Krackers budget smoker ideas

[Kc_Kracker]

not all are ones i built some are, just giving people ideas and options, a GREAT smoker doesnt have t be a $500 investment 

[buglebuster]

Hey kracker what do you think about using an old wood gun cabinet for a smoker?

[Special T]

What do you think are the most important attributes for a smoker? We are lookin gat making a BIG one for our archery club Silver Arrow Bowman... We were kinda thinking 4'x4'x8' tall I have some industrial refer panels Steel with expanded foam and 2x4 inside the steel and a walk in Freezer door. I was kinda thinking  a wood fired one with a seperate smoker box and a place to hang LOTS of meat... What are your thoughts KC?

[Kc_Kracker]

im for any smoker, just always take into account 2 things

what will you be smoking?
heat range needed versus construction

if its something like poultry where you need high heat then you dont want wood enclosure DOWN LOW because they require high heat and youll have a fire, same answer for using propane of wood fired unless its on a cement firebox 

[Kc_Kracker]

What do you think are the most important attributes for a smoker? We are lookin gat making a BIG one for our archery club Silver Arrow Bowman... We were kinda thinking 4'x4'x8' tall I have some industrial refer panels Steel with expanded foam and 2x4 inside the steel and a walk in Freezer door. I was kinda thinking  a wood fired one with a seperate smoker box and a place to hang LOTS of meat... What are your thoughts KC?

same answer as above, sounds good just dont have any plastic or foam inside the heat / fire box , or foam in the smoke box, anywhere, it will melt and make toxic fumes at a low heat

[Kc_Kracker]

for those asking where it went... 

[Bshiftbc]

Thanks Kracker...was actually looking for it the other day!

[xd2005]

Recommend avoiding galvanized containers (such as some garbage cans) for the hot box.

[xd2005]

I've also seen to avoid metal refrigerator shelves as they are (or were) made of cadmium

[xd2005]

One interesting one I've seen was one built by Alton Brown on Good Eats. It's basically built out of two clay pots. Simple google search for "good eats smoker" gives plenty of results.

I built a big wood one a couple years back (never use it). Trying to find pics of it...

[Kc_Kracker]

I've also seen to avoid metal refrigerator shelves as they are (or were) made of cadmium

yes true the old fridge wire racks had cadmium coating. its not a concern smoking but if you use it for a fire grill or a really hot UDS then it is, good point xd! thats why for hot smokers i use ones from a oven

[Kc_Kracker]

Hey kracker what do you think about using an old wood gun cabinet for a smoker?

if its got a varnish/polyurethane finish inside i wouldnt use it

[kisfish]

Kc,
Someone just donated a nice propane smoker to me. I have been reading up on smoking salmon. Do you use a wet or dry brine? What temp and how long do you smoke yours for. Thanks

[Blacklab]

I wet brine mine 

[Kc_Kracker]

its all personaly taste. i do wet brines, every time i do a dry brine it get dry food. im not big on dry salt brines it takes some work to get it down and alotta lost food