No store-bought smoked products can compare in taste and healthiness with smoked products prepared independently at the dacha or in the courtyard of a private house.
All that is required for this is to make a suitable size smoking chamber. If you are going to smoke food hot, you will need a smoke source (combustion chamber). The stove must be in close proximity to the food chamber.
Please note: if you are going to make a smoking chamber for cold smoking with your own hands , then in this case you will additionally need to make a smoke generator .
What materials do home craftsmen usually use to make a smoking chamber?
Most often, everything that is at hand is used - it could be an old refrigerator, a metal barrel, a non-working oven. It all depends directly on your needs.
For example, if you are going to smoke a small amount of meat and fish, as they say, for yourself, then in this case we recommend making a compact smokehouse from a freon cylinder .
There are a dime a dozen such cylinders in ferrous metal, and their prices are affordable.
We will consider the step-by-step process of making such a mini smokehouse We'll tell you all the main points you need to pay attention to and share useful tips.
If you plan to smoke a lot of products in one go, then the best option is to make a smokehouse from a gas cylinder (volume 50 liters).
You can, of course, weld a chamber for smoking meat and fish from sheet metal.
But with a propane tank there is less fuss - in fact, it is a ready-made camera. You will only need to cut out the lid and holes for supplying and venting smoke, and weld the legs.
An important advantage of a propane cylinder is the thickness of the walls. 3 mm metal, unlike a regular metal barrel, will last a long time and will not burn out after several times.
Some home craftsmen make smokehouses from a freon cylinder , which in this case acts as a hearth (smoke generator), and a propane cylinder , which serves as the main chamber for products (meat or fish).
If you are interested in a smokehouse made from gas cylinders, a drawing of such a combined option can be seen in the figure below. There is nothing complicated here - everything is simply simple and understandable.
In addition to the cylinders themselves, you will also need some other materials:
- round pipe (for making a chimney);
- round pipe (to connect the hearth itself and the food chamber);
- professional pipe - for making support legs.
Step-by-step description of the smokehouse manufacturing process
If you have a used freon cylinder at home, you can use it to make a convenient smokehouse. You can use this device both at home and on a picnic or fishing. The result will be satisfactory in any case if the manufacturing technology is strictly followed.
What tools and materials will be needed
To make a smokehouse made from a freon cylinder reliable and of high quality, you should select the appropriate materials and tools. For production you will need:
- empty freon cylinder;
- stainless steel mesh;
- stainless steel wire;
- profile pipe;
- old frying pan;
- dye.
To carry out the work you need:
- welding machine;
- Bulgarian;
- bending machine;
- clamp;
- bolts;
- drill;
- nuts;
- marker.
Some parts can be replaced, but with such a set, the smokehouse from a freon cylinder will be reliable, and at the same time cost-effective.
Modification of the freon cylinder
Before you assemble the smokehouse yourself, you should make sure that the cylinder you are using is empty, clean it and prepare it for further work. To do this, you should follow a number of procedures:
- Check the freon cylinder for any residual pressure.
- Remove old paint.
- Draw a straight line in a circle with a marker.
- Cut off the valve cover.
- Using a grinder, clean and smooth the edges on both cut parts.
Important! The edges must be perfectly smooth, otherwise smoke may leak, which will negatively affect the smoking result and make it impossible to use in a house or apartment.
As soon as the freon cylinder is modified, begin making a hydraulic barrier that will make the structure airtight.
How to make a water seal
To make a water seal you will need a square metal pipe. It should be 1 cm larger than the diameter of the cylinder. To bend the profile, it is convenient to use a homemade machine that is installed in a vice. One side of the curved element is cut off.
This is done with a grinder. It is important that the cut is smooth, otherwise the water seal will not perform its functions properly. After trimming, the edges should be sanded. Next, the edges of the metal profile are welded with a welding machine, having previously secured the profile with a clamp. The finished ring is welded to the body by welding.
Making pens
Handles can be made from available materials. It is convenient to modify the handles of the cylinder. To do this you need:
- The handles are cut in half. These will be the 2 handles for the smokehouse.
- Excess fasteners are cut off with a grinder.
