My smokehouse build

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Looking real good! Now that you have some smoke time in on it what would you change about the build?  Planning our smoker build and will be stealing some of your thoughts if that's ok?

[92xj]

Looking real good! Now that you have some smoke time in on it what would you change about the build?  Planning our smoker build and will be stealing some of your thoughts if that's ok?

So far I've done 60 pounds of bacon, 50 pounds of summer sausage, 25 pounds of snack sticks, 90 pounds of cheese and some salt...There is absolutely nothing I would change.  I got incredibly lucky with the design, size, exhaust ports and air intake.  After 20 minutes I can have a 1-2 degree difference between 24 inches of elevation in the cooking section.  I think having so many options to adjust the exhaust plays a huge roll in that.  The burner holds temps beautifully and can jump up 5 degree increments with ease.  It's just plain perfect. I will be reverse engineering this to have a set of plans on paper, for when this one burns down, flies away in the wind or gets sold, I will be building the next one exactly the same.

Actually, now that I typed all that there is one thing.  I would make the door as wide as possible so I could get the dowels in and out with sausage hanging on them a little bit easier.  Right now I have to drop one side of the dowel a little lower than I would like and the meat all slides to that lower hand sometimes.  If the door was a little wider I wouldn't have to drop one end as low. 

[92xj]

I did end up getting a nice handle and some new latches for it.  These latches are cat's meow!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

That's real good! Those latches do look like to a great job. Thanks for the input. If other minor design changes come to mind please post away.

[MacAttack]

Is the smoker sitting on the base or did you secure it?

[gilroym]

I will be reverse engineering this to have a set of plans on paper, for when this one burns down, flies away in the wind or gets sold, I will be building the next one exactly the same.

Will you be sharing these plans with your HW compadres?

[trapperguy22]

I see in the first pictures the blocks were three high and now they are two high, was it just to high with three rows? How tall is the wood part? How do put wood chips in? Do you use both burns or just one? Thanks for the info

[92xj]

I see in the first pictures the blocks were three high and now they are two high, was it just to high with three rows? Yep, 2 rows ended up being the perfect height How tall is the wood part? I do not know off hand, but I believe I took measurements and posted somewhere in the thread.  When I get home I will measure for you, or if I get a minute, I will reread my post and find it.  I want to say the front part of the wood structure is 6' and the back is 5'6" or so. How do put wood chips in? In the first row of cinder blocks there is one block that slides in and out.  When wood chips are needed during the middle of a smoke, I slide the block out, reach in and grab the cast iron skillet.  I dump the skillet in my fire pit, add more chips and place it back in the open block hole.  I never open the wood door and my temps stay where I need them while adding chips. Do you use both burns or just one Depending on what temperatures I need determines if both burners are going or not.  I want to say when I get around the 130 degree mark and greater I run both burners.? Thanks for the info

Anything else, let me know.

[92xj]

Is the smoker sitting on the base or did you secure it?

Just sitting there, nothing is holding it down and the blocks are not mudded or glued.

[trapperguy22]

Thank you again for the info, been thinking of building one for a while now and yours looks awesome. Do you remember where you got your burners?

[92xj]

I will be reverse engineering this to have a set of plans on paper, for when this one burns down, flies away in the wind or gets sold, I will be building the next one exactly the same.

Will you be sharing these plans with your HW compadres?

I never did create the plans. If someone wanted measurements is be glad to take them for them.

[92xj]

Thank you again for the info, been thinking of building one for a while now and yours looks awesome. Do you remember where you got your burners?

Either agri supply or northern tool online. Somewhere around 20-30 bucks. They are still working like a champ for a little cheap thing.

[trapperguy22]

I see you have a damper in the blocks on the one side do you have the same thing on the other side too?

[92xj]

I see you have a damper in the blocks on the one side do you have the same thing on the other side too?

I do but I always forget about that one and only use the one on the side closest to the grass that's under the shelf. Not sure if the other one is really needed.

[92xj]

Busted out 25 pounds of Goose bologna and 25 pounds of duck summer sausage.  Smokehouse is still amazing.