Homemade smoke generator for cold smoking. Do-it-yourself smoke generator for cold smoking: device and drawings of available options

At all stages of smoking products, it is necessary to monitor the smoldering of fuel, which means that you constantly throw it up and do not leave the location of the smokehouse for a long time. To facilitate control over the process, the smokehouse is improved with additional equipment - a smoke generator. You can buy it or make it yourself, for example, from a pipe.

Principle of operation and design features

The main purpose of the smoke generator is to provide a sufficient volume of smoke to be fed into the container where the products prepared for smoking are located.

The principle of operation of the smoke generator is quite simple and at the same time effective. Smoke is formed in the smokehouse during smoldering wood-shaving material. The process is necessary to maintain uniform constant combustion, which ensures the flow of smoke to the products lying on the grates, this function is assigned to the smoke generator.

The device is a kind of adapter with a pipe (for air supplied under low pressure) between the chambers for placing fuel and products. Through the branch pipe, smoke supplied from one end enters the product chamber.

As a result of air injection, the smoke is completely absorbed, which remains in the fuel chamber without settling on the walls. This ensures uniform, constant combustion and the supply of smoke to the smoking container, which makes it possible to achieve the highest efficiency of the smoking process with minimal losses.


The design features of the smoke generator are as follows:

  • is a pipe with a round or straight section, sealed at one end by welding;
  • the other side remains free, there is a round (maybe rectangular) hole in the side, which is intended for kindling.

The hole for the nozzle is formed on the side, and directed air flows are created using a compressor, for example, an aquarium one.

The branch pipe can be placed close to the combustion zone or vice versa far away. Different options carry both positive and negative sides. For example, when located near a burning zone, you can get the following negative effect:

  • the combustion chamber becomes limited in height, which affects the combustion of wood and often leads to attenuation;
  • there is an intense smoke exhaust, which contributes to the rapid combustion of wood chips or other fuel material, resulting in a reduction in the operation of the generator;
  • the internal draft in the smokehouse drops sharply, especially when the compressor is turned off;
  • low landing opens access for penetration into chips that have not burned out to the end, which is fraught with clogging of the passage;
  • an increase in temperature from the immediate vicinity of the nozzle from the combustion zone, which reduces the service life of this device.


When creating a smoke generator with your own hands, it is advisable to choose the option of placing the nozzle, in which it will not be near, but away from the combustion zone.

Self-manufacturing

Materials and tools

To construct such a device from a pipe, you need to stock up on the following materials:

  • steel pipe 10 cm in diameter, if the section is round, or 10x10 cm with a rectangular shape;
  • plastic corrugation (length up to 300 cm) or a metal sleeve, which in diameter should be the same as the outer size of the chimney (with a cold smoking method);
  • a metal tube - the length of the segment is about 40 cm, the diameter is -2.5 to 4 cm (with the hot smoking method);
  • a small compressor (you can use an aquarium compressor for this purpose), or a fan;
  • fitting docking with dimensions that correspond to the diameter of the smoke channel;
  • electrical wires, switch;
  • thermometer.


Of the tools to perform the technical side of the process, you will need a grinder and a welding machine. To perform all the work efficiently and in accordance with the specified parameters, you need to be able to handle welding well, know how to weld a chimney fitting to a pipe, make a door to the firebox and a cover so that it is removable.

Staged assembly

To create a full-fledged smoke generator, you must follow these steps:

  1. For the manufacture of the body, 70 cm of a pipe section with a cross section of 10 cm is required. On a sheet of metal, along the outer contours of its cut, we draw elements of the bottom and cover, while allowances for the side walls must be taken into account. This will provide an opportunity for tight docking with the bottom, which in turn will not allow ash to fall out, which will be formed from burnt wood.
  2. We drill randomly small (less than a centimeter) holes on top of the side - they will be needed for air to enter, as well as for igniting fuel.
  3. For the stability of the generator, it is advisable to put it on welded legs (their recommended height is no more than 15 cm).
  4. If the plans for installing a smoke generator have a removable bottom, then you can do without cutting the opening and equipping the furnace door (it must have holes for oxygen to enter) and a hinge for its canopy.
  5. Being engaged in the manufacture of the top cover, you should not create any holes (ventilation or which can be used to create a chimney). Weld the sides along the edge of this element - this will allow the cover to be firmly put on the body of the smoke generator. Do not forget about the insert of the bracket to avoid unnecessary inconvenience when opening the device.
  6. We indent from the top of the case by about 10 cm and weld the pipe for the chimney.
  7. Before welding the fitting to the side wall (we install it so that it is eight centimeters higher than the body surface), start threading the end that will protrude - you will need it to screw in the tee or fitting.
  8. After connecting to the chimney device, we attach the tee. From it, the lower pipe will lead to a fan or compressor, and the one located on the side will lead to a smoking cabinet.


