A Big Hello From England!

[uksmoker]

A Big Hello from England!  This forum has really inspired me to take up smoking and curing at home.

My aim is to spend as little as possible on equipment, so I can afford to buy the best possible fresh local ingredients.  My first step has been to build a DIY hot smoker from a plastic garden tool store, lined with celotex insulation.  The heat comes from a 1500W electric hob with a cast iron pan for the wood chips.  There's a four inch chimney on top with a crude damper, and some air inlet holes below.  First attempts have been pretty encouraging but more by luck than judgement, so I'm in the process of building a PID controller - stand by for a separate post about the output current, which is driving me mad!

Looking forward to learning even more from you guys, and sharing some ideas and inspiration from the UK.

Thanks!

uksmoker

 

[fpnmf]

Welcome..

This site has tons of info.

I suggest you spend some time reading all the different forums and the WIKIs.

Ask questions and use the handy dandy search tool for specific interests!!

Take the awesome free E-Course!!!

Have a great day!!!

Craig

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/wiki/about-jeffs-5-day-ecourse

      Make bacon the easy way!!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/109368/more-easy-made-bacon-with-q-view#post_666451

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forum/thread/82034/how-to-post-qview-to-smf

 

[DanMcG]

Welcome to the forums, I'd like to see a pic of the smoker, I've never heard of a hot smoker made out of plastic.

 

[uksmoker]

Hi Dan - thanks for the welcome!

I chose the plastic shell because it was cheap, light, compact, rustproof and weatherproof.  UK spec, in other words!

The celotex cost me a few pounds (an old sheet that had been returned to the builders merchants from site) - and because it is 80mm thick (3+ inches) it insulates really well.  I used silver foil tape to stick it together and line the exposed edges.  The runners for the shelves are aluminium channel.  All the cutting was done on my sawbench - celotex is really easy to cut accurately but it makes a lot of dust so best done outdoors and wearing a mask!

 

[graystratcat]

I remember back in my earlier days when I worked construction... celotex was a fiber based sheathing product (4' x 8' sheets) that was impregnated with some type of asphalt.  Might that be the same thing you mention above?  Not sure if celotex might be something different in the UK.

-Salt

 

[uksmoker]

Hi GSC

The celotex I used is a rigid yellow foam, covered with foil paper - a bit like this:

http://www.insulationexpress.co.uk/Insulation-Boards/Celotex-GA4000-Insulation-Board.htm

 

[SmokinAl]

  Glad to have you with us!

 

[ecto1]

Welcome to SMF glad you can join us.  We are big on Pics and love to help everyone out.  Remember the only question that is dumb is one not asked.  You will not find a friendlier place to talk Que on the web.

You are going to fit in just fine.

 

[graystratcat]

Hey uksmoker, glad to see that the 'celotex' you're going to use is different than the stuff I remember... the stuff I was thinking about would make for a nasty and dangerous smoker....Bob's your uncle!

Cheers!

-Salt

 

[scarbelly]

Welcome to SMF - What an interesting smoker . Looking forward to following your progress 

 

[jno51]

If there is a will, there is a way, very creative.

 Aboard and it

 

[papagreer]

Neat looking smoker and a clever way to build one. Look forward to  your future pics.

Chris

 

[venture]

Welcome aboard!

I guess we will need a new forum for plastic smokers?

Very creative.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[texas bbq]

here

 

[sprky]

 to SMF. You have come to the right place for smoking info. This site is loaded with great info just use the search bar at top of page to find what you are looking for. If you can't locate the answer just ask folks here are willing to share there knowledge. I suggest you take  the 5 day e-course on smoking its chuck full of great info.Smoking Basics 5-Day eCourse

That's a one of a kind smoker I'll bet. but hey if it works great. necessity is the the mother of invention. looks good

 

[papa g]

Welcome aboard...you will pick up a lot of tips for your smoking.

enjoy!

 

[hoity toit]

Welcome ! As you browse around the Forum think you will find the information and "secrets" of some of the best

smoking chefs (amateur and professional),lots of great recipes, and just good ol plain folks who you feel like

you have known all your life. Everyone likes to see the pictures and the play by play !   If you are looking

for advice or criticism, just ask....everyone here is here to enjoy their passion for smoking and cooking and

making new friends.

Good Smokin,

Dexter G./ aka Hoity Toit

 

[africanmeat]