Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi all,

I came across this link which shows how to use a metal rubbish bin as a smoker.

It is an American site so take that into consideration when looking at costs and cooking temps.

http://www.cruftbox.com/cruft/docs/elecsmoker.html

You could use any heat source to make the smoke from methylated spirits in a dish to say 4 heat beads in a dish or a little gas cooker like you get at the supermarket for $20.

By making a door in the side of the bin you could adjust the temp or add new chips without taking the top off and moving the meat/fish etc.

SOmeone build one and I'll come and check your results

I got some hickory from Aldi the other day for about $7 which I use in my Weber charcoal go anywhere

I saw this recently and thought it was a great idea, and pretty easy too. It will be a project for later in the year.

This is a great, cheap and easy way to make a smoker. I reckon that I would give the trash can a good burn first to get rid of any nasties that might gas off from the gal coating and then oil it and burn again to make a protective layer. What do you guys think - would you be concerned at all about the gal?

I would not worry about the gal the smoke will produce a thick layer of protection in short order.

I built my wood fired smoker out of the old gas fired furnace from my house after I replaced it with an energy efficient one. The first step in that project was to remove all the gaskets that were made from asbestos. Very carefully removed those nasties. Then I robbed some racks from some old ovens and installed them. Fashioned a door, and water/drip pan (the above plans did not have but it is necessary to keep moisture in your meat) Built a concrete block pit beside the air return opening. And it worked somewhat ok, I was not getting enough heat however. So I dug a larger pit where the blocks were. It is big so I don't use it but maybe 4 times a year. Can smoke around 8 turkeys at a time. I use apple and cherry wood from a friends orchard they always have some available. Hickory is abundant here also so plenty of fuel on hand.
Love to smoke my meat

Thanks for the link trentski,

I'm going to be looking at doing something about a smoker this winter, However I want see if I can go down the line of the cold smoker.. It apparently takes a bit longer but the meat can be kept longer.

Still doing my research though..

H.

BBQ's galore has a 'Texas Smoker' on sale for $399 at the moment. I'm awefully tempted to get one!

There are heaps of Fish smoker available from about $40 for Metho burner type probaly get even cheaper than that.
Mine is about 20years old I think cost about $10 from an army disposal store. ( lost the metho burner ages ago and just throw some hot coals under it still works fine)
Here is an eg. of a collapsable one $49.
http://www.campbellsprotackle.com/store ... sp?ID=1479

Cheers

a friend has one of those and he uses it all the time. we'll have to borrow it soon