Assembly completed. You can start testing the device in practice.

User manual

In order for the device to work properly and effectively perform the functions assigned to it, it is necessary to follow certain rules for its use:

  1. Before operation, you need to choose a flat insulated surface and install the device on it. You should also not forget that the remains of burnt fuel (ash and even hot coals) can spill out through the holes, so you should choose a surface for installing a smoke generator only one that has reliable fire protection.
  2. Chips and other wood-shaving material are placed in the body compartment. It is better to put the thinnest chips (from 1 to 2 cm) at the bottom, then thicker. At the same time, it is not necessary to form a “well” from them and use too long branches.
  3. If sawdust is used for fuel, which lie denser than branches or wood chips, which blocks the exit of smoke, on a pipe that is thinner (it is at the top), you need to put on an often curled spring or a perforated steel tube. It can be fixed or used as a removable. There are no special quality requirements for this material, the main thing is that the diameter is approximately 2 cm.
  4. Product blanks are placed in the smoking compartment.
  5. The lid must close tightly. After that, the compressor is connected to the fitting, and the smokehouse is connected to the smoke generator using a chimney.
  6. The fuel material is ignited and the compressor starts.


Possible improvements and enhancements

The smoke generator from the pipe can be modernized over time based on practical application and taking into account the identified shortcomings. To improve the functionality of this design, to make it easier and more convenient to maintain, something will have to be finalized and improved.


Ash pan

The smoke generator from the pipe can be improved by making an ash pan for it. Then there will be no need to think about a metal stand for the structure, moreover, such an improvement will not allow ash to wake up through the grid.

In addition, some craftsmen make a gate in the ash pan, which makes it possible to almost completely block the air suction. The presence of this element in the case does not give such an effect, since oxygen enters through the grid.

To make an ash pan, you will need a pipe section that will be slightly larger in the cross section of the body pipe. In its absence, you will have to use welding. The bottom is welded to the segment, and a thin metal strip along the perimeter to the body. It must be inserted into the ash pan, to which the supports (legs) are welded.


Adjustable traction

With poor regulation of the intensity of combustion, and this happens often in the simplest designs, you can make some changes, for example, make a blower that will be regulated:

  1. We weld a segment (10-15 cm) of a round pipe a little higher, where the stack is attached (the lower part of the body).
  2. Drill holes exactly opposite each other.
  3. We take a rod that fits into these two holes in size (it should exceed the diameter of the pipe by 20 cm in length).
  4. We cut out a circle from a metal sheet (3 mm), which is slightly inferior in diameter to the inner diameter of the pipe.
  5. We bend the rod in the shape of a handle and insert the finished element into the holes.
  6. We weld a metal circle.


This completes the process of manufacturing an adjustable damper. Now you can turn it, thereby regulating the amount of oxygen supply.

Collector for condensate

With the cold smoking method, condensate is released during the operation of the smoke generator, which causes problems, especially at low outdoor temperatures. You can eliminate this phenomenon if you build a special device for collecting condensate.

The process is simple, but welding will be required:

  1. Lower the outlet tube of the smoke generator.
  2. Install the condensate collector at the lowest point, welding two pipes opposite each other to it.
  3. The pipe rises again from the opposite side and goes to the smoking cabinet.


Such a refinement will allow most of the condensate to settle in the collection, there will be less difficulties.

Production of a smoke generator furnace

Fans of smoked products who want to increase the performance of the unit can weld a simple oven. This will require the same pipe, but a larger diameter. You can also use a metal rectangular case, which is made by welding. The door is welded, a chimney is installed, which must be fixed at an angle.