- The resulting elements are welded to a freon cylinder.
These handles make transportation easy. They are reliable and durable, able to withstand both an empty and loaded cylinder.
Refinement of the cover
You can purchase a separate lid for the smokehouse from a freon cylinder. A profitable option is glass. Through this top it is easy to monitor the smoke production. You can modify the existing top part. It has a valve containing plastic elements. The valve must be cut off, since when heated the plastic releases toxic substances. The resulting hole is drilled out.
Some craftsmen advise closing the hole with a bolt, but it can be adapted to connect hooks on which fish and carcasses are hung. A small hole is drilled separately into which the nipple from the bicycle tube is screwed. When cooking indoors, a tube is connected to it, which is led out into a vent or hood. You can also build a thermometer into the lid, which will allow you to monitor the temperature inside the chamber.
Making a container to collect fat
It is important to make a container for collecting fat from the freon cylinder in the smokehouse so that it does not fall to the bottom, since these secretions will heat up there, which negatively affects smoldering, adds bitterness and makes the aroma less pleasant.
Some people make such a tray from the cut off upper part, but then you will have to buy a lid separately. It is more rational to use an old frying pan of suitable diameter. The handle is cut off, and a hole is made in the center into which a pin with a ring is screwed. This part is necessary for easy removal of the grease collection pan. To prevent the device from touching the bottom, a small holder is additionally made from a piece of wire or reinforcement.
What to make a food rack from
If you have a metal stand at home with microwave legs of a suitable diameter, then you don’t need to invent anything additional. It is easy to install into the camera. This is an ideal option for a home smokehouse from a freon cylinder. If there is no such part, then you can make a stand for food from mesh. It is convenient to measure the diameter using a fat collection pan. A circle of the required size is cut out of a piece of mesh. To give it rigidity, the element is attached to a piece of rigid wire.
To secure the stand in the housing, 3 holes are drilled at the seam level of the freon cylinder. Bolts are screwed into them onto which the grate for food will be installed. Some people are confused by the distance from the mesh to the lid. To lower the grille lower, you can use studs instead of bolts. They can be easily bent into a Z shape. In this case, it will be possible to control the position of the mesh by turning the pins.
Firing and painting
After assembly, the structure must be fired. To do this, a fire is built, and a smokehouse made from a freon cylinder is installed on top. At the end of the procedure, the surface is thoroughly cleaned.
In order for the new paint to adhere better, the body should be degreased.
Then a new layer is applied, which must be a heat-resistant paint and varnish composition, since the device is exposed to high temperatures.
Barbecue smokehouse on wheels: made from gas cylinders
If you just need a stationary smoker that will always stand in one place, then, of course, you don’t have to worry too much - weld the legs, and that’s it.
But if you plan to move the smokehouse from a gas cylinder from one place to another (for example, from a barn to a plot, and back), then it is better to make it mobile - on wheels.
We invite you to consider this option in more detail and learn how to make a hot smoked smokehouse .
By the way, the advantage of using a gas cylinder (propane ) is that it can be easily adapted for use as a barbecue and barbecue .
Actually, now we will tell you how to make a universal 3-in-1 design with your own hands - a stove for generating smoke with space for installing a cauldron, barbecue and smokehouse . A very interesting idea for lovers of outdoor recreation.
What tools will you need?
Since in the process of manufacturing a homemade structure you will have to perform various metal processing operations, you will need an appropriate tool for the work.
Due to the fact that we have a smokehouse made from a cylinder (or rather, from several cylinders), we will need a grinder with a cutting tool for cutting it and a welding machine to connect the parts of the structure together.
Please note: you can also use a gas cutter to cut the cylinder.
To strip off the factory paint on the outside of propane tanks, we also need an angle grinder, but with a petal wheel.
To make decorative elements (handles and lid limiters), you will need a machine for cold metal forging.
Since we will not be making a simple smokehouse , but a truly universal design - a barbecue smokehouse from a gas cylinder with our own hands , then to install the skewers and securely fix them, you will need to drill holes of suitable diameter. For this you will need an electric drill.
