480
Mineral Wool, Stone	0	32	760	1400
Phenolic foam			150	300
Polyisocyanurate or polyiso	-180	-290	150	300
Polystyrene	-50	-60	75	165
Polyurethane	-210	-350	120	250
Vermiculite	-272	-459	760	1400

 

wolfman1955

Master of the Pit

Nov 17, 2013

1,054

47

Chillicothe, Ohio

• Nov 25, 2015

• #3

For smoke generation you can't go wrong with one of Todd's  A-MAZE-N-SMOKER products.

Here is a link: http://www.amazenproducts.com/default.asp

 

benjfire

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Original poster

Thread starter

Nov 23, 2015

8

10

• Nov 25, 2015

• #4

I was looking at those. I can't seem to find any info on how they work or how they burn or where you put them? Can I build a offset box or put it right in the smoker? Thanks for your reply! 

 

wolfman1955

Master of the Pit

Nov 17, 2013

1,054

47

Chillicothe, Ohio

• Nov 25, 2015

• #5

benjfire said:

 
I was looking at those. I can't seem to find any info on how they work or how they burn or where you put them? Can I build a offset box or put it right in the smoker? Thanks for your reply! 

Click to expand...

You can do either of those. Search "mailbox mod" that is what a lot of people on here do so that you can hot and cold smoke. The generator will produce heat if you put it inside the smoker and in the smaller masterbuilt type cabinet smokers it gets to hot for cold smoking.

As far as how it works you just fill it up with pellets and light one end of it with a propane torch.

 

Last edited: Nov 25, 2015

benjfire

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Original poster

Thread starter

Nov 23, 2015

8

10

• Nov 25, 2015

• #6

That looks like the set-up to me! I have a top vent bought for my smoker, do you think I would need a intake vent towards the bottom to get flow or will there be sufficient flow if the mailbow is vented?

 

wolfman1955

Master of the Pit

Nov 17, 2013

1,054

47

Chillicothe, Ohio

• Nov 25, 2015

• #7

You want to have the same amount of air going into your smoker as you have coming out you so that you avoid stale smoke in the cook chamber.

 

Last edited: Nov 25, 2015

wolfman1955

Master of the Pit

Nov 17, 2013

1,054

47

Chillicothe, Ohio

• Nov 25, 2015

• #8

But if you pull to much air in thru your mailbox it will cause the pellets to flame instead of smolder. What I would do is put an adjustable air intake on the lower part of your box that is the same size as your exhaust out the top then you can regulate it so that you get the proper flow thru your mailbox for good smoke generation. 

 

madman mike

Smoking Fanatic

Feb 6, 2014

314

18

• Nov 26, 2015

• #9

your cooler is large enough you wont really ned a mailbox mod to cold smoke. The space is so large you can keep the temp down with decent airflow. Just keep the tray need the air intake.

you're ok with glass insulation. Though Roxul is preferred due to being a little denser and better flame resistance.

 

benjfire

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Original poster

Thread starter

Nov 23, 2015

8

10

• Dec 2, 2015

• #10

I have some wooden pieces for backing for the door and inside panels of this smoker. I'm assuming these will be alright to leave in there or should I replace with steel?

 

madman mike

Smoking Fanatic

Feb 6, 2014

314

18

• Dec 2, 2015

• #11

you could leave the wood, as long as its not too close to the heat source. make sure there is no wood near the element. if its has metal over it the walls and door will be fine. seal them up really well.

make sure there is no wood within several inches of the element, or under it. even if it has metal over it.

 

benjfire

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Nov 23, 2015

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• Dec 3, 2015

• #12

Thanks for the help, I have a couple more questions. Can I use the typical high temp rtv silicone from like Carquest, or does it have to be some kind of food grade stuff? Do you think I can use the existing magnetic strip door seal, or should I get something else? It doesn't seem much different from the door gasket on my Masterbuilt?

 

benjfire

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Nov 23, 2015

8

10

• Dec 3, 2015

• #13

benjfire said:

 
Thanks for the help, I have a couple more questions. Can I use the typical high temp rtv silicone from like Carquest, or does it have to be some kind of food grade stuff? Do you think I can use the existing magnetic strip door seal, or should I get something else? It doesn't seem much different from the door gasket on my Masterbuilt?

Click to expand...

From what I gather, looks like I might have to buy a silicon gasket and add a latch for the door?

 

wolfman1955

Master of the Pit

Nov 17, 2013

1,054

47

Chillicothe, Ohio

• Dec 3, 2015

• #14

benjfire said:

 

benjfire said:

 
Thanks for the help, I have a couple more questions. Can I use the typical high temp rtv silicone from like Carquest, or does it have to be some kind of food grade stuff? Do you think I can use the existing magnetic strip door seal, or should I get something else? It doesn't seem much different from the door gasket on my Masterbuilt?

Click to expand...

From what I gather, looks like I might have to buy a silicon gasket and add a latch for the door?

Click to expand...

In my opinion and in my smokers, I use the high temp silicone as long as it does not come in direct contact with food. As for the door gasket I would try the existing magnetic one to see if it works ok at sealing the cook chamber. What may happen is that the existing seal might not do well with heat.

Wolf!!!