It is necessary to divide the space inside in two, fixing a sheet of metal horizontally. At the same time, the part that will be the bottom should be more voluminous, and the one that goes under the top should be smaller. In the lower part, fuel material will be superimposed on the iron sheet, a fire will be kindled. The rest of the smoking procedure is traditional.

From the chimney of the oven to the smoking cabinet, it is necessary to lay a pipe with an upward slope, it must be, albeit not very large. The entrance to the cabinet is designed so that it falls on the bottom, which will allow the smoke to completely envelop all the products located there. In this regard, the cabinet must be installed on legs or some kind of stand.

This design may produce too hot smoke. Additional upgrades will be required to slightly reduce the temperature:

  • One option could be a pipe (respectively, a large diameter), which can be put on the main chimney. To direct the flow of air masses between the pipes, you need to install coolers.
  • There is another way to cool the smoke - to design something similar to a water jacket, which, in addition, when smoking, will provide the consumer with hot water, which will be useful in the household.

A smoke generator for this type of cold smoking method is already a significant expense: a pipe with thick walls or metal, in addition, you will need a chimney. At the same time, it is not recommended to use, for example, unhealthy galvanized steel or asbestos, which is even more dangerous and also has poor thermal conductivity, as a material for the chimney. You will have to make an easy choice between ferrous metal and stainless steel.

The smoke generator is a simple and at the same time very effective device for a smokehouse. It does not require any special costs and materials, it can be made independently from a cut of a metal pipe. If you want to get the excellent traction needed to shorten the smoking process and get a quality product, be sure to make such a device.

Making a cold smoked smoke generator with your own hands is a simple process (photo and video). Its device is intuitive and a person who is familiar with metal work and owns the most common tools can make it in a few hours of not very hard work. The materials used are not scarce - everything can be bought at a hardware store.

The compressor is also homemade. To purchase its components, you will have to visit a computer hardware store. The fact is that the cooling system of the computer is used as a fan. Its advantage over ready-made aquarium compressors, which are recommended by many amateur designers, is that the device consumes electricity more economically, it is easier to adjust and make it cheaper with your own hands, especially since you can choose the fan size.

A lot of smoke is required in the smokehouse, and cold, its temperature should be no more than 30 - 320C. A homemade ejector-type generator does an excellent job of smoking. It works on the principle of self-priming - a stream of clean air moves at high speed through a horizontal chimney pipe connected by a side outlet to the combustion chamber.

A vacuum is created in the pipe, and the smoke from the chamber is drawn into the ejector and fed into the smokehouse cabinet. The device is fundamentally the same for all smoke generators of this kind. The designs differ only in the materials from which they are made with their own hands and in size.

The basis of our cold smoke generator is a piece of pipe with a diameter of 100 mm made of galvanized steel. The length (height) of the body is about 0.5 m. This is quite enough to serve a cold smokehouse cabinet with a volume of about 100 liters. This can be seen on the video. Up to 3 liters of sawdust are poured inside the generator, providing the production of smoke for smoking for 5-6 hours.

Read also:

Garage Smoker Arrangement - Practical Tips

You can make an ejector with your own hands from an aluminum tube with a diameter of 25 mm, connected by a threaded tee to the body. A brass fitting for the air duct connector is installed in the rear part, the front part is inserted directly into the smoking cabinet. On the side of the inlet from the combustion chamber, the chimney fitting is protected by a metal mesh, which prevents sawdust and ash from entering the nozzle.


The upper part of the housing is closed with a sealed lid, the lower part is closed with a damper, which is fixed in the closed position to prevent accidental opening. After the end of smoking, the damper moves and the ashes and unused sawdust are poured out. This is much more convenient to do than using a bolted or screwed bottom.

In the side part of the body, on the wall opposite the ejector outlet, it is required to make a hole with a diameter of 0.6 mm to ignite the fuel and supply the air flow that supports combustion.

The compressor is made from a computer fan mounted in a conventional electrical box and connected to a current regulator that allows you to change the speed.


This is very important to do - the fan is quite efficient and at full power it blows out an excess amount of smoke. The video shows how much smoke it can produce.

Fire extinguisher smoke generator

Another entertaining do-it-yourself construction from improvised means is a cold-smoked smoke generator from a used fire extinguisher. Its body is cut in the upper part at a distance of 5 cm from the neck and used as a cover, there is even no need to dismantle the trigger lever.


