www.sausagemaking.org

This is my new COLD SMOKER, it can be used in very cold weather, as well as in summer time.
On the outside: one cooler box, extremely well insulated.



2 outlet vents on top - pvc 1" OD or 25 MM OD



2 inlet vents on the bottom, both also pvc 1" or 25 MM OD ( you can see only one )
One BIG adjustable inlet vent ( turned by hand, all pvc on the shelf at DIY store )



Top view of the inside ( my first REAL smoke, next to my cigarettes that is....)



Basic thought to come to this design:
- ELIMINATE ALL VARIABLES THAT ARE HARD TO CONTROL ( wind - sun - outside temperature )
- USE THE VARIABLES THAT YOU CAN CONTROL ( inlet - outlet - heat development )
- IF YOU NEED ADJUST, DO IT WITH ADDING HEAT ( this is easier than cooling down )

Below you see 3 drawings of the inside with different controls







Until now I have done tests with outside temperatures between -14 C and - 3 C, and I was always able to adjust the controls to smoke between + 18 C and + 20 C ( without jumping up and down to adjust all the time )
The picture below shows the setting for outside temperature of - 5 C and inside + 18 C, eventually I could mark the tape at the white arrow with " - 5 ", and I could do that with different outside temperatures as well ( if I always keep the + 18 C inside to smoke )



I am sure that there are still some modifications to come, but I felt confident enough to show it now as it is.

Hoggy

Waaayyy Cool Idea!

Ingenious!

Phil

Very innovative Hoggy!

It is clear to see that your version of "Smoking inside the box" is a result of "Thinking outside the box"!

Well done.

Richard

Thank you all guys.....there are still a few wrong " basic assumptions " in the design, but I know I can adjust/modify this smoker, I don't have to start all over again, not bad....normally I have to build things 5 times before to get it right.

But first I will do some more smoking to get as much experience as possible, after that I will post the final version.

Lol...the wife tasted the cheese that I put in during the tests, and now I have to stop " testing empty "....

18 hours and still going strong, temperatures inside were between 16.8 C and 18.9 C and outside a lot of wind, before we had light snow and temperatures between -2 C and -7 C ( right now )

What an interesting idea. Now I'm wondering if large polystyrene boxes might also make good cold smokers, especially in warm weather if an ice pack is placed within to ensure the temperature does not rise too high.

Thoughts?

Now I'm wondering if large polystyrene boxes might also make good cold smokers

Technically it would be possible I guess, as long as you keep fire away from polystyrene. I know polystyrene can produce gases, perhaps someone else has more experience with the material.
But I think it is better to go for a cooler, you can use a normal ice cooler, find one cheap or used as that has many advantages over polystyrene.
* it is sturdy, easy to clean and lasts forever
* better suited to insert air-vents
* during smoking you can pick it up and put it on another place
* you can put all your smoking stuff inside and transport it easily when you don't use it

You forgot

* cupholders on lid to hold beer

Great design.

Very good job.

You forgot

* cupholders on lid to hold beer

You were just ahead of me....wanted to take a picture today with beer, wine, chips and peanuts

Sounds interesting but the pictures aren't working for me. Just the dreaded red X

seems to be something wrong with my server, I have contacted them, sorry

Can't see them either "yet" but I get enough from your description to realise what a great idea that is... I can be patient and wait...

As to polystyrene Gill, I would worry about noxious gases should even one ember drop onto it. However, if you lined the bottom (or better yet all of it) with aluminium foil and raised the smoke generator up on an inverted plate, I think you would be safe enough...

Thanks for the advice, guys . I'll try to cadge a box the next time I visit a pet shop or fishmonger. I understand pet shops transport their reptile food in large poly boxes, as do fishmongers their fish.