Garbage can smoker

WR....... dont get any ideas.. i like the terra cotta pot ideal better and it would be more appealing to look at on the patio then a garbage can.. 

Busted!   

hey, PSR, alton brown did that one , too..fact is, i like that idea lots better.

Yes, I was watching an episode of GoodEats when he built one and have been interested since. He also made a fish smoker out of a large cardboard box and basically the same setup, except long wooden skewers or dowels to support the fish, instead of the grate.  Might try it out, if I have a day to kill, just babysitting it.

I'm an AB fan

****Hijack alert****
Anyone else DVR all the Good Eats episodes besides me?

we didnt dvr them but i think I and WR has seen every episode.

WR....... dont get any ideas.. i like the terra cotta pot ideal better and it would be more appealing to look at on the patio then a garbage can.. 

Busted!   

heh, not even..

You guys know you can pick up a Brinkman smoker at Fred Meyer for ~$65, right?  I'm all for DIY, but not when I can buy something my wife will actually permit food to go in for nearly the same price.  The terra cotta planter idea looks like a real winner though.

I'm all for DIY, but not when I can buy something my wife will actually permit food to go in for nearly the same price.

Thanks insayn! I was somewhat concerned with the galvanized fumes issue myself. Who cares about me and the boyz back in school, but feeding the family is a whole other issue. I seasoned the can with a few smokes with no food (to seal it with carcinogens from wood smoke ), but knowing that I'm probably not vaporizing zinc is reassuring. I'm still a bit cautious about hot coals directly in contact with the bare metal though.

There are other, some might say “prettier” ways to do this, but none more elegant. I’d put my garbage can Chicken, Brisket or Boston Butt up against anybody’s high faluting rig!

I use two 2”x3” vents, one on the lid and one at the base of the can.  I cut the holes with a pair of aircraft snips and if you’re careful, you can use the off cut as the vent. If your not (I was not), any piece of metal (beer can, folded aluminum foil,,, your get the idea) will do.  Just make sure they cover the hole and you can adjust them.  With both vents closed and the lid on, the coals should go out.

 The bottom vent has much more of an effect than the top vent. You have to play with them, but a half vent on both should run about 330 degrees. A little hot for barbeque, but you can vary it a little with the top vent or a lot with bottom, and close both to kill a flare up.

Chip box? I don't use no stinkin chip box! I use soaked wood directly on the coals. Let them heat up bit, then close the vents. Kicks out the thickest, richest smoke that will really irritate your neighbors. About the only draw back of this rig is adding more wood and coals. You have to take out the rack of food to add either. I've saw those grills with the hinged opening, but I was too cheap to buy it.

Last really good cheap tip: Welding gloves from Harbor Fright make excellent barbeque mitts. 3 pairs for $10.

Reach deep into your pockets, get a Bradley and forget about it.

You guys know you can pick up a Brinkman smoker at Fred Meyer for ~$65, right?

Had no clue Yarjammer, thanks for the tip.  Looks like good reviews on them, and sweet price! Thanks
http://www99.epinions.com/reviews/hmgd-Lawn_and_Garden-Outdoor_Cooking-Grills_and_Smokers-All-Brinkmann_Sportsman_Charcoal_Double-Grill_Smoker_and_Grill_815-3060

Reach deep into your pockets, get a Bradley and forget about it.

That's a horse of a different color (or at least temperature). The Bradley is a cold smoker (<120^oF). That's what Alton Brown made the cardboard box smoker for (and the way cool locker smoker in the bacon episode). You can do it with the can, but its really more a barbeque/grill. 
(Those Bradley biscuits and feeder are slicker than snot though). 

The Brinkman works well as a grill but runs a bit hot for barbeque and smoking for my taste. The bottom is open and closing the top vent does not slow it down enough.

I had a problem.. I like gas grills for the convenience (no messing around when I just want to grill a burger quick), charcoal grills for the taste (esp. for roasts), and sometimes I like to smoke up some ribs or a boston butt.

Then I found this... gas grill on the left, charcoal on the right, and a smoke box for the charcoal side on the far right.

That's a nice machine and I seem to remember it appearing father's day (?) or so a year or two ago. Still have not seen what comes out of it though.

One good thing about moving is that sometimes you get to upgrade.  I left he old grill with the folks and I'm now in the market for a new one.  Might just have to take a look at that one B!!!

-Allen

That's a nice machine and I seem to remember it appearing father's day (?) or so a year or two ago. Still have not seen what comes out of it though.

Sounds like you're looking for a dinner invite Wali.  
Anyway, those that made it to the Pacific City tournament last year got to taste some ribs I smoked up the day before.

Brian

I believe galvanized products are coated with pure zinc.  Zinc is not one of the metals that people pay a lot of attention to with regards to toxicity.  This is mainly due the lack of health risks in the general population from exposure to zinc. Zinc is one of a number of metals that the we actually require in trace quantities. However, it can become toxic if consumed in large amounts.  Other examples of tasty metals are sodi-yum, calci-yum, and potassi-yum.  

Zinc melts at a relatively low temperature and you may be vaporizing some zinc which may end up on the food being smoked.   However, I wouldn't think that there is a sufficient quantity to cause a toxic effect.  Some people believe that relatively large doses of zinc protect them from the common cold and take regular zinc supplements.  I would personally eat some yummy fish from your garbage can smoker than take supplements.  The problem is, if I eat to much fish, I have to worry about mercury toxicity.  I can't win for losin'! I guess I will have to drink some green tea to get those heavy metals out of me.

Now the question you all have to ask is, "Do I know what I am talking about, or am I full of crap?".  I guess that was two questions.