Thus, for work we will need the following tools:
- welding machine;
- angle grinder (with cutting and flap wheel);
- cold forging machine;
- electric drill.
To paint the finished structure, you can use spray paint. But since the amount of work is not small, it is better to have a spray gun with a compressor.
How to properly prepare a gas cylinder for cutting
Before you start making a barbecue smokehouse from a cylinder , you need to prepare the cylinders themselves. Remember that you cannot cut cylinders without preparation, since propane vapor is present inside, and any spark can lead to an explosion.
Preparation will not take you much time, but will make the job safe. The first step is to unscrew the valve. There are many ways to do this.
Let's consider the simplest and most accessible one. First, the cylinder will need to be securely fixed.
To do this, it is enough to weld the support shoe of the propane cylinder to a piece of reinforcement driven into the ground or the leg of a table in the workshop.
After this, using a standard gas wrench, using an additional lever from a round pipe, we try to unscrew the valve. Usually this can be done the first time. In some cases, you have to make several attempts.
If the valve does not give way (and this sometimes happens), you can try another method - carefully cut off the valve using a hand saw.
In this case, it is advisable to pour water on the hacksaw blade and the valve itself. When cutting a brass gas valve with a hand saw, there will, of course, be no sparks. Accordingly, the probability of gas ignition is reduced to zero. But, as they say, God protects the best - it’s better to be extra safe. It definitely won't get any worse.
After unscrewing (or cutting off) the valve on the cylinder, you will need to fill it with water, rinse and drain. Then we repeat the procedure. It is advisable to use a soap solution rather than ordinary water (or you can simply add dishwashing detergent).
After two washes, we fill the cylinder with water again, and you can safely cut it with a grinder, installing a cutting disc on it, or with a gas cutter.
Making a frame with wheels
Let's start making a smokehouse-barbecue from gas cylinders with our own hands .
First, you need to make a frame with supporting legs, on which the grill will be located along with the chamber for smoking products (they will be connected to each other).
To make the frame we will need the following materials:
- profile pipe;
- round pipe;
- metal strip;
- square bar;
- steel round timber (or reinforcement).
First of all, you need to make the wheels. To do this, first cut two pieces of large diameter pipe (these will be rims) and two pieces of smaller diameter (bushings).
We cut small pieces from round steel and weld them first to the outer part of the bushing, and then to the inner part of the rim. Using a similar principle, we make the second wheel.
We weld two support legs from profile pipes and a strip of metal.
To the bottom of one of the supports you need to weld a square rod (for rigidity), and to the second - a round rod (wheel axle) and put two wheels made earlier on it.
Metal strips are welded at the top of each support, and have a curved shape - so that you can install the gas cylinder in a horizontal position (you guessed it - this will be a barbecue).
Next, you will need to connect the two support legs together. To do this, a frame made of corrugated pipe must be welded in the lower part. Then we weld two more sections of profile pipe at the top of the racks.
If you are interested in a smokehouse made from a gas cylinder with your own hands, you can see the drawings in the picture below.
Well, we continue the process of making a homemade unit with a step-by-step explanation of all the key points.
Assembly and painting of the structure
To make a barbecue with a smokehouse, you will need three propane cylinders. Two of them are 50 liters each, one is 27 liters.
First of all, we cut off the support shoes of all three cylinders. The top part of a small gas cylinder needs to be cut off - it will be used as a lid.
In large propane cylinders, we cut holes in the ends with a grinder or gas cutter.
We clean the factory paint on the outside of the cylinder with a petal circle.
In the cylinder, which will be used as a barbecue, we cut out the lid. In the smokehouse (since it will be installed vertically) we cut out the door. But the principle is the same.
First we make the markings. Then we cut one line with a grinder and weld the hinges.
After the hinges have been welded, we cut the remaining three lines. We install a flap circle on the angle grinder and remove the burrs.
We weld a piece of metal strip to the lid and door so that they do not fall inside the cylinder.
the grill from a gas cylinder to each other .
Inside the smoking chamber there will be removable grates for food. Sections of a round rod are welded at the top so that meat or fish can be hung.
