an new build

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usandmikey

Newbie
Original poster
Nov 3, 2013
6
10
looking for a little advice,  I work at a salvage yard and happened upon a old commercial fridge between a couple old buildings its got double doors the overall dimensions ar 4ft x 6ft and between 2.5-3ft deep it has fiberglass insilation in it.

my questions are

1. do I have to remove the fiberglass insilation since were only looking at max 250 degrees

2. how do I determine how big of a chimney to put into it

im thinking of using a propane burner in the bottom and putting a smoke generator on it.  thinking that could give me options for hot or cold smoking

ill post some pics when I get it to the house here this week

any advice would be appreciated
 
Hello usandmikey .  Welcome.  I see this is your first post.  Please take some time and swing over to Roll Call and introduce yourself so that we may give you a proper "Hello".  All info you can provide us with such as smoker type, location and so on will help us answer any questions you may have.  As for your question:  I am sure someone will be along soon to help you out.  Good luck with the build.

Danny
 
Hello.  Are you SURE it's fiberglass?  Many commercial fridges have styrofoam which is blown on and really tuff to remove.  Next, if you can get to it burn test a piece ( hold it in an open flame ).  If it burns or shrivels up I'd replace it.  Third, I would not limit myself to 250.  You may want to go higher and you don't want to build that smoker twice.  In short , I'd say replace it with rockwool.  I mean nothing personal here.  I have read all your posts and you give no clue from those.  Do you have the skills and tools to work with stainless?  Cutting, drilling, everything you try to do is tuffer with stainless.  I'm not trying to rain on your parade; I just don't want you to get half way in and get discouraged.  I would love to see picts of this finished smoker and some GREAT Q-view of the good food you have shared with family and friends.  As for the size stack, search Feldon's calculator.  There is not "TRULY" a calculator for a fridge build.  I should think 2" would be MORE than enuff.  Below I will post a site for a burner ( if the powers that be will allow it ).  By me posting my ideas your post will be bumped up to the top of the home page and maybe others can offer advice. Hope it helps. Good luck.  Keep Smokin!

Danny

http://gassmoker.com/mini-v.htm
 
guess I should elaborate on my skills and ability's, I currently work for a auto salvage yard mainly inventory and counter sales, prior to that I was head of maint. for an assisted living complex covering most your plumbing electrical havac  ect.  and before that I worked as a service tech. working on compactors baler conveyor systems and truck docks,   required electrical, hydraulic and fabrication skills, welding and what not.  I have most tools to accomplish the build drills saws air tools welder grinder just about every thing i think i should need.  if I have need I have access to a tig machine.   I know for a fact the doors are fiberglass insulated the one that is off I opend it up to see what it had in it, I'm thinking the rest is the same I was able to pry the bottom open and it seems it the same, but wont know for sure till I open it up and start the tearing out the rest of the cooling stuff.

250 is just a number by no means a limit

Ive looked into rock wool just having trouble finding it around here I would prefer to just build it the right way the first time and I plan on using this for years to come,

  wanting to be able to do my own sausage, snack sticks and nothing beats a smoked pheasant.

thanks for the help and ill be posting pics as it progress not sure how much ill get done in the next week or two with deer sesson starting Friday
 
Hello.  As I said, I meant no disrespect.  You CERTAINLY have the skills and the tools.  When we get questions from new folks we just don't always know their skill set or their experience smoking.  Makes it a little tuff to offer advice.  You can't tell them to take their plasma arc and cut out, then get their tig machine, etc..  Then you find they can't weld. Reading your last post;  I'd find the rock wool.  Build it once.  If you are like me ( I over build everything, JUST IN CASE ) I would put 2- 2" intakes with dampers, a 3" stack with a damper, and a larger version burner than I posted before. This is OVERKILL in my opinion but easier to turn it down than re-build it.  North Dakota?  I'd think about leaving/installing a light in that smoker for winter months.  These are only my opinions based on some experience.  Good luck.  Keep Smokin!

Danny
 
nothing wrong with a little overkill, and i should have been alittle more clear on my experience to start with.
 
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