Hello from WNC

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blair4547

Newbie
Original poster
May 29, 2014
6
10
Hey all. I'm a new member and live in the Asheville, NC area. I've viewed and followed threads on this site for quite a while now and finally became a member.

I've had several smokers and grills but for various reasons I haven't been totally satisfied with any of them. These units have been from the big box stores so I'm sure that you can understand my frustration with them.

I've been making my own fresh sausage for the past couple of years. I started making smoked sausages for about a year and a half. I'm getting ready to start making dried and semi dried this fall. Just waiting for the weather to get a bit cooler.

I'm getting ready to build my own smoker and that's what prompted me to join the group. I'm looking forward to the feedback from the more experienced folks amount you about design and construction.

Thanks for the opportunity to join. By the way you can just call me Blair.
 
Hey Blair, welcome to the site, lots of information on smoker building on here, have you decided what type your going with?

Gary S
 
All I have are the interior dimensions. I'd like it to be 23" wide by 20" deep x 48" high. It's going to be a dual function unit. I'm going to be using it for hot and cold smoking as well as aging the dry and semi dry sausage I'll be making during the cooler periods.

I picked the interior dimensions based on readily available oven racks. I'll be using them when I do the butts, ribs and other large pieces of meat. When I do stuff that needs to be hung up I' ll have 1 1/2" dowels.

I have to say, I've already learned a lot for you guys. I've been going by Meat Smoking and Smokehouse Design[/U] (Stanley, Adam and Robert Marianski). The don't talk about things like putting in an upper and lower vent. Or things like drilling holes for the rods into a two by four then cutting it in half. I've also come to the realization that it will have to be lined because of the size.

While I'm at it I've got my first question. Because some of the recipes that I'll be using go for as long as 2 weeks of cold smoking it'll have to be self regulating for a lot of the temperature control. I've been trying to find a cheap gas control valve with a pilot light (it'll be capable of gas and wood heat source). The valves seem to start at around $125. Then it dawned on me that I could find a used 30-50 gallon gas water heater. That way I'd have not only the valve but I'd be able to get the burner/pilot light assembly too. I've already found one for around $75.

I'd love hear what the more experienced builders here think.
 
Hello guys.I, m originally from texas but living in ct. my old homemade smoker is dead and we needed a new inexpensive one as we will be moving to Tn. in few years.just want to give a two thumbs up to the trailmaster vertical mod. thread.incredible almost overwhelming amt.of info.thanx much.ps.ive been smoking for 25 years plus but never to old to learn new things.
 
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