Easy to Make Cold Smoke Generator

[jenny_haddow]

Hi

As you are contemplating making your own cure I would urge you to read long and hard all the info you can before you embark on using saltpetre. I know there are others out there who know more than I do, but I would urge caution before you launch into action. You will also need a good set of scales!

Cheers

Jen

[saucisson]

Read this thread, in particular, the third post. As Jen says, be careful you know what you are doing, before doing this

http://forum.sausagemaking.org/viewtopi ... etre+bacon


Dave

[pshriver]

I am ready to bulid the smoke generator. Thank you for the ideas. What is the temp of the smoke when it enters your smoker?
Thanks,
Pat

[saucisson]

I pass mine through a condenser, so I would say it goes into the smoker virtually at ambient temperature. I will be smoking before Christmas I'll measure it for you.

Dave

[pshriver]

How many pounds of pressure and you running the pumps or generators at? Also you longdoes it smoke for. I built one but it seems like it only produces smoke for about 20 minutes.
Thanks,
Pat

[saucisson]

I use a fish pond air pump that pumps up to 45 litres a minute, I don't know what the pressure is, although it can pull a reasonable vacuum. I have it plugged into a dimmer switch so I can control the flow rate. I use lumpwood in mine and it smokes for about 8 hrs if it's behaving itself, though it needs checking every now and then to check the burn has moved up through the lumps of wood.

I checked the temperature at my last smoke and it was at ambient, which was 4 deg C.

Dave

[pshriver]

do you fill it with an already burning lump of charcoal and add dry wood in with it? I am using chips and they seem to burn out quickly.
Thanks,
Pat

[saucisson]

Yes, not a briquette but some real charcoal. I make sure it is well lit using a blow torch and then pile the wood chunks in on top. I'll do a photo shoot on the next session which will be in a week or so. The last smoke I did I used vine clippings which also worked well.

Dave

[pshriver]

That sounds like my problem. I will find some real charcol and then use lump wood rather than sawdust or chips. Is it neccesary to dry out the wood? I am goin gto go aout and hack off a branch form an apple tree.
Pat

[saucisson]

I use a plum tree I cut down 4 years ago, it does need to be dry. But chop up your branch, chunk it and dry it in the oven overnight at say 70 deg C.

Dave

[pshriver]

How big are the chunks? My pipie is only a 2"x10" pipe.
THanks,
Pat

[saucisson]

I put 1 to 2" chunks in a 4" pipe, I'd try and go for 1/4" to 1/2" in a 2" pipe, but that's sheer guesswork on my part.

Dave

[tinca]

Got my flask cold smoker going

all i did was remove the plastic from a large stainless vacuum flask including inside the cup, drill a few holes in the bottom of the flask, through both layers , drill and attach a 15mm tank connector to the cup/lid and one in the side of your barb/trashcan or dustbin over here, connect with a piece of 15mm copper pipe ,and use compression fittings as its easier to get the wood going on the stove, as for air i use my pond air pump ,only a pond air 2 to a ttin which had salmon in it"the small one" just drill a hole in the side and use silicon tubing from the acqurist shop "pond place" through a tight hole near the bottom.All you have to do is sit the flask on top. As for fittings its up to you i used conex as its easier to dismantle and heat the wood up on the stove for me, puipe lenth and diameter , i think 15mm is ok but some use 22mm ,but you may have other options A reguating valve and one way value would be useful from you pond place, but regulating the airflow depends on your pump.
Gaz

[wheels]

Gaz

What a brilliant idea, I was trying to think of what to use to make one of these for when I cold smoke smaller amounts, you've solved it for me - Thanks.

Phil

[saucisson]

My brain needs a photo How do you plug the top of the flask as the original bung is not heat resistant?

Dave