New member wants to tap into your expertise!

[loren anderson]

Hi. Loren from Minnesota,what a great forum!!  I'm starting a build from a 2 door commercial and have been reading posts but to tell the truth, it overloads this old brain of mine!  Some things I understand but some questions also.

I believe I understand....

The interior is aluminum so it should be ok but the plastic door panels and seals will be replaced. The insulation is fiberglass so I think that's ok. The racks will need to be replaced so they don't poison me.

The questions I have...

1. I will use propane for heat as a hot smoker, Should I cut a hole in the bottom on the left side where the compressor was and mount the burner in there or simply set the burner on the bottom inside (right or left) and not bother cutting a hole?

583.jpg

• loren anderson
• Feb 16, 2017

2. Where and how big an air intake?

3. How big a vent- on the top or rear of smoker? Think a blower will be needed?

4. I read about dividing it in half, use one side for hot, one side for cold smoke. There is not a divider in it at this time. Thoughts?

Thanks for the help.

 

[tallbm]

Hi there and welcome!

I don't have a lot of guidance for you.

I think a blower/fan for circulating the hot air would help in keeping temps even all around the smoker, much like a convection oven.  I think I'm going to make that modification to my Masterbuilt Electric Smoker (MES) 40 soon because I want more even temps.

What is your fiberglass insulation rated at?  Also if you are running a flame you will need to be wary of burning it.

I don't know how aluminum stands up to heat, do you have any info on it's max operating temperature for the sheet aluminum being used in your build?

I'm asking these questions to understand a bit more about your build.  Can't wait to see what you come up with, best of luck! :)

 

[marctrees]

Both the aluminum and fiberglass insul is WAY more than adequate for smoker temps.

If you still have a question, put a sample of the questioned piece in your home oven and heat to it's highest temp, and you will see.

The other questions you really need to figure out yourself by reading a ton of past posts and using logic and common sense.

LOTS of experience and info here.

No simple answer, because alot of it is subjective w no firm finite black and white answer.

I assume you will be re lining the doors w metal sheeting - Either AL or galvanized is equally fine.

Where in MN ? I lived in various parts of the state for 45 yrs.       Marc

 

[marctrees]

Loren -   I requested  one of the Mod's to move this to the  "Smoker Builds" section of the Forum.

It will get much more attention there.         Marc

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome to SMF Loren!

Glad to have you join us!

If you post your questions in the fridge/freezer build section, I think you will get better responses.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/198/fridge-freezer-builds

Al

 

[loren anderson]

Hi Marc- I'm in Waconia, 25 miles west of Mpls.  Yes, I will line the doors with metal. Thanks for moving thread to the correct forum.

 

[ab canuck]

Hello and welcome to SMF from the Great white North  

. Browse the forums and ask lots of questions, get involved. There is a an amazing amount of info, recipes and knowledge here that are second to none. Enjoy good luck and share your experiences.  

 

[gary s]

  Good evening and welcome to the forum from a nice pleasant 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