redkneck Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 We got this cooler on Ebay for storing deer in, worked good a few years then the compressor grounded out so I decided to make a smoker out of it: Picked up a thermostat on Ebay, got an element out of a junk stove, did a little wiring that would not meet code and we now have a smoker. We processed two does, mixed in thirty percent pork fat. Did a little with cheese and onion, some cheese and jalapeno. These things are a must, notice the RT logo Made forty pounds total. Now to the smoker. Add a little water and some hickory and we got nice steam and smoke. Another gadget that's invaluable, a probe that tells you meat temp and oven temp so you don't have to open the door. Brought it out about 155 and gave it a shower. Some good eating, but no doubt it's work involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smha6784 Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 How I spent Saturday That's a set up rite there!!! Where do it pick up my sausage ? Do you ship ? Haha,that's a good idea with the old stainless cooler tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Nice job turning that old cooler into a smoker. That sausage looks real tasty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 The sausage is for sale, just 49.99/lb. Seriously, after you stuff and smoke sausage, you don't think the processor is quite so high lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smha6784 Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 How I spent Saturday I started processing all my own four years ago. If it wasn't for liking my mixes better is go back to processor. By the time it's all said and done venison is EXPENSIVE !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 How I spent Saturday Pretty awesome work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maine Hntr Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 Pretty creative there! I got a smoker last year for X-Mas, a lazy man smoker though (electric), I love it though we've done a ton of different items in it and it's definitely a great way to cook! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2013 My next project will likely be some summer sausage. The smoked sausage was great, the green onion and cheese was awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 nice john... did you have the thermostat connected to a relay or something to turn the heating element on or off to keep the temp consistent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 Yeah Dan, I just threw some junk together lol, got romex and thhn hanging all over the back of the box. The stove elements are like 2600 Watts and my little thermostat was only rated at 7 amps, so I had to put a contactor on it. Need to scrounge one up with a 208 v cool so I can drop the neutral and just get a 3 wire cord and put an outlet in our skinning shed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted November 20, 2013 Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 yea that'd be convenient to plug in and have everything all right there. I know they make them it's just finding one cheap. more of a specialty item you'll probably have to pay full price for unless you can find one on something. only things I can think of are commercial kitchen or process equipment that was going to be scrapped and used for parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2013 Well, no biggie, even if I need to put a 24vac transformer on the thing and get a low voltage relay, I got plenty of crap at work in the bone yard. Just need to get me a raintight enclosure to stick it all into and clean it up. Or I could just get a 4 prong plug and just pull a neutral into the box. Just one of those projects where I need warm weather I dont feel like hunting in and some cold beverages and a little time lol. May stick a rotisserie on it too in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 I know multiple people that burned and cleaned and old residential 250 gal oil tank welded some hinges and keyed bearing assembly onto it then bolted on some unistrut to support a gear and electric motor and made a pig roaster. we'd use my uncle's every year for july 4th and have a couple hundred people over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbHunterNY Posted November 21, 2013 Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 if it wasn't as cold out my gears would be turning more with you posting this stuff. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2013 Haha, funny Dan, lots of hot days down here in the winter time to give the deer a break and get projects done. I can't wait to get some summer sausage goodies ordered next. Also would like to lay a half a hog in this thing if I can get a good rack. Need some expanded metal in SS but I'll have to scrounge that up somewhere, sure can't afford it. Luckily I have enough work done at the machine shop each year I am able to get stuff made for my government projects, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.