British BBQ Society Forums

Hello there,
I'm new to the world of smoking food but certainly not new to the taste of smoked food!

I want to build my own smoker and have a dustbin (with lid and chimney) which I would like to convert. My question is where can I purchase a decent electric heat source that I can put my wood box on? I have seen certain elements that I can import in the US but they are very expensive!
Any tips/hints on procuring a cheaper heat source please?

Thanks in advance
JJT

You could use a single electric hob that you can buy from Amazon. This will give you temp' control at a low cost.

to give you an idea of other bits to think of when building your smoker you might want to look at this link http://www.instructables.com/id/Flower- ... roved-Lid/

Hi there, Swindon Ed - thanks for taking the time to reply.

Regards,
JJTJ

Anyone know the optimum temp that wood shavings/dust will start to smoke please? I have managed to get my hands on a heated soup container which I reckon will be spot on if I can get the temp up sufficiently to 'catch' the watch causing the smoke...

Thanks in advance.

JJTJ

Hi Jack

I'm interested in this post as I'm considering converting my ECB to electric, or going the same route as yourself and using an incinerator bin with a hotplate at the bottom. A few of my thoughts:

-The optimum temp at which shavings begin to smoke depends on many factors; the type of wood, thickness of shaving, moistproximity to heat source, surface area in relation to heat source location etc. Dust and shavings will undoubtedly smoulder easier than chunks. Are you trying to cold smoke here? If not, then you don't need to worry too much about the temp at which the wood will start to smoke, as you will be way above that temp anyway. If you find it is burning off too quickly, consider changing where the wood chips sit in relation to the heat source.

-From what I have read, it can be difficult to achieve the temperatures required for bbq using those little hotplates. Not to say it is impossible, but British weather helps none. Consider heat loss from wind etc, so you need to factor that into your design. I've been pondering whether I could fit two in. If only I had the balls to take a couple apart and bodge them into one, Frankenstein's monster style, double hotplate!

Voila !!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Andrew-James-El ... 900&sr=1-3

Few probs with using that:

-The plastic housing would have to be removed (since the unit is essentially going to be in an oven)
-Even if the plastic was heat resistant, the unit is wide, what would be ideal would be a "double strength" coil, hence the need to butcher one of these units.

I wonder if an oven element would be a better bet? 2.5 kw over 1 - 1.5 on a standard single hob element. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Qualtex-Heating ... 561&sr=1-7

Only £6, just need to wire it up, insulate it and add a resistor dial.

Where are Steve or Cyderpig when you need them

Go around the local charity shops/ junk shops look for old Baby Belling type cookers, all parts of these can be easily used and adapted.

Cheers
Simon