Pleasant Suprise

viper125 · November 22, 2011, 07:38:52 AM

Well talking to the original owner of my house today. He ran a garage out of here for many years. Which to my benefit means I have three garages on 3 1/2 acres. There is also this small out building looks like a out house sort of. I was asking what it was. Figured his wife's garden shed. Low and behold it was his smoker way back when. Hmmm now it's got me thinking. We been using for storing grand kids toys but I may find a place in the garage for them. LOL Right now it's little more than a building with out the door. So I don't know! What do you all think ?

Sailor · November 22, 2011, 07:48:33 AM

photos of the interior and exterior would sure help ;D

viper125 · November 22, 2011, 08:06:43 AM

Your right sailor! Ok this looks to be roughly 4ft wide and 7 foot long Walk in door way with a peaked roof. As you can see in the pics there is a board nailed over the old chimney hole. Pretty well sealed boards and no leaks. other wise just a small building to store toys in. LOL

Hole covered in roof.

Roof inside

Well that's what it is. Now is this a smoke house or toy storage?

pensrock · November 22, 2011, 09:11:44 AM

Nice, when I built mine I put a vent in the upper peak and another in the lower part of the door. Then I actually split the door so I could open just the bottom part to add wood chips to the tray and not lose my heat around the sausage. I bought a propane burner, a little smaller than a turkey fryer burner to heat it with and put a stainless steel tray on top of the burner to make the smoke. It works great for large batches of sausage or if you got 1/2 dozen turkeys to do. Your is larger than mine so you may be able to get away with a turkey fryer burner. I put cement board on the floor and a little up the sides so if a spark or two should fly out it would not be a problem.

Sailor · November 24, 2011, 05:00:46 AM

I could have been a smokehouse. Lots of cubic feet to heat up and fill with smoke. I'm thinking that if I were to turn it into a smoker I would build a separate smoke room on the inside. If a guy were to wall off the area to the left as you walk in and put an access door in that wall you would reduce the area a bunch and still have a lots of room to store stuff or build a bench to work off of to prepare your stuff. You can smoke lots and lots of sausage in a 4x4 area and reduce the amount of BTU needed to heat it.

devo · November 24, 2011, 05:08:14 AM

Quote from: Sailor on November 24, 2011, 05:00:46 AM
I could have been a smokehouse. Lots of cubic feet to heat up and fill with smoke. I'm thinking that if I were to turn it into a smoker I would build a separate smoke room on the inside. If a guy were to wall off the area to the left as you walk in and put an access door in that wall you would reduce the area a bunch and still have a lots of room to store stuff or build a bench to work off of to prepare your stuff. You can smoke lots and lots of sausage in a 4x4 area and reduce the amount of BTU needed to heat it.

Yup what he said, I think the shack size is over kill unless you plan on going into business

jiggerjams · November 24, 2011, 05:39:45 AM

Sounds like you have some excellent options before you. If you plan on keeping it a full size smokehouse I would look forward to pics of full sides smokin'. :)

pensrock · November 24, 2011, 06:36:58 AM

I agree it huge. Most around here are 4'x4', mine is 3'x3' and I can easy fit 50 pounds of sausage in there.

cajunboudreaux · November 24, 2011, 10:49:23 AM

Sounda like to me you got yourself a smoker.. Congrats...
Myself, I would install a motor on top with a rotisserie hanging hook thru the center and have myself a new pig roaster..
run a few small gas lines for heat and and vent and your in business..

viper125 · November 24, 2011, 12:00:13 PM

Well all great ideas and points. But for now its just a brain fart. I will see what size batches I get in to. Right now my 20-30 lbs are tops and I dont need one that big. I just found it great that it was used here back in the day. I would love to know the history about this place and what went through there.
Right now I getting ready to install another 500 watt element,door stops and new legs. Oh yeah also 8 more racks for my jerky and sticks. Then I'll do the fan mod. You guys better come up with some new mods quick, I'm going to be running out. Not sure i'll need the one with the insulation. I have mine mounted in the garage now. Also setting up a cold smoking mod.
Hey anyone here if dry fruit and such in their smoker? Seems with the fan and a little heat shouldn't be a problem. With all the extra racks I may just try it.
Also I really do appreciate all the ideas you all come up with when someone suggests something. Thats what makes this a great place.

Pleasant Suprise

devo