In the grill itself we drill holes on one side - for installing skewers. On the other hand, you don’t need to drill anything. The skewers will rest on the wall of the container.
Next, using a piece of round pipe, we connect the stove to the barbecue. We cut out a door in the stove (it is attached to hinges), and also weld a ash pan with an adjustable damper.
If you need to cook a dish in a cauldron, then simply remove the top lid on the stove. Everything is thought out to the smallest detail.
From the grill side, we weld the table frame to the frame - it can be made from a profile pipe. You can also use a metal corner instead of a corrugated pipe. It's up to you.
A chimney pipe must be welded to the top of the smoking chamber. We weld two fasteners to the grill cover so that a wooden handle can be installed.
At the next stage of work, all that remains is to clean the welded seams using a grinder, and then paint everything with a spray gun.
You should only use heat-resistant paint. If you don't have a spray gun, spray paint will do.
You can watch the video below for details on how to make a smokehouse This idea belongs to the author of the YouTube channel “Pavelpechi.rf”.
Barbecue made from gas cylinders three in one
Safety rules to remember
It doesn’t matter at all what kind of design you make—a homemade cold-smoked smokehouse or, conversely, a hot one, you must follow safety rules both during assembly and during operation.
When working with power tools, you must always use protective equipment: work gloves, a respirator (to protect your respiratory system) and safety glasses to protect your eyes.
All this can be bought at a hardware store. When working with welding, be sure to wear a welding helmet. It is also advisable to work in clothing suitable for this - welding suits can also be bought in the store.
It is imperative to prepare the propane gas cylinder before sharpening it with an angle grinder (however, we wrote about this in detail at the beginning of the article).
Particular care should be taken when using a smokehouse-barbecue, namely during the operation of the combustion chamber - you need to make sure that there are no flammable objects near it.
To avoid hazardous situations, the structure must be installed on a level base. If possible, make a concrete platform for it.
When opening the grill lid, you must also be careful - you need to lift the lid gradually.
If you open the lid with a jerk, a lot of air will get inside the grill and a flame may break out.
If a fire occurs, it must be extinguished immediately with sand (there should be a barrel or bucket with sand or earth nearby). If you pour water on the fire, you can easily get scalded by the hot steam.
How to use this smokehouse
When the smokehouse from the freon cylinder is assembled and improved, you can start smoking. Even an inexperienced user can master the process. To put it into operation you need:
- Wood chips are poured onto the bottom of the smokehouse. Any type of fruit tree, oak, alder or beech, will do. Do not use coniferous resinous species. They will add bitterness to products.
- A stand is installed on the wood chips under a container to collect fat. A frying pan with a handle is inserted on top one by one, and a grate is placed on the studs.
- The products to be smoked are laid out on the grill and covered with a layer of food foil.
- The lid closes tightly.
- The water seal trough is filled with water.
- A smokehouse made from a freon cylinder is installed on a grill or stove.
- If smoking is carried out indoors, a hose or flexible tube is attached to the nipple in the lid to remove the smoke.
- After 20-30 minutes, you can turn off the smokehouse if you are cooking fish. Meat will take about 40 minutes, lard will take 1 hour to prepare.
After each use, the freon cylinder smokehouse must be washed and dried.
This way the device will last longer, and its appearance will remain attractive.
Drawings, diagrams and dimensions of the smokehouse
Hot smoked products are cooked from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours. Cooking time depends on the size of the piece, the presence of bones and the density of the meat. The closer the product is placed to the firebox, the faster it smokes. Like any design, a smokehouse made from a freon cylinder has its own functional features.
The firebox is placed under the smokehouse, wood chips are added to the bottom, which smokes when heated, and the food is cooked
An open fire source is used as a firebox: a barbecue or a fire. Some smokehouse models are installed on an electric or gas stove. The main task is to heat the bottom to the smoldering temperature of sawdust.
The chamber from the freon cylinder of the smokehouse is made airtight for uniform distribution of the smoke flow
If the structure is sealed, the smoke heats all levels. Multi-level smokehouses made from a freon cylinder allow you to simultaneously produce hot and cold smoked products. The lower level receives hotter air, and the upper level receives warmer air.
