If you sometimes like to taste smoked meats, you can visit the store in order to purchase such dishes there. However, you can cook them yourself, with the help of a smokehouse. Before you start building this structure, you need to understand the types of smoking, which can be two, namely hot and cold.
The first variety is a fairly quick method, which is most often used at home. The smoking period can last from 12 to 48 hours, while the temperature of the smoke is in the range from 35 to 50 degrees. In this case, the products do not lose moisture and are well saturated with fat. You can store such products for a short time. The dimensions of the smokehouse sometimes do not have to be chosen, since these designs, as a rule, are based on cylinders or refrigerators that are out of order. However, if you want to make such equipment for commercial purposes, then you can use metal sheets or a barrel, the volume of which may be sufficient.imposing.
Cold smoking is a longer processing time. At the same time, the products do not heat up much, since the smoke has a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees. The smoking period can last from 2 to 3 days. This type of processing involves the removal of moisture from products whose surface dries. You can store such products for a long time, especially when compared with hot smoking. In support of the above, it can be argued that the cold process is more laborious and time consuming compared to hot smoking. Let's get to know him in more detail.
What is a cold smoker?
In the process of making a cold smoked oil lamp, you will need to make a device in which cold smoke will be directed from the product to the side. The smoke must be continuous and even throughout the treatment period. Its temperature is not more than 25 degrees. In order to provide such conditions, the smokehouse must be divided into two separate parts. One of them will be a firebox, while the other will be a container. The first part should be 2 meters away from the other, and a chimney should be located between them.
The principle of operation and the design of the smokehouse for cold processing
If you are interested in the device of a cold smoked oil lamp, you should know that it consists of several elements, among them there is a chimney, a smoke generator and a smoking chamber. Designworks according to the following principle. The chips are put into the smoke generator, the fuel begins to smolder, and forms smoke. In the process, a draft arises, due to which it enters the chimney, cools in it, penetrating into the smoking chamber, where the products that are intended for processing are located. The main function in this type of processing is performed by a smoke generator, which provides a continuous flow of smoke into the smoking chamber. This element is automated, the owner will only need to observe the amount of sawdust.
Fuel preparation
Cold-smoked smokers should work on a certain type of sawdust. In no case should you use shavings of coniferous wood, namely pine, spruce, etc. This rule is due to the fact that this fuel contains resin. Fruit tree sawdust is the best solution for smoking. The best option would be cherry, apple and pear. In the absence of sawdust of this breed, you can replace them with shavings of alder, willow or oak. In order for the smoked meats to look very attractive after the process is completed, at the last stage of processing, you need to put a juniper branch in the smokehouse. For processing products by cold smoking, you can use cassettes and briquettes, which are sold in stores.
Technology for making oil lamps on our own
If you decide to start making cold smoked oil lamps, then you do not need to havecertain skills and abilities. Before starting work, you should prepare a certain set of tools and some materials. Sheets of iron should be laid at the bottom of the firebox, thanks to which the coals will smolder evenly. Now the master digs a chimney, the depth of which should be equal to the bayonet of the spade, while the width is equivalent to the width of the spade. After that, you need to use slate or a sheet of iron in order to close the chimney, filling it with earth. This is done to prevent smoke from escaping.
Before starting work, you need to familiarize yourself with what smokehouse designs are. This knowledge can help you in the process of manipulation. Next, you need to prepare an ordinary barrel, in the lower part of which a grate is strengthened. This is necessary for laying the filter, which will protect products from soot and resin. Burlap can act as a filter. A steel pipe is fixed in the upper part, products for smoking will be attached to it. Stainless steel is a very good material for such a pipe. When choosing a hook, you need to be guided by dimensions that should not be less than 10 millimeters. From above, the oil lamp should be covered with a sheet of iron.
Crate making
If you will be making a homemade cold smoked smokehouse, you can use a barrel or a box. After this element can be found, a smoke generator should be fixed to it. At this point, we can assume that the product is ready, it will be quite convenient to use it, and if necessary, it can be transferred to anotherplace. When using a smokehouse, the smoke must flow evenly, so special care must be taken to properly manufacture the chimney.
Work methodology
Be sure to choose the most suitable place for the oil lamp, there should not be flammable objects nearby. The master should take into account the distance from neighbors who may not like the smoke. In the process of arranging the chimney, you need to use cords and pegs. Initially, it will be necessary to carry out the markings along which the trench is dug. On the walls of the latter, you need to install bricks, putting them on the edge. In the process of work, you should use a solution that is prepared from sand and clay.
Master's Tips
When a cold smoked home smoker is being made, it may be necessary to cool the smoke. This issue can be resolved in one of several ways, one of them is the extension of the hose through which smoke is supplied to the structure. The length of this element should be such that the smoke gradually cools as it passes through it. Some experts advise using running water. To do this, you will need to assemble the simplest water-based cooler, which is made of copper and brass tubes. If wood is used in the smoking process, then a pipe bend can be used to cool the smoke.
Smoking Tips
If you purchased an industrial smokehouse or madedesign yourself, you should always ensure that the temperature inside is within the acceptable range. It is best to start this process in the morning. In bad weather, smoking should be avoided. You should not often look into the camera, and inside the device it is necessary to install a tray in which fat will be collected.
