0t rack mount cabinet into a mullet smoker

[Phil-G]

ok i know i'm supposed to be posting pics of the racks. but this is like my first real day off in a month, and decided to build a smoker.
i started off with an empty cab. and added some insulation to maintain a decent temp. (and keep up the whole altec efficiency thing.)



one more with Sunshine


i'm covering the insulation and all of the interior with 1/4" plywood. because wood is important for good smoking.



and i'm still in the design portion of the firebox.

[Cal Weldon]

and i'm still in the design portion of the firebox.

I use a hot plate and a cast iron pan. Do you have an air intake and exhaust planned?

[Phil-G]

I use a hot plate and a cast iron pan. Do you have an air intake and exhaust planned?

we like to do large quanities of fish at a time down here. this box is actually a bit small for some tastes.

i'm going regulate the flow with 1" holes in the baffle at the top of the firebox. by sliding smaller plates with matching holes back and forth to open and close them. there is a small vent at the top of the box. and another under the firebox. i'll probly use sliders to adjust them also.

it's also worth noting that after some slightly unscientific testing i've come to the conclusion that R Max insulation is not even remotely suitable for use around the firebox. i've subsequintly removed it and will be going with an airgap and venting in the sides around the firebox. in retrospect it may be a better idea to allow some of the heat to dissipate. this is a smoker not an oven for crying out loud.
i looked it up and found out this cabinet usually retails for over 500. oh well



i have covers for those ugly holes, but i need paint them with crinkle coat to match the cabinet first.





the front vent is for the box. the side vents will allow any moisture in the sides a way to dissapate. (i wished i'd flat blacked the insulation before i installed it.)

tomorrow the back and doors

[Phil-G]

firebox is nearly done. and the interior is insulated and lined with 1/4" plywood.



the back is steel clad and ready for paint.
and yes I drilled and tapped all 35+ screws

[bowtie427ss]

Sorry we're not all geographically closer to each other, i have a grove of Shagbark Hickory.

[Phil-G]

mail some i'll mail you some fish back

[juniper]

Sorry we're not all geographically closer to each other, i have a grove of Shagbark Hickory.

A grove? picture please!!! They are an amazing sight.. Good for you Sir!!!!

[Cal Weldon]

I was going to mention the insulation but when you showed it covered up with ply, I thought that might be ok. Glad you checked. Is that board a foil faced isocyanurate? I use Type IV polystyrene in mine but it's on the outside of the wood chamber. You could probably do the same if your unit is under cover.

EDIT: I see the first pic shows that it is iso insulation.

EDIT2: I should mention that I don't use chips, I use the sawdust mix, the kind they use in industrial smokers. 50 bags are dirt cheap. I think it's mostly Alder. I sometime add larger pieces of hardwood to help get the next batch of sawdust going, kind of like a punk.

[Phil-G]

we use buttonwood a lot down here. looks kinda like mangrove.

[Cal Weldon]

Looking good. Are you going to do a dry run to season it?

50 bags are dirt cheap.

Make that 50 lbs. bags.