Home of the BrewNosers

I'm using an old Weber charcoal kettle, but I seem to remember someone using one of those big green eggs/etc. Since brewers are pretty much the most industrious and clever DIYers there are, I figured somebody on here has probably welded up some sort of amazing backyard cooking rig.

Currently I just make smoke pouches and use them on my Weber Genesis. My brother in law and I have been discussing plans to build a proper oil drum style smoker this summer for proper smoking.

I bought one of these earlier this spring. Relatively cheap so I can cut my teeth on it. When I wear the thing out in a year or two, I'll consider building/buying something more elaborate. I also have a propane grill.

and this:

mr x wrote:

and this:

Well, looks to me like we're having you over for the next pot-luck BBQ. LOL!

Here's my old girl:

I am building a little brown egg / flower pot smoker (20"), electric. I have most of it done and should be able to give it a test run in a couple of days.

Rasp wrote:I am building a little brown egg / flower pot smoker (20"), electric. I have most of it done and should be able to give it a test run in a couple of days.

Got any photos of the process?? Does this mean one of the terra cotta pot sort of rigs?

Neat. Want pics, and part sources if it works. need a little slow cooker for the cottage.

Ok, I guess I'll go snap some pics with my phone and upload em...

Here's a link to my Flickr set for the build: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nspeppers/ ... 649568300/

I decided to build it without a PID for temperature control, at least to see how well I can dial it in without one. The PID will add close to $100 after it's done. OK, I could do it for close to $50 with a Chinese PID and SSR. This will get me off the ground though.

Costs
------
Pot: $30
Burner: $20
Wire: $2
Gang box: $2.50
Box plate: $2.50
Cast iron: $20
Grill: free
Temp probe: $14

Cost to date: $91 (plus tax)

I still need to find a lid. I'd like to use a terra cotta saucer or something like it but I haven't found something to match in size. I'll use a large patio stone to lay on top to start. It's like 2 inches thick so it will hold temps very well. I should just chizel it into a circle and mount a couple of handles!

-Rob

Very neat.

That looks like an awesome project. I'll keep an eye on those pots at CT to see if I can nab some on a sale. Any idea if those glazed coloured ones will work?

moxie wrote:That looks like an awesome project. I'll keep an eye on those pots at CT to see if I can nab some on a sale. Any idea if those glazed coloured ones will work?

I've seen some other terra cotta pots at CT and HD, maybe 14 inch or so for $15-$20 I think. A smaller pot with an 8" cast iron (also walmart) should do fine.

Also, the painted / glazed pots work as well.

Found a pretty interesting build blog about this sort of thing: http://z12projects.blogspot.com/2010/07 ... e-egg.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This one uses charcoal, and he focuses a lot on dampening solutions. This one is quite involved but I like some of the ideas he applied to it. The butcher block is a nice touch.

I need to get myself one of these

Is there generally a preference on heat source? Charcoal, propane or electric? I am too lazy to build one, but looking for something relatively cheap that will do a decent job.

The Weber Smokey Mountain seems to have good reviews and goes for $330 at home depot but there are other cheaper, similar options, all of which use different heat sources.

Here are some I was looking at:

http://www.csnstores.com/Brinkmann-852- ... K1013.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.basspro.com/Brinkmann-Gourme ... 64/-392891" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.csnstores.com/Masterbuilt-M7P-MST1013.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.basspro.com/Masterbuilt-30-E ... 4/-1614760" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I hear great things about the WSM, plus the have an excellent support forum. HD might have had a 20% off deal too this week or next maybe. They are apparently matching Rona offers as well. I've become a pretty big convert to lump charcoal for the ceramic units that I run.

I'm sort of leaning towards this one, anyone with some knowledge of smoking know if this would be a decent smoker? It would be $277 to the door.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-E ... 4/-1430148" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jimmy wrote:I'm sort of leaning towards this one, anyone with some knowledge of smoking know if this would be a decent smoker? It would be $277 to the door.

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-E ... 4/-1430148" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Charcoal will always give you more flavour, some people like me will say better flavour - even if you don't add wood you'll still get a 'cooked over an open fire' sort of taste to the food but they require lots of attention compared to an electric or gas unit so I guess it depends on what you're looking for, definitely something to be said for 'set it and forget it' smokers, sort of wish I had one sometimes. Like right now as I run to the smoker to check the fire currently smoking a slab o pork belly

That looks like a pretty decent unit, maybe google for some more offsite reviews on it. FYI I ordered a cooker from Basspro once, got an email the next day saying they were sorry but couldn't ship that particular item to Canada so you might want to drop them an email first.

I'm pretty lazy and don't feel like tending to a charcoal smoker if I don't have to, that's why I was leaning toward the electronic.

I messaged bass pro and they said shipping here shouldn't be a problem, but she forwarded my question off to the international orders customer service. I should find out tomorrow, though I am still not sure what style I want.

I had a little boo around while I was waiting for my bacon to finish smoking since it took 10 hrs

It looks like the Masterbuilt ones have some issues with the electronics working when it gets down around 1 or 2C and they seem to have real crappy customer service which can mean a lot if ever needed. http://www.amazingribs.com/BBQ_buyers_g ... okers.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For an electric box smoker if you can afford a bit more the Bradley looks like the way to go, these guys have them quite a bit cheaper than crap tire http://www.lebaron.ca/pdf_files_sp11/br ... rtight.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; plus if you pay $25 for a 1 yr membership you'll get another 10% off. Pucks are a crappy downfall though


For el cheapos similar to the Brinkman you posted earlier these are supposed to be great for the money and have been built the same since 1953 or something:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200152274" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://cgi.ebay.ca/OLD-SMOKEY-Electric- ... 5d23f71fc2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A little more confusion for you....

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Vertical-BBQ-Electri ... 231060b045" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Master-BBQ-Electric- ... 3cb4b34b6b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bingo! Excellent reviews, great service, good price.

I want one.

http://www.smokin-it.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.amazon.com/Smokin-It-Model-1 ... 869&sr=1-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NASH wrote:Bingo! Excellent reviews, great service, good price.

I want one.

http://www.smokin-it.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.amazon.com/Smokin-It-Model-1 ... 869&sr=1-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Let me know if you're going to order one, maybe we can save on the shipping

Yeah their shipping to Canada is insane, like $300. I checked shipping to the US - $30 so a fella could have one shipped to the drop store in Calais for pickup. The guy might work out a reasonable actual shipping fee too if you call him. I want one but shouldn't.

Sent from the hop-phone.