How to make a homemade smoker
Smoking meat, fish and vegetables is a new experience compared to the fun and thrill of enjoying barbecue food. The major difference is that smoking is done at low temperatures and generally takes several hours to get ready. Due to this smoking food requires a very good constant temperature control and an equally very good understanding on how long each type of food choice takes to cook in smoker. If you love smoked food and don’t have a budget to buy a smoker, well, this article on how to make a homemade smoker is just right for you.
For beginners, the best option for a smoker at home would be to build one instead of investing heavily in a larger one. The flower pot smoker is among the easiest to build because components are relatively easy to source and the expertise needed is not much. Moreover the cost of building one is quite low. Before you start you will require the tools and accessories listed below. Once you have all that is required just follow the procedure mentioned below on how to make a homemade smoker.
Tools
- Drill machine with a ¼” and 3/8”concrete drill bits.
- Screw drivers and a wire splicer.
Accessories
- A terracotta or earthen flower pot. The size of the pot is of course for the builder to decide. Generally, 18”pot should be good for beginner to start with.
- A cover for the pot. That should ideally be a bowl that fits on the pot overturned. If a bowl is hard to find try the drain bowl that come with the flower pot at the same nursery or garden store. They usually fit nicely. Also try and buy pot holder with a metal stand.
- Heating element. This will create the heat. Check the dimensions of the element before you buy it. It has to fit at the bottom of the pot. The best option is to buy a single stove hot plate with an element of suitable size and then dismantle it because you get the thermostat and the temperature controller with it.
- A vessel for the wood chips. The best option is to look for a cast iron pie pan instead of buying a skillet and cutting of the handles. Avoid laminated, galvanized and zinc coated metal at all costs for any and all the accessories.
- Grill Grate. There is wide variety of grill grates available as replacement accessories. If you cannot find one at your local store, try ordering on line. The grate however has to fit inside the pot.
- You will need a suitable grill thermometer that can be fitted on the lid of the smoker and this could again be hard to find at a local store so try ordering on line. Here is an example of a suitable thermometer:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Barbecue-BBQ-Pit-Smoker-Grill-Thermometer-Temp-Gauge-/171142174760
- Wood chips. Different wood chips give out a different smoky aroma to the food. The choice of wood chips is a matter of personal opinion as it varies from the food choice that is being smoked.
- Handle for the lid. You can either use an old gate handle or knob of some sort that will have to be fixed on to the lid of the smokers using screws.
- The foil will come in handy to line the bottom of the smoker as well as the lid.
Method and Procedure on how to make a homemade smoker:
- Dismantle the hot plate to separate the heating element by carefully disconnecting the wires from the base.
- If the pot has a drain hole, line the base with a piece of foil and reconnect the wires to the terminals on the base plate with the heating element inside the pot. In case there is no hole, drill one using a concrete bit.
- If the element is lopsided use a brick or pieces of metal to level the plate.
- Keep the pan meant for the wood chips on the element with the chips in it.
- Place the hot plate base on the pot holder stand, preferably on some bricks for more elevation.
- Place the grate in the pot.
- Drill holes as are necessary in the pot to fix the handle and the thermostat.
- Fix the handle and the thermostat on the lid.
Your home made smoker is ready to go. If you liked this post on how to make a homemade smoker, please share with your friends!
Featured image source: http://www.instructables.com/file/F6XOIJSG4PC3GII
