Hello, Been lurking a long time. Starting smoking meat about 20 years ago on a cheap vertical charcoal smoker. Took a few years off while the kids were young. Started back up a few years ago, bought a cheap masterbuilt electric from Lowes, then another one to replace it a while back. Also play around with a side mount charcoal unit, but the thing is so drafty you can't maintain temp at all, so it now serves as a grill.
The reason I say thanks in the heading is because of all you fine people I am now in the process of building a smoke house with a dedicated outdoor man cave area. I have read many, many threads on builds that members have done. Props to Pops as my smoker will look a lot like his when complete.
The smoke house will be a vertical, propane fired, insulated, fire proofed, pilot lit, thermal-coupled, hardwood interior, cedar exterior, smoke beltching beast.
I live in central Maryland, married to the same wonderful woman for 17 years. Have three daughters, 14,11 and 9, two of which are helping with the build. I could smoke a pork shoulder every week and it still wouldn't be often enough for these lady's.
I'll make my first question an easy one. I want to build a cabinet to go beside my smoke house. This will be where the propane tank lives, along with room for storage. I would like to make the top of this cabinet a food prep area. What material would be good to use as a countertop if it's going to be exposed to weather? I'll also want it washable as it will probably be used for pre and post smoke. There will be a roof over everything, but rain and snow will likely blow in sometimes.
This is the start of the shelter.
Phil
IMG]http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/content/type/61/id/425945/width/200/height/400[/IMG]
The reason I say thanks in the heading is because of all you fine people I am now in the process of building a smoke house with a dedicated outdoor man cave area. I have read many, many threads on builds that members have done. Props to Pops as my smoker will look a lot like his when complete.
The smoke house will be a vertical, propane fired, insulated, fire proofed, pilot lit, thermal-coupled, hardwood interior, cedar exterior, smoke beltching beast.
I live in central Maryland, married to the same wonderful woman for 17 years. Have three daughters, 14,11 and 9, two of which are helping with the build. I could smoke a pork shoulder every week and it still wouldn't be often enough for these lady's.
I'll make my first question an easy one. I want to build a cabinet to go beside my smoke house. This will be where the propane tank lives, along with room for storage. I would like to make the top of this cabinet a food prep area. What material would be good to use as a countertop if it's going to be exposed to weather? I'll also want it washable as it will probably be used for pre and post smoke. There will be a roof over everything, but rain and snow will likely blow in sometimes.
This is the start of the shelter.
Phil
IMG]http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/content/type/61/id/425945/width/200/height/400[/IMG]