Smoke house build

[92xj]

I was able to find a few photos from the build.  Hopefully these help inspire you.
I do not have any measurements currently, but you can determine width and depth by the cinder blocks.
Note that in one of the build photos, I have three rows of blocks.  That was too tall.  I ended up using only two rows.
Also note that I do NOT use wood chips in the cast iron skillet anymore.  I use a pellet tube that I place in the air intake hole.  So much better as I do not have to open the door at all during the cooking process.
I could not find pictures of the exhaust holes but each hole has its own covering and I adjust those each to get it really dialed during a cook.
Anyhow, hopefully these photos will answer all the questions and PMs.
If not, ask away!

[92xj]

The sun really beats it up here so instead of staining each year, I just decided to burn the outside with a weed burner. 

[Ryans71]

That's awesome.  How long does a full smoker tube last?  Just wondering how often you'd need to refill it or do you have a second one?

[92xj]

That's awesome.  How long does a full smoker tube last?  Just wondering how often you'd need to refill it or do you have a second one?

It last about 2.5 hours.  And I only have one.  It takes one second to refill and get it going again.  I run smoke for only 5-7 hours of the cooking process.

[Ryans71]

That's awesome.  How long does a full smoker tube last?  Just wondering how often you'd need to refill it or do you have a second one?

It last about 2.5 hours.  And I only have one.  It takes one second to refill and get it going again.  I run smoke for only 5-7 hours of the cooking process.

Sounds good, thanks! 

[Pathfinder101]

This is a really cool project.  One day your grandkids are going to talk about "this awesome smokehouse that my grampa had..." 

[Blacklab]

🤑🤑🤑

That’s perfect size👍 great job. A buddy an I built one several years ago. Loved it just to big for personal use. Imo. Since moving last year. I need another smokehouse.

[kball4]

Are there any dampeners towards to top to let more smoke/heat escape or does it just go through the wood joints?

[pianoman9701]

That's a really nice smokehouse. Well done. 

[92xj]

Are there any dampeners towards to top to let more smoke/heat escape or does it just go through the wood joints?

In the early stages of the build pictures, I don't have the exhaust holes cut in.  But the final house does have exhaust ports.  Lots of them, that I can cover individually to really dial it in.
Here is what they look like.

[Blacklab]

Again nicely done. Thanks for sharing.

[TommyH]

Thanks, looks great. 

[LDennis24]

Ooh! I was hoping for this! I didn't think you wanted to share your smokehouse build with us or I would have asked. It seriously crossed my mind several times! Lol Thank you!

[92xj]

Ooh! I was hoping for this! I didn't think you wanted to share your smokehouse build with us or I would have asked. It seriously crossed my mind several times! Lol Thank you!

Heck, I am always willing.  I actually had a build thread on here years ago, when I actually built it.  The photos went away when photo buckets did their lameness.  Then when I posted up the summer sausage stuff, I had folks mention in the thread and about 15 PMs from folks asking about it. Luckily I was able to find some of the build photos and hosted them with Flickr and was able to post this thread.
Hopefully it helps someone build one and have success at processing their own meat.

Im more than willing to answer any questions about anything and help where I can.

[LDennis24]

Ok thank you so much! So what brand of smoke tube are you using? And do you have a fan to move smoke in to the box?

[92xj]

Ok thank you so much! So what brand of smoke tube are you using? And do you have a fan to move smoke in to the box?

That's a secret

[92xj]

Ok thank you so much! So what brand of smoke tube are you using? And do you have a fan to move smoke in to the box?

That's a secret

I'm kidding.  My smoke tube is one of the original A-MAZ-N tubes.
And no fan.  Once you have heat going there is plenty of draft sucking in smoke from my air intake ports in the concrete blocks.  Sometimes too much draft and the tube will flare up because the oxygen level is so high.  I just pick it up, blow out the flame and set it down a little father away from the intake hole.

[LDennis24]

Oh sure! Lol I am familiar with the smoke tubes but never seen one in use or anything, I'll have to get one and experiment. I was curious about the fan as well for that exact reason. I didn't know if you even need one. Sounds like the draft does all the work. Thanks for the info!

[92xj]

Yep, draft does the work for sure.   
Good luck! 
And let me know if you have any other questions.

[spin05]

Is the burner in the picture what your using to maintain the temperature??  If so what brand is that??? Also about how much propane does say a average smoke session use.  also what flavor of pellets ya using for the summer sausage.

[92xj]

Is the burner in the picture what your using to maintain the temperature??  If so what brand is that??? Also about how much propane does say a average smoke session use.  also what flavor of pellets ya using for the summer sausage.

Yes, the burner is what I am using to heat and cook anything. The brand, I have no idea.  It’s just a short legged cast iron dual propane cooker.   Something like this https://www.campingworld.com/stansport-double-burner-cast-iron-stove-381644.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=%7BCampaign%7D&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIysOzqvnk-wIVqzmtBh1n8wDUEAkYBiABEgLghfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds


On average, I’d say I use around 1 gallon of propane for every 7 hours of cook time.

And I use fruitwood pellets for everything I smoke. With apple being the majority. 

[nwwanderer]

Great share!!! 

[syoungs]

gosh I wish I had a smokehouse like this.
Ive wanted one ever since your first build post years ago!

probably gonna have to make it happen when the weather breaks this spring lol

[elksnout]

So awesome. I’ve been looking for something such as your build. Couple of questions please.

What’s the approximate height of just the smoker itself?

Could the roof be made of metal or do smokers need wood roofs?

The pellet tube… does that lay onto or next to the burner? Could you use two? (One 6” tube for each burner?)

Thanks
elksnout

[92xj]

See below, hopefully that helps.

So awesome. I’ve been looking for something such as your build. Couple of questions please.

What’s the approximate height of just the smoker itself? Front of smoker (wall with door) is 68" Wood to wood.  No cinder block in the measurement.  Back wall of smoker is 60"

Could the roof be made of metal or do smokers need wood roofs? Roof can be made with anything.  I used wood and then metal roofing on top.  The wood insulates a lot better than just a single sheet of metal roofing.

The pellet tube… does that lay onto or next to the burner? Could you use two? (One 6” tube for each burner?) The wood tubes and burners are completely independent.  There is no need for the tubes to be anywhere near the burner.  The tubes are filled with pellets, you then just light the pellets, get a good flame going and then blow them out. The pellets smolder making a nice fine blue smoke.  They do not need to be near the heating burners are all.

Thanks
elksnout