Hello All!

[TexasMuskrat]

Hello all my name is Shawn and I am from Boise, Idaho. I have done some smoking on little chiefs and threw some wood on a bbq grill, but never any serious smoking. I currently do not have a smoker. The plan is to build a DIY smoker. I decided to join the forum due to all the information I have been gathering from it. I had an old little chief a couple years ago I had got from a yard sale. Well long story short I sold it due to thinking we were moving a long ways away. As it was my wife before that had never had smoked trout so while I had it I did a lot of trout on the sucker. It would take like 8 hours to smoke a whole load of fish filets due to the unit being older.

So now onto my DIY project. I am planning on doing a cheap build with a trashcan or something similar in the same price range for now. (I have done a ton of research so please do not bash the idea. and I can't afford something more right now.) I decided the fuel source i want is charcoal. Due to this I went to the thrift store with my wife last night and found a nice picnic table top round hibachi for five dollars. I plan to cut a door, hinge it, latch it, and use BBQ gasket on it so secure the air leak. I will then cut 4 2" air holes in the base of the can and 2 in the lid, of course close-able. To close the holes and regulate air flow I plan to use some small bolts with strong small springs, the gasket, and steel soup can lids. 

I plan to use a metal pizza pan, the kind with holes, as a heat shield just above the hibachi. I will install a grate and some dowels towards the top of the can. The dowels I want to be removable and will plug off those holes to maintain the air control using small pieces of dowels. I will have a temp gauge and will use High heat Velcro to hold the water heater insulation in place.

So far that is my plans. Please be kind.

I plan to have it built by middle of next month. will post pics. Any advise would be cool.

Thank you,

   Shawn

(Since writing this post I have done research and found some barrels for cheaper then the trashcans and now my build will be a UDS. I am currently gathering the materials and supplies before I get the barrel and start building.)

 

[TexasMuskrat]

I do have a few things to ask and add.

First I was wondering if I should do a water dish in the DIY smoker to keep the temp down? read this somewhere...

I was also wondering if lump coal was hotter or cooler then regular charcoal (haven't really found this answer yet)

Also the thing I wanted to add, My wife and I are unable to eat shellfish or pork so it will be mainly fish, chicken, beef with the occasional fowl. Just wanted to add that due to thinking it important myself. Also should I use a regular kitchen meat thermostat for the lid of my smoker? or is there a special one?

 

[driedstick]

Welcome Neighbor (Lewiston, ID) you are going to love this place,,, Best place to get some awesome help from awesome people, 

Can't wait to see your build,, I have a old 1930's fridge I built into a smoker and love it!! also the MES 30 

Good luck and let us know how it's going 

A full smoker is a happy smoker 

DS
 

 

[TexasMuskrat]

Thank you! I was up towards that way last week, was on the clear water :) bet you know what I was doing.

Can't wait til I get all my supplies together.

 

[driedstick]

Very Nice,,, Yep they are catching them like crazy,,,, 

Also if you find another old Little or big chief smoker at a yard sale,, get it take out the element and put in a adjustable hot plate,, there are lot of folks on here that does it and works great for them,,, little more better control of the temps 

DS
 

 

[SmokinAl]

  to SMF!!

Glad to have you with us!

Al

 

[gary s]

  Good afternoon and welcome to the forum, from a partly sunny and warm  day here in East Texas, and the best site on the web. Lots of great people with tons of information on just about  everything.  

Gary