Making a smokehouse from a gas cylinder
Smokehouse at home can be done using a gas cylinder. To carry out the work, you will need a grinder, drills, a welding machine, two canopies for doors, a metal rod with a diameter of 10 millimeters, as well as pipes that will form the basis of the legs. Among other things, prepare a metal corner, a forged handle in the amount of 1 piece, welding electrodes, open-end wrenches, an electric drill and, of course, an old gas cylinder. If you will be running a smokehouse from a gas cylinder, then it is important to think about whether the size of the future design is suitable. To carry out these works, you can prepare a product of the required dimensions, taking care of this in advance.
Recommendations for work
At the first stage, the master must inspect the cylinder from all sides, if it is rusted, then it will not be possible to use it for work. If there is some gas inside, this indicates that the product is in working condition and is suitable for making a smokehouse. A smokehouse at home from a gas cylinder can only be made after careful preparation of the product.
For thisit is necessary to get rid of the remaining gas by turning the product over and unscrewing the valve. This will prevent possible ignition of the gas. Even after such a procedure, propane residues will remain in the form of condensate. It is worth considering the moment that they are dangerous. It will be quite difficult to get rid of the oily liquid that has settled on the walls. Water is most often used for this.
After getting rid of the remaining gas, it will be necessary to draw a line on the body with chalk along which the cut will be made. The balloon must be divided into two parts, which are then connected by hinges. At the next stage, you will need to install the handles, weld the legs and install the grate inside. On this we can assume that the design is ready. According to this principle, a smokehouse can be assembled from a gas cylinder, which, if necessary, can be easily transferred from one place to another.
If you decide to make stationary equipment, then you need to start work with the fact that you must retreat a certain distance from the edge. After that, a line is drawn three centimeters below the weld. This will give you two circles. Straight lines should divide the balloon in the middle. After that, the container is filled with water, which does not need to be drained when making the first cut. The water that will flow out will be able to extinguish the sparks, preventing a fire from starting. After you have made holes, you can drain the water by continuing to cut. After one semicircle has been obtained, such work can be done on the other side. The semicircles should connectbetween themselves. This will ensure that the finished lid is closed, which will help keep the wind out of the flame.
Final works
If you will be cold smoking at home, then you can make a design for this using any of the above technologies. After completing the above manipulations, you need to check the stability of the product. If it has long legs, then it will be quite difficult to achieve reliability. Therefore, you need to install additional corners, which will be located at the bottom of the legs. After completing the work on the manufacture of the legs, you can drill several holes in the wall. Coals will wake up through them, air will penetrate inside, which will contribute to better combustion. After you can complete the basic steps, you can start painting the structure. However, quite often home masters exclude this stage.
Features of making oil lamps from an old refrigerator
At home, you can make a smokehouse from the refrigerator. To do this, you need to remove all the elements that are located inside the household appliance, leaving only a steel box with a door. After the inner chamber with thermal insulation has been removed, the old seams will need to be removed from the special sealant, which can take a lot of time. A sufficiently large hole will be formed on the back side, where the heat exchanger is located. You can close it with a metal plate, which should be cut out of the previously removed parts. If you have a potbelly stove available,which, as a rule, is made from pieces of a water pipe, then it can be used by installing it inside. It is important to ensure that the pipe exits, with which the master may have certain difficulties.
When a smokehouse is being made from the refrigerator, it will be necessary to draw a circle with a compass, the diameter of which is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the pipe. After that, holes should be drilled around the perimeter of the circle using a five-bit drill. This element can be brought to the desired size with a semicircular file. Stepping back from the top of the box 20 centimeters, you should install two corners that will act as holders for the grid. On this shelf there will be products for smoking. Stepping back 10 centimeters below, you need to fix two more corners that are necessary to install the pallet. It will accumulate fat. The shelf can be used from the same refrigerator, and the tray can be borrowed from the stove.
Supplying the smokehouse with additional elements
If you purchase an industrial smokehouse, you don't have to worry about its design features, since this device already has everything. Whereas if you yourself decide to make such equipment, you can supply it with additional elements. One of them is a thermometer, which is equipped with a bimetallic plate in the form of a spiral. It must be removed from the same old stove. You can decide for yourself where to install this thermometer, however, experts advise placing it in close proximity to the product, whichsupposed to be copied. Such a smokehouse, reviews of which are often only positive, should have small holes on the side wall for attaching a thermometer. The indicator must be placed outside. After dismantling, only a handle and a label with the name will remain on the refrigerator door. You can save yourself from manipulating the fixing of the door, in the closed position it can remain thanks to an ordinary hook.
Such smokehouses for home smoking after completion of work must be tested, for this the chamber must be ignited to eliminate odors. The stove can be heated for several hours, from time to time throwing firewood. The door does not need to be closed completely. The appearance of the refrigerator body after such use may be slightly changed: the paint will come off or turn yellow. If these metamorphoses do not scare you, then the smokehouse does not need to be decorated with anything.
Of course, a cold-smoked smokehouse, the price of which is about 20,000 rubles, can be purchased in a specialized department. However, many home craftsmen prefer to make such designs on their own. During operation, you will get great pleasure from using the product, and the minimum amount of money will be spent on manufacturing. Some specialists do without visiting the store at all.
Conclusion
The smoker, admittedly, is a fairly simple design. Even an inexperienced craftsman can make it using improvised materials and tools. If necessaryin carrying out welding work, then you can always contact a specialist whose scope of work will not be too large. Therefore, you do not have to overpay, which indicates the possibility of saving. But meat and fish can be cooked as much as your heart desires. Some masters even use similar designs not only for their own needs, but also for cooking meat, which will be sold. You can ensure that the design is sized to suit your needs. You need to think about this at the time of drafting the device.
