aluminum lined smoker
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I picked up a old commercial fridge that came out of a local bar this weekend. The compressor and other ''fridge stuff ‘’ has been removed already. My question is that it has fiberglass insulation and is lined with aluminum, should I remove that or will it be safe to use like it is. I know pots and pans are made from aluminum, and people wrap food in aluminum foil when cooking. This will be a winter project, so I am in no hurry
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cdavis Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User Sous Vide Oklahoma Team Camoreplied to kyle on last edited by
kyle I would bet money processhead will have some good info for you. I’m also interested in the answer to this.
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GWG8541 Regular Contributors Cast Iron Sous Vide Canning Team Blue Power User Military Veterans Ohioreplied to cdavis on last edited by
cdavis same here, I’m thinking the aluminum would be fine, but since I’ve never made one, I’d like to know.
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cdavis Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User Sous Vide Oklahoma Team Camoreplied to GWG8541 on last edited by
GWG8541 I passed up one of those last year because it was aluminum lined. I might be kicking myself when we get the answer.
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I have one but dont remember if it is alum lined it also has some black plastic around the door frame if I remember I took the inside of the door off and replaced it with metal next I lined the door edge (glued) a fire rope around the door for a better seal
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I am following to hear processhead’s answer. I would venture the guess that it is perfectly good to use
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kyle Regular Contributors Veteran Canning Team Blue Power User Sous Vide Wisconsin Gardeningreplied to fisherman43 on last edited by
fisherman43 the one I have has no plastic in or on it at all. my other concern is with fiberglass insulation, will that hurt anything? It is sealed good on the inside, but dont want any funky flavors
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processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo
I would have no problem using a cabinet with an aluminum lining for a smoker. Fiberglass insulation is fine too, assuming it is not exposed, which would be pretty unusual in an undamaged refrigerator.
At smoking/cooking temps, aluminum presents no problems, nor does fiberglass when it is behind/ under a metal liner.
This sounds like the basis of an excellent smoker. -
GWG8541 Regular Contributors Cast Iron Sous Vide Canning Team Blue Power User Military Veterans Ohioreplied to processhead on last edited by
processhead thanks Paul
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kyle Regular Contributors Veteran Canning Team Blue Power User Sous Vide Wisconsin Gardeningreplied to processhead on last edited by
processhead thanks for your input. It’s a very solid old fridge. When I get it done, it’s going to be another wood fired smoker like my one made out of a old vending machine, but I might make it where I can slide a propane element in if I’m feeling lazy. Thanks again for responding
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processhead Power User Regular Contributors Smoker Build Expert Bowl Choppers Nebraska Veteran Team Camo
kyle That looks like a beast. Since you are using wood as a fuel, is your plan to have the fire inside or to have an external fire box?
The reason I ask is because a wood fire inside can get pretty hot. You would probably want to come up with some kind of heavy metal base and grate to protect the bottom of the cabinet.
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kyle Please keep us up to date with how that goes. As far as aluminum goes, the only time it is an issue (that I can think of right now) is when you are trying to marinade something in an acidic solution The acidity reacts with the aluminum, how big of a deal this is I really don’t know but I know I stopped doing it within months of doing these videos as someone pointed it out to me and I looked it up. As far as just lined in the smoker it wont be a problem. I put things in aluminum pans when I am smoking/cold smoking all the time.
Get more help with your processing questions and learn more about processing meat by subscribing to our waltons.com youtube page at https://www.youtube.com/@waltonsinc
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kyle Regular Contributors Veteran Canning Team Blue Power User Sous Vide Wisconsin Gardeningreplied to processhead on last edited by kyle
processhead said in aluminum lined smoker:
kyle That looks like a beast. Since you are using wood as a fuel, is your plan to have the fire inside or to have an external fire box?
The reason I ask is because a wood fire inside can get pretty hot. You would probably want to come up with some kind of heavy metal base and grate to protect the bottom of the cabinet.
It is going to be on 1 course of block, where the legs are, it will be filled in, and on the front will be a door to access the fire box. I have skid-plates off a kubota that will be the heat diffuser (its pretty heavy and already has slots and holes in it) between the firebox and smoke chamber. Still in the planning process, but in my head it will work great when its done
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cdavis Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User Sous Vide Oklahoma Team Camoreplied to processhead on last edited by
processhead thanks for your reply.
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bocephus Team Orange Power User Canning Masterbuilt Regular Contributors Veteran New Mexico Sous Vide Gardeningreplied to Jonathon on last edited by
Jonathon It will be interesting following the build, keep us up to date.
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cdavis Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User Sous Vide Oklahoma Team Camoreplied to kyle on last edited by
kyle man that thing looks awesome
. It has smoker written all over it. -
cdavis Masterbuilt Canning Kamado Joes Regular Contributors Power User Sous Vide Oklahoma Team Camoreplied to kyle on last edited by
kyle congrats on a great find.
