Freezer Conversion Smoker

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

mulepackin

Master of the Pit
Original poster
OTBS Member
SMF Premier Member
Dec 27, 2007
1,328
13
Central Montana
Thought I'd share some pics of my smoker since I'm new, and finally seem to have gotten the hang of digitization. This is an old 18 cu ft. freezer. All freon was properly sucked out. Then all the compressor, condensor, coils, etc. removed. I also removed all of the plastic elements inside the unit (it is a porcelain on steel liner) the plastic trim and plastic door shelving. The plastic trim was replaced with galv. flashing tin, as was the door liner. I left the magnetic seal in place, as it worked well for over 15 years on my older refer version of this. The heating element is a Brinkman conversion unit which puts out 1650 watts as I recall. I used an old Lil Chief I had laying around as my smoke generator. 3 in. duct into the side of the smoker, a paint bucket from the hardware store to hold plenty of chips/dust, and an electric charcoal lighter to ignite them. I used 2 in. angle for my shelves only because the steel supplier messed up my order. I intended to use 1 in.angle which would have been just fine. #9 raised expanded metal make up my shelves, and standard 3/4 in. dowels for smoke sticks. Future additions include a Tstat from Allied-Kenco (just came last night), and capillary tube thermometer, might get some metal edges on the shelves as they are pretty jagged and sharp. I'm also planning on adding a computer fan to move air and smoke to help reduce dead/cold spots (see my question post in the elec. smoker section).
ca9cae2e_vbattach16421.jpg

b632a13e_vbattach16420.jpg

cef171e8_vbattach16419.jpg

d77c42e4_vbattach16418.jpg

4bde3d13_vbattach16417.jpg
 
Mule, that's one nice looking cooker!! I've got a fridge in my garage that I want to convert to a cooker.
 
That is one sweet setup, Mule. What I really like about it is the seperate smoke generator. Just run the smoke generator by it's self and you have one heck of a cold smoker. Just remember to properly cure the meat before hand.
 
Looks like you're on top of your game with that project, congrats!
 
Mule have you considered buying one of those humidfiers for babies rooms and controling the humidity for the long term dry smoking..?? I saw one on the old smoke ring sausage forum one time..He bought the humidity controller from a nursery supply..
 
It's a biggun!
If you use a computer fan make sure you set it up as a "pusher", not a "puller". They won't last long pulling smoke through them, they gum up and lock up. Then you have a batch of smoked whatever that smells and tastes like burned electrical insulation right after the motor burns up.
Go ahead, ask me how I know.
icon_redface.gif
icon_rolleyes.gif
PDT_Armataz_01_06.gif
 
Newbie here. I found these boards after a search for how to convert my old upright freezer into a smoker. Those are great photos. I don;t think mine will be that elaborate. I plan to drill the "draw" hole near the bottom. I'll run the cord for the hotplate thru that hole. And then a simple hole on top. The freezer has metal racks already in place.

I'll let ya'll know how it goes and mabey I can teach myself to post pics.

I've been a professional chef for almost 20 years and had no idea smoking (foods-meats) was so popular. This isn't the only message board dedicated to smoking and I was suprised how many are out there.
 
First, welcome aboard mule! That's an awesome project ya got going!

Fish, looks like you have a good project going as well. Welcome to you too. Yeah, there's a lot of sites out there for smoking, but you'll find no arguement in here that this forum is the best! I'm no pro chef by any stretch of anyone's imagination, but from just reading the posts in here and asking questions only newbies can ask, one year later and I have people asking me to sell them some prepared whatever (mostly pulled pork).
 
How does that thing smoke in the winter? I have been planning to do a freezer conversion smoker next year. I live in Western Oregon and there is tons of rain, cold and sometimes snow. So anything insulated would be perfect.

Would love to read some updated version with those fans. I have plenty of good friends and family who are electronic gurus that should be able to jimmy rig anything for a fridge smoker I needed.

That thing looks like my dream. Thanks for a great starting point.
 
mule,
i made a cold smoker just like yours but left the refrigeration in tact so i could do a nice cold smoke it kept foods around 42 to 65 on hot redding, ca days. I didnt plave the exra element in my box. If i wanted a hot smoke I closed the flu on the side of the frige and moved the heating element and wood chips inside the frige on the bottom. I sold the unit since i moved from redding, ca and am building another. i think im gonna make a couple of changes after seeing yours.
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky