1950-60's comercial freezer build

[dasbear]

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• dasbear
• Mar 27, 2013

Interior box

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• dasbear
• Mar 27, 2013

Hardware in need of a good soaking

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• dasbear
• Mar 27, 2013

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• dasbear
• Mar 27, 2013

Glad I decided to replace the insulation the cork 2x4 blocks are

soaked too

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• dasbear
• Mar 27, 2013

After all the searchs I've done on frig/freezer smoker mods how in the world did I miss this place? Ive been reading here for the last 5 hours at least so I had to join the group.

To start off a close friend and I have been discussing smokers for months I just was not satisfied with anything on the market or the syco prices they were asking. There was a 40" electric w/ glass front that looked interesting but not for 500 bucks. I had decided That a home built frige type smoker might be the way to go. Well my buddy called last week and said he found my smoker and pics are on the way.

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• dasbear
• Feb 25, 2013

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• dasbear
• Feb 25, 2013

Its all stainless steel and compressor/lines removed the hole in the back is a light socket. I will have to find racks, elec element and temp controls for it from local appliance recycler or possibly new PID? Im in the planning stages now as the freezer wont arrive for 2-3 weeks. There are so many CLASSY builds on here I dont know where to start. 

 

[dasbear]

Oh by the way it was FREE.

 

[stovebolt]

 Dasbear, that's one fine looking box you have there. Stainless steel is my Kryptonite, makes me weak in the knees. I love that stuff. I have a SS freezer box that I got for the same purpose but then my daughter and SIL bought me an MES40 so my build is on the back burner because I don't need it now.

Welcome to the forum and I will be watching your progress.

Chuck

 

[scootermagoo]

That is sweet!  I can't wait to see the progress.  Love the stainless!

 

[brad455]

Sweet stainless steel..so nice looking foward to your build

 

[dward51]

That's going to make a very nice smoker.   Do you know what sort of insulation is inside of the walls?

 

[dasbear]

I do not know what kind of insulation is in it or the condition of the insulation. I can only hope that its not full of mice/vermin or that the shell has leaks as it has been outside for a couple of years. Judging from the looks I think it was covered with a tarp but I will know more when it arrives.

 

[dasbear]

OK I've got some questions concerning design details. I believe this freezer is about 15-16 sq ft and I would like to use 110v for heat, smoke, acc.light and possibly an auger feed system is this doable? I was concidering a element from an oven would I be commited to 220v at that point or can I heat this much area with a brinkman style 110v element? 

I am planning on useing a PID controler for temp to 50-250+ deg, 60w lt above door, sm drill w/auger bit on timer to feed chips from hopper OR a smoke generator on exterior. I would wire a dedicated 20A breaker off my garage for the smoker power outlet.

Please tell me what you think or what your experience has been concerning any of the details above.

 

[daveomak]

Dasbear, morning and welcome to the forum.....   I would be suspicious about that smoker....  because it has a light socket in it, it may have been used to store welding rod.....   Clean it really well.....  Other that that, what a great score...   For smoke generating, the AMNPS will work very well..... Many folks on the forum use it.....  AMAZIN

Please take a moment and stop into "  Roll Call  " for a proper introduction from our members.....    and please put your location in your profile.. It will come in handy when answering questions in the future about smoking.....  

Dave

 

[dasbear]

DaveOmak, Thanks for Howdy. The light socket was original as described by my friend from the style of the scution he believed.

 

[woodcutter]

OK I've got some questions concerning design details. I believe this freezer is about 15-16 sq ft and I would like to use 110v for heat, smoke, acc.light and possibly an auger feed system is this doable? I was concidering a element from an oven would I be commited to 220v at that point or can I heat this much area with a brinkman style 110v element? 

I am planning on useing a PID controler for temp to 50-250+ deg, 60w lt above door, sm drill w/auger bit on timer to feed chips from hopper OR a smoke generator on exterior. I would wire a dedicated 20A breaker off my garage for the smoker power outlet.

Please tell me what you think or what your experience has been concerning any of the details above.

I tried a 110v element and couldn't the temp higher than 150. I found a 8" 220v element that has a double coil. I have had my smoker up to 375 and climbing. I use the element for heat sometimes with a AMNPS or set a cast iron frying pan for small hunks of wood.

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• woodcutter
• Nov 27, 2012

  

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• woodcutter
• Feb 23, 2013

I cut a hole in a piece of 3/16" flat steel that slides into shelf brackets. I learned the hard way you that you need to buy high temp oven wire. Hope this helps.

 

[dasbear]

woodcutter are your using a 220v element on 110v or on 220v?

 

[woodcutter]

220v, I believe it is 2000 or 2100 watts. I have a standard stove switch to control it. In the summer I get temp spikes if I have too much wood in it and it starts on fire. Never happens in the winter. In the summer I use the element for heat and use the AMNPS for smoke. Using a PID is a much better option.

 

[dasbear]

I just heard back from my friend who measured the freezer so it turns out this is only 12 sq ft  on the inside 17"Dx 27"Wx 44"H. So I'm still doing research on a 110v element controled through a PID which pid I'm not sure yet??? has anyone else like woodcutter set up a smoker this size with 110v and whats the highest temp reached? If 200-220 is all I can get maybe adding a can of briquets to the smoker when higher temps are needed will work?

 

[dasbear]

Got a surprise call on saturday morning my friend was on his way to Cabelas in tulalip and had the freezer in his truck to drop off at my house. I got kind of excited after a 3 week wait so I decided to meet him at cabelas on my way into work instead. After giving it a good look over I think I will be removing the inside to replace insulation and complete the refridgerant tubing removal and any wiring still in place beside I like the idea of knowing for sure that everything is in great shape after its all done.

Heres whats on my list so far.

1) remove the 4" black metal base from bottom this will lower top to just at 5 ft.

2) replace insulation

3) replace fiber board gasket with metal flashing then add 1" stove rope

Racks- exspanded metal or 27" stove racks??

PID- I really like the idea of programing a cooking sequence so whats out there for <$100. w/2 probes  and heat will be 1500w brinkman burner???

 

[dasbear]

With all the sun and warm day I couldn't stay away from the smoker project so off comes the door, hardware, wires, 104 ss screws later I have the inner box out then all the insulation. Im sure glad I got that fiberglass insul out as some of it was pretty wet. I have been looking at alot of PID's but still cant decide I really like the duel probe Aubins unit w/ programming but would like to put one together myself if I can find one ANY suggestions?

Oh and yes I did take pics and will try to get them up soon.

 

[papa chops]

I've just been using the 550w burner in mine and it gets over 200 deg. After opening the door and losing heat I crank up the 1100w burner just to quickly bring up the temp then shut it back off. With both on I got up to 375 before I shut it off just because I had to get to work

 

[papa chops]

Sweet score on the box! That's gonna be a beauty! 

 

[ballagh]

Very nice. I have the same build going on. Expect mine is a double door. My exterior is stainless but the inner box is aluminum. I am yanking it out and replacing it with 14 gauge steel. I am doing a smoker daddy pellet pooper and magnum P.I.G. smoke generator. I am making my new inner box cone out just about flush with the outer box so I don't have to put trim pieces. My insulation is fiberglass and in good shape. I will make a post tomorrow and we can bounce ideas off one another.

Sent from my LT30at using Tapatalk 2

 

[dasbear]

papachops what is the sq.ft area of your fridge? Mine is about 12 sq.ft.