Below the cut (6 cm), a through hole is drilled (in two walls) with a diameter of 2.5 mm. On both sides, two tubes 8 cm long are welded (or screwed in, as convenient and accessible) into the holes. They serve as a chimney and an air supply fitting, respectively.

As can be understood from the video, the device is obtained with an upper ejector, and its design is somewhat different from the smoke generators we are used to. The air tube is not located perpendicular to the flue, but coaxially (photo). It is slightly smaller in diameter and is simply inserted into the chimney by 4-5 cm, passing through the diameter of the body through and through. The suction efficiency does not change. You can better understand this process from the video.

Read also:

Do-it-yourself smokehouse from a bucket - an indispensable thing on a hike

The air intake holes are located at the bottom. To facilitate the passage of the air flow, a spring (of any size) is suspended vertically inside, which does not allow the sawdust to become too compact and prevent the movement of smoke. A simple and reliable device made by hand.

Such a generator for a smokehouse from a standard fire extinguisher works quite well for 6 to 7 hours.

12 thousand years ago. An ordinary evening in the kitchen of a Paleolithic family

In fact, cold smoking at home has a lot of advantages - such meat does not spoil for a long time and has a pleasant taste and aroma. Products, due to the gentle effect of low temperatures (and cold smoking usually means smoke treatment no higher than 35 ° C), retain useful substances and amino acids. Dehydration processes occur slowly, which means that the finished delicacy will retain its original structure and more of the necessary trace elements. What is easier and more profitable - to buy a cold smoked smokehouse or try to make it with your own hands from improvised materials? On our portal a gronom.guru you can always find a comprehensive answer to any question.

Smoke is supplied to the smokehouse, where the products are hung, which is produced either by a smoke generator, where sawdust is heated, or in an open way from a barely smoldering fire.

The temperature in the smokehouse must be maintained constant - from + 18 ° C to + 35 ° C. It is believed that more useful properties are preserved when smoked no higher than 24 ° C.

The main feature is that the processing of the product is very slow. From five hours to 5 days. It all depends on how long you are going to store smoked meat. The longer it smolders, the longer it will keep.

IMPORTANT RULE!

Any meat must be prepared for smoking. It is usually boiled or salted.

Scheme of a cold smoked smokehouse - a hiking option

Such a cold-smoked smokehouse with your own hands can be built in just an hour. All you need is a piece of cloth, branches, a sapper's shovel and a box of matches. Interestingly, centuries later, this method of smoking is used frequently.

REMEMBER!

Branches for smoking products are not suitable for any! Coniferous trees smoke heavily when heated, tree bark can be dangerous due to the possible accumulation of pathogens and dirt in it.

But aspen and alder are a great option. It is better to use small sawdust. They must be dry, otherwise the smoking technology will be violated, and excess moisture will get into the products. To color the aroma at the end of smoking, you can add a few branches of juniper or any other fragrant herbs to the smoke generator. Take care in advance about the amount of sawdust, as it is impossible to interrupt the process in the first hours.

Diagram of the device and the principle of operation of a cold smoked smokehouse

The device of a modern cold-smoked smokehouse completely repeats the principle of its “bonfire” ancestors. The only difference is that electric heaters are used instead of a fire, and special steam installations are used instead of smoke.

Scheme of a modern cold smoked smokehouse

The simplest design of a cold-smoked smokehouse consists of two chambers - in fact, the one where the food is dried, and a container for creating steam. The main condition is to cool the steam entering the chamber with semi-finished products to the desired temperature. This can be achieved in two ways:

  1. Cool the steam forcibly with a fan.
  2. Or use the "grandfather's" method: remove the place of heating from the smokehouse for some distance, and the smoke, traveling through the pipes, will cool itself.

In the first case, one cannot do without a smoke generator; all professional mobile smokehouses are equipped with such systems.

Professional cold smoking chambers with built-in smoke cooling system

The second option is to build a traditional smokehouse with a natural smoke cooling system. For example, this one, made of durable metal.

Metal homemade cold smoked smokehouse

IMPORTANT!

For proper cooling, the length of the chimney must be at least 10 meters. This distance is required to cool the smoke to the desired temperature.

Another necessary condition for the success of this type of smoking is a uniform enveloping smoke. This means