Many smokehouse models are equipped with a water seal
A U-shaped recess around the perimeter of the smokehouse's freon cylinder chamber creates a barrier to outside air and increases the tightness, preventing the smoke inside from evaporating. Water is added to the recess, which reduces the amount of harmful fumes from the smoke.
The structures must have a grease trap to prevent fire inside the chamber. Attention! The grease receiver will ensure even cooking. If grease drips onto the wood chips, it will ignite, causing the food to taste bitter and develop an unpleasant black crust.
At different levels of the chamber from a freon cylinder there are gratings for products. On the upper tiers there are rods with hooks for hanging meat. To ensure that the fish is tasty, it is prepared by allowing excess smoke to escape through a chimney.
What can you cook
Those who love of smoke , from fish to lard. The most common products are:
- loin;
- ribs;
- ham;
- sausages and sausages;
- chicken carcasses;
- any fish.
Those who like to experiment can try creating their own recipe and smoking their favorite foods, such as cheeses, fruits or vegetables. Use your imagination and don’t limit yourself in anything!
The smokehouse made from a freon cylinder is easy to use and efficient.
The collapsible design facilitates easy cleaning, and the presence of a water seal allows you to create delicacies even in winter in a closed apartment. Having spent a little time and effort, you will be able to teach an indispensable assistant in preparing aromatic and tasty smoked meats.
Homemade smokehouse made from a gas cylinder with your own hands: photo and description of making a homemade product.
I wanted to make my own smokehouse; I had this empty freon cylinder available.
I plan to smoke at home, so I decided to make a water seal. I made it from a 260 mm ring and a 15 mm bent profile. Bulgarian cut out the inside.
Then, the cylinder was cut (the cylinder must be cut completely empty, observe safety.), The water seal was welded to the cylinder.
To make the smokehouse stand more stable on the gas stove, a ring made of a profile with a diameter of 160 mm was welded to the bottom of the cylinder.
I cleaned the container of paint, Bulgarian with a petal disk, initially I thought of painting the structure with heat-resistant paint.
Advice! It is better to clear the container of paint from the very beginning, and then work with it.
After cleaning the smokehouse, paint remained in hard-to-reach places, I burned it with a gas torch. And then it dawned on me, just burn the entire structure with a torch. I made two holes in the lid and inserted a grill thermometer and a nipple from the camera there.
I made this stand for the container.
To hang smoked products, I unscrewed the faucet from the lid and screwed in this device in its place. I took an M12 bolt and two pieces of studs. I cut a thread in the lid.
And here is the result. The smokehouse works perfectly, there is no smell of smoke in the apartment.
Homemade author: shatoha-75
I looked at different smokehouses and decided to make myself something similar from scrap materials. What came to hand turned out to be a freon cylinder.
What tools and materials will be needed
In order for the design to be of high quality, the right materials are prepared and selected. To make a hot smoked smokehouse from a freon cylinder, you will need the following tools:
- one or two empty freon cylinders for the housing;
- mesh size 1*1 cm made of stainless steel for level partitions;
- metal profile for arranging a water seal;
- container for collecting fat;
- heat resistant paint.
Additionally, you will need an angle grinder, a welding machine, and bolts.
Preparing the balloon
To ensure that the smokehouse can be used in a residential area, a water seal must first be placed on the chamber to ensure a tight seal. The freon cylinder is emptied, making sure that it is not under pressure. Only after this do they begin to take action:
- Markers are applied in a circle using a marker. Cut off the top of the balloon.
Align the edges of the parts with sandpaper or a sanding attachment on a machine.
Attention! To ensure that the lid seals tightly with the chamber and does not allow smoke to pass through, the edges of the elements are carefully ground with a grinder for a tight fit. Otherwise, it will be impossible to use the smokehouse in the apartment. - A ring is made from a metal profile with a cross section of 15*15 cm using a pipe bender. Use a grinder to cut off the inside. The water seal is tried on the lid.
The seam is connected by welding, and burrs and irregularities are cleaned with a grinder - The water seal is welded to the chamber.
Before welding, the surface is cleaned of paint to ensure good adhesion of the parts.
