Need help with cardboard smoker

[jrapps]

So we are going to a vacation cabin in the mountains with friends over the summer in NC and I've been asked to smoke ribs one night but bringing a smoker up there with me is not an option.

After scouring the Web I think the cardboard vertical smoker is the way to go to "build" a cheap temporary smoker.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Cardboard-Smoker/

Anyone have any experience with one of these? I'm trying to decide if I should use an electric hot plate or a portable propane grill as the heat source

Mainstays Single Burner

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Single-Burner/53264468

Or

Char-Broil Table Top Gas Grill

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Char-Broil-Table-Top-Gas-Grill/16422835

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[dirtsailor2003]

For ribs tou will need a better solution than cardboard.

Unless you are planning an hour or so of smoke with no heat.

The cardboard box smokers are typically only for cold smoking, not hot, which is what you need for ribs.

 

[JckDanls 07]

I'm not feeling it ... ribs = 6 hrs at 225... thinking that box will be ashes by then.. just me...

I have mcgyver'd an aluminum foil smoker... 4 long (3 feet or so) stakes.. staked out for a 2' square box.. wrap the foil around the outside of the stakes (double thick,double wide).... throw dirt around the bottom of the foil to seal it up... leaving a corner open for air... you will need something for grates tho... a grate on top of some 2' tall stakes... when ready for cooking seal over the top (a cover) with more foil ...making an exhaust vent in it somewhere... Thinking the hot plate will need some modifying to get that high.. the thermal protector will probably have to be bypassed...

Hopefully this will get the ball turning in coming up with something ...

 

[jrapps]

I was planning on lining the inside of the box with heavy duty foil for better heat retention and fireproofing. I'll have to think about the stake idea as well.

I scavenged an old propane burner from an old "broken" smoker I forgot about in the back of the garage. I may tinker this weekend with a prototype to see if I can get temperature to hold and see if the box will or won't work before the trip.