thinkin about building a new wood smoker.

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duck killer 1

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
SMF Premier Member
Nov 22, 2009
387
13
Rolla, MO
i've been thinking about building a wood smoker but i don't really know which kind i wanna build, IE. upright or horizontal, offset... need some input and or links to plans etc.
thanks in advance!
DK
 
Questions you gotta ask is how much do you want to spend; what do you like about the horizontal offsets-what don't you like about them, what do you like about the uprights-what don't you like them. Weigh the pros and cons and go from there. And are you ready for the learning curve that each of them require? They will be different.

Also check out the different builds and see what's involved.

Let us know what you decide to do and post pic's of your build cuz we like to watch!!
 
Just a couple of thoughts:
Uprights obviously make more efficient use of fuel than offsets, since the heat occurs directly below the food. However - uprights are often less convenient to tend, and often less versatile, than offsets.

So whatever decision you make ought take those factors into account. Being that you are designing your own, if you opt for the upright you can potentially design it such that it's very convenient to tend.

However you go, take the time to get it right for yourself... and enjoy the process!
 
My first build was a reverse flow. Works like a champ. However, it is not practical for what I will be smoking lots of, and that's sausage. That is where my current project is, a 1950 fridge conversion, made mostly for sausage and snack sticks, though certainly not limited to them. Will also do whole Turkeys and Chickens in it as well. My horizontal works great for things such as brisket and ribs. Even though one could make a vertical wood burner, the fridge I am working on will be charcoal, simply because the firebox will be directly under it and I can expect to get 12 plus hours of burn time on one load without tending to it like I must with my horizontal stick burner.

The only answer to your situation is to build one of each
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. Besides, it would be fun....

Either way, be sure to ask questions along the way and learn what has worked and what has not worked from the members here. I spent a good month if not two asking questions and making sure I understood how to go about it. I promise you, asking questions and learning the small tips and tricks will shave lots of time off the build, not to mention maximizing the smokers potential. Good luck, and post your builds progress in detail.
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Are you by any chance meaning cold smoking??

Traeger does make an extension for your rig for cold smoking or at least they used to.
 
well i'm not really interested in cold smoking...yet;) i would like to prolly start with a horizontal and build others later. i have lots of hickory on my property and the neighbor has some sassafras (i'm sure i spelled that wrong) and i want to use some of that up and not have to buy pellets all the time. i'm wondering if anyone has posted plans or sketches online for others to get ideas from. i was also wondering if the 5 day course covers different types of smokers and operation.
 
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