Need Some Help

[GrillZilla]

Greetings!  Before I purchase the Bradley, I figured I would take a run at making my own smoker.  I have my frame completed using 2x2s (wood).  My entire box is 3x3 wide, and 5 feet high (estimated 45sqft).  The walls will be plywood, and on the floor I will be installing tiles or something to prevent the floor from getting too hot.  My goal is to smoke jerky (without using a dehydrator), sausages, turkey, fish etc. (just about anything I can smoke).  I have a few questions that I figured I would run by you pros:

1.  Will a Bradley unit heat and smoke this much sqft (plywood insulation) and reach the temps I need?
2.  If not, what are your suggestions to achieving this (hot plates, heating elements etc)?
3.  If not answered in #2, should I add fans, PID, other gizmos?
4.  What is the max temp I want to get a wood smoker up to?
5.  What sized damper should I use?
6.  Any good inexpensive ideas for racks in a 3x3 box

Sorry I am asking these questions, but many of you have built your own unit and I am trying to prevent reinventing the wheel.  Thanks so much for all the suggestions.     

[NePaSmoKer]

Greetings!  Before I purchase the Bradley, I figured I would take a run at making my own smoker.  I have my frame completed using 2x2s (wood).  My entire box is 3x3 wide, and 5 feet high (estimated 45sqft).  The walls will be plywood, and on the floor I will be installing tiles or something to prevent the floor from getting too hot.  My goal is to smoke jerky (without using a dehydrator), sausages, turkey, fish etc. (just about anything I can smoke).  I have a few questions that I figured I would run by you pros:

1.  Will a Bradley unit heat and smoke this much sqft (plywood insulation) and reach the temps I need?
2.  If not, what are your suggestions to achieving this (hot plates, heating elements etc)?
3.  If not answered in #2, should I add fans, PID, other gizmos?
4.  What is the max temp I want to get a wood smoker up to?
5.  What sized damper should I use?
6.  Any good inexpensive ideas for racks in a 3x3 box

Sorry I am asking these questions, but many of you have built your own unit and I am trying to prevent reinventing the wheel.  Thanks so much for all the suggestions.     

Here are some of your questions answered.

1. Will a Bradley unit heat and smoke this much sqft (plywood insulation) and reach the temps I need?
A. If your talking about the Bradley smoke generator NO. It will not produce the internal IT you need. It will provide cold smoke for jerky.

2. If not, what are your suggestions to achieving this (hot plates, heating elements etc)?
A. You will need some sort of electric hot plate with a minimum of 1200 watts.

3. If not answered in #2, should I add fans, PID, other gizmos.
A PID will work with some hot plates. Fans are a good idea but not really needed.

4. What is the max temp I want to get a wood smoker up to?
A. You do not want to go above an IT of 200* with plywood. 180* is ideal for jerky and sticks. Some times an IT of 200* is required for sticks.

5. What sized damper should I use?
Your box should not be air tight. You will have smoke from around the door area. 3/4" holes drilled on the sides or top will work. If not needed cover with duct tape on the outside. Staple some fine wire screen on the inside of the holes to keep bugs out.

6. Any good inexpensive ideas for racks in a 3x3 box
A. The Bradley racks will work fine. Use 2x2" for the rack supports. Or make racks from expanded steel.


I use a BPS generator for my heat and smoke source. I get an IT of 200* easy.


Hope this helps you some.

nepas

[GrillZilla]

As usual NPAS, you and the gang are so generous in providing helpful tips.  I went out and got two hot plates (1000 w each) which should provide me a little more flexibility in temp mgt.  I will utilize your other tips as well.  When it is complete I will post final photos.  Thanks again!

Also, I notice you are having a smokeout very soon.  Is this going to be a regular Annual occurrence, or just a one time thing?  Although I live in GA, my company is HQed in Marietta, PA.  I would love to schedule one of my visits around your get together if possible, or, just hook up on the few occasions I have to travel to PA.  Let me know if this would work.  Thanks again.  G. Zilla (:

[NePaSmoKer]

As usual NPAS, you and the gang are so generous in providing helpful tips.  I went out and got two hot plates (1000 w each) which should provide me a little more flexibility in temp mgt.  I will utilize your other tips as well.  When it is complete I will post final photos.  Thanks again!

Also, I notice you are having a smokeout very soon.  Is this going to be a regular Annual occurrence, or just a one time thing?  Although I live in GA, my company is HQed in Marietta, PA.  I would love to schedule one of my visits around your get together if possible, or, just hook up on the few occasions I have to travel to PA.  Let me know if this would work.  Thanks again.  G. Zilla (:

G Z

You are more than welcome to stop by anytime. The smokeout is open to all forum members if you can make it. If it turns out nice it could be yearly. Marietta i think is on the other side of Lancaster County? If your this way stop on by.

Please post pics, all the members like to see them

nepas

[GrillZilla]

Thanks NEPAS!  It is right by Lancaster.  I was just up there two weeks ago, so my next trip will probably be in 4-6 months - true cold smoking weather.  I hate that I will miss the get together this go around but will give you a yell next time I fly up.  Please take photos of the SmokeAThon, as I will be looking forward to salivating over the computer monitor once again.   ;D

[NePaSmoKer]

Thanks NEPAS!  It is right by Lancaster.  I was just up there two weeks ago, so my next trip will probably be in 4-6 months - true cold smoking weather.  I hate that I will miss the get together this go around but will give you a yell next time I fly up.  Please take photos of the SmokeAThon, as I will be looking forward to salivating over the computer monitor once again.   ;D

Your welcome GZ

When you get this way gimee a shout. I will PM you my phone # and will for sure post pics.

nepas

[pensrock]

I have one that is 3-foot by 3-foot about 6-foot tall. I use a small propane burner for heat and to burn wood chips for smoke when doing sausages or brined turkeys. I never go abouve 170-175 F. I have not tried jerky or sticks in it.

[NePaSmoKer]

Pens has a pretty dang nice tall smoker i might add.

nepas

[GrillZilla]

Pen and NePa, I have the monster built!  I will post photos when I get my camera back.  Now, I am down to two delimas...first, racking system - Pen, how did you do your rack layout?  Do you have photos?  Where did you get the materials etc.?  NePa, you mentioned buying the Bradley racks.  Do you have the dimensions for them?  I have looked everywhere and can not find the dimensions.  Also NePa, are the Bradley racks going to have my meat fall through them?  Is there a 1/2 inch rack I can get?  Can you link me a place to buy what your are thinking about? <--I just don't want to have to buy additional racks just to do jerky. 

Next - heat.  I have two hot plates but have not tested to see how hot it will get my smoker.  They do not seem like they will get the needed and desired temps - but I will know for sure in a day or two.  My questions is that it appears you are both using propane.  To save me from asking another question later, can you describe what you purchased and where I can get it?  I need the whole setup if you don't mind. 

Again, thanks for all the help and advise.  I hope to have this thing smoking by father's day.  Going to try the great looking salmon recipe on here.  Thanks

[GrillZilla]

Sorry, I found the dimensions on the racks.  Just ordered some. 

[NePaSmoKer]

Sorry, I found the dimensions on the racks.  Just ordered some. 

Glad you got the racks. If you would like food grade screen for them just click my blog and click the Yard&Pool banner there. Bryan has some very nice screen material just perfect for the Bradley racks. FYI, Dont get the Bradley jerky racks. Mine peel the coating, Dont know if Bradley has fixed this yet.

If you want propane as your main heat source you can buy a cheapo turkey fryer burner. Pens uses this in his larger smoker, I use a Bradley propane smoke generator which gives me temps from 140-225*

nepas