New Mini Smoker - it works!!!

[bikeman59]

I'm not sure if this is the smallest functioning smoker ever made, but it's got to be close. The smoke box is a 10 gallon tank and the fire box is a 5 gallon tank. Here's all the pictures, from build to seasoning to it's first smoke. Let me know what you think.





It all started with a good washing and burn.





Then came the layout. I'd never tried to connect two round objects before. Not as easy as it sounds.

















The welds look like crap. My MIG broke at the beginning of this project, so I broke out my old ARC, which I had no experience with. Things got better as a I went, but the welds are still ugly. Oh well - function before form.















After the initial burn it, it got a coat of BBQ paint.







Here's the first effort with the smoker - 2 - 9lb pork butts. I used a mustard coating and a mild all-spice rub. I didn't want to over power the pork flavor on the first smoke. I wanted to see what the lump & oak would provide.



It held the temp pretty well and more smokes will make it easier.





The mini sitting next to the Big Daddy.







I put the butts in at 7:30am, pulled them at 5:50 pm with meat temp at 190. I double wrapped the butts in foil and placed them in a ice chest with towels for 1.5 hours.







The final result was fantastic. Great pulled port sandwiches with cole slaw. I can't wait to do a brisket next weekend.

 

[northern greenhorn]

Cute little smoker, looks like it does a fine job smoking, nice build...

 

[rdknb]

for that the build and smoke look great well done

 

[graybeard]

Very interesting build! Congratulations is in order for sure.

beard

 

[bignick]

You have great skills. This one is the smallest....




Yours is actually funtional.

 

[mrblack947]

These things are multiplying lol.

Although mine ended up a smidge bigger then it was supposed to vs what my brain though it was gonna be.

Great job on the mini smoker.

 

[Bearcarver]

Great work !
Great pictures !
Nice Smoke !

Worth a few-------->>

Thanks for showing,
Bearcarver

 

[bustintires]

that looks great! ive got a dozen or so outdated tanks layin around, looks like a fun project. a buddy of mine is gettin married and that would make a great gift.

 

[roller]

Well now that is the way to do it...Build your own smoker and smoke butts in it all on the same post...

 

[abokol]

Nice build, congrats!

 

[silverwolf636]

That's a sweet little build ya did there.
Check your

in your User CP. This little build earned you some.
Great job.

--ray--
(0||||0)

 

[bikeman59]

Hey y'all - thanks for the great comments. It was a fun project. Took me about 5 weeks of evenings and weekends (when I had the time) to complete it.

It's nice to have the small pit for smoking small batches and save the big boy for larger amounts. It's also a little easier on fuel.

I've seen some small builds on here. I'll be anxious to see if some more of you make one yourself.

Enjoy!!!

 

[kaiser]

That's pretty awesome.

 

[timtimmay]

That's a great build! I'm sure anyone walking by seeing the two propane tanks in the fire were a little nervous.

 

[treegje]

nice smoker, excellent job
earned points

 

[sumosmoke]

Definitely a great rig to take on tailgating gigs. Awesome welding work done on your end.

 

[caveman]

Good build. Excellent pork n slaw!

 

[bikeman59]

I don't think anyone saw the tanks in the fire, but I did have a few pucker moments when I cut into them earlier. I did all the wash/rinse stuff and filled them full of water before I made the first cut, but there is always a moment of doubt.

I had asked my kids to take a picture of me making the cuts, but they all thought I was crazy and went into the house! Not much confidence in the old man......

 

[badfrog]

I agree with Roller; outstanding post... I love your work on the clam-shell firebox door - cool way to do it and you did it well! I like the vent door as well.
As far as the smoke goes - you absolutely can not argue with success...those butts look awesome!!

I would say you are on to something with your build...you took something (from a material standpoint) any of us could find for probably for nothing and converted it into an obviously very functional smoker... There might end up being a whole new category under "Smoker Builds" before too long.

I am going thru my mental inventory of "Stuff" sitting around that could be made into a smoker... I have this 14" diameter 30" long aluminum fuel tank (like something you would see on a rail buggy) "...Hmmm maybe the perfect cold smoker??"

Thanks for making me think!

 

[howufiga]

Very cool build!!!