Hi All,
I'm new to the forums, just signed up and I have a question...
I am planning on using a Bradley generator in a converted wine barrel as a smoker. I am not concerned about fire danger as oak has an ignition point of 525*F, unless of course there is a flame up from grease drips but I doubt that will happen. My question is, can the Bradley generator handle the volume of the barrel? It's 60 gal or 8 cubic ft...will it get it to 160 or so? I would quess the more meat I have in it the better it will work. What do you all think?
Cheers, Ron
You're going to need another heat source. The smoke generator only burns the pucks, it will produce plenty of smoke for you, but it won't create enough heat to raise your "box" temp more than 30-40 degrees, if even that much in that big of an area.
Welcome to the forum, and I hope you find a way to do what you want to for smoking.
Welcome here RB! I tend to agree with TT on the heat source. I will defer to the more knowledgeable folks on here for the smoke volume, but my guess would be that you will have enough smoke. If not, you can always run another generator.
As stated above, you will need another heat source. In a well insulated Bradley, with only the generator as a heat source and only 6 pounds of sausage, I can hit 140°F sometimes 180F°. In a large wood barrel filled with meat you won't get much heat.
As far as for smoke volume, if vented correctly the generator can easily handle that capacity.
Welcome RB;
Like they said you will need an additional controlled heat source. A friend of mine made a barrel smoker also and used a two burner hot plate from Walmart hooked to a thermostat and it worked just fine. The generator will handle the smoke easily on that size area. Sounds like a fun project. Enjoy and keep us posted. Please feel free to ask questions. There is alot of good help on this forum. :)
I would like to see pictures when you're finished! Where would someone get an old wine barrel? I have a few wineries near my home, but I would think these things are incredibly expensive, even used!
cingnut,
Well, it depends where you live. If there are wine makers in you area barrel prices are usually pretty low, $30 or so for a whole barrel where I live.
I read some where (I think on the bradley site) the generators will provide smoke for 50 cu ft. Plently of smoke but as others say not a heat source. Good Luck with smoker! 8)
Here in the Niagara Peninsula, they re-use the barrels for only so long and then they sell them off. Not sure how much, but I think its fairly cheap. Mainly American oak.
:) I've just joined the forum from over the 'pond' (England) and find the info very helpful. I've been smoking for just over a year and although I don't have a Bradley Smoker as such, I have made my own from an old whisky barrel and a Bradley smoke generator. Still making some refinements, like a small electric extractor to help smoke circulation.
Currently I've done Kippers - very nice and very easy. Smoked Scottish Salmon using the Bradley Cures (demerara), Trout, Mackerel and Bacon. Must say they've all turned out excellent, maybe I've been lucky, but I did do a load of reading before making my first step.
I've noticed on the Forum that someone was asking about making a smoker from a reclaimed wine barrel (a while ago now). If anyone's interested in how I made mine just email me.
Like the 'site' - I'll be back!
W E L C O M E DaveA!
Sounds like you got it down...
Welcome DaveA
Sounds like your smokin away, I'd sure like to see a pic of your setup!
C
Welcome to the forum. I would like to see some photo's as well.
DaveA signing in again. Thanks for your comments. Just had a very nice email from RC aka 'Kummok'. Rather a long way to Alaska from the UK, but I'm working on it.
I'll check out how to post photos to the forum.
Check back in a couple of days!!
DaveA signing in again. Thanks for your comments. Just had a very nice email from RC aka 'Kummok'. Rather a long way to Alaska from the UK, but I'm working on it.
I'll check out how to post photos to the forum.
Check back in a couple of days!!
I hope I know what I'm doing. I've uploaded some photographs of my barrel smoker to photobucket, now let's see if I can get the 'links' right and post them here:
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/davidgeary/smoker.jpg)
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/davidgeary/heater-element.jpg)
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/davidgeary/extractor.jpg)
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/davidgeary/herring.jpg)
Well that worked kind of - I did include some captions with the photos on photobucket but they haven't transferred here. maybe they're not supposed to. If anyone wants to know what the photos represent in terms of modifications to the prototype I'll explain by a further 'post'.
Awesome!
DaveA that is to cool for words...Time for me to find a barrel, if you could give us some specs that would be awesome!
C
Wow, that's really cool.
Very nice and Very stylish.
Good Morning from the UK!
Didn't know I'd stir up so much interest with my whisky barrel smoker, just seemed a good idea at the time. I bet there are plenty of outlets in the 'States' for bourbon and/or wine barrels, but if anyone is interested in doing a project this company might be a good starting point - http://www.kentuckybarrels.com/vintage-barrels.html
The whisky barrels I use come from distilleries in Scotland, but started life in Kentucky storing bourbon then France and/or Portugal for wine/port storing before going to Scotland for a decade or so maturing the 'Water of Life'. Years of all that lovely liquid seeping into the oak imparts a great aroma into whatever you happen to be smoking. This gradually diminishes over time but the early 'smokes' are great.
I'd better start writing-up a 'spec' on how to build one of these. I guess the best way is for me to produce it as an Adobe PDF, so if anyone wants a copy of the file, email me and I'll forward it one in a few days. There's nothing too complicated, but once you've made something you can always see an easier way of doing it next time.
Off to start writing now!!
That is a very cool smoker!
Is it just for "hangable" stuff or are there racks ?
Hi FLBentRider!
No it has racks too. Here's a pic
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll304/davidgeary/trays.jpg).
Very, Very cool....
Dave A that is very nice and looks well crafted ;D What a unique approach to a smoker. ;)
Hi Dave
Welcome to the forum.
Nice setup. Thanks for contributing.
Super smoker there Dave. Thanks for taking the time and sharing the pics with us.
DaveA,
If you cannot find a hosting service for your images send them to me: r a y e @ r m in o r . c o m (no spaces) and I will host them for you.
Olds
Thats way cool.
And welcome to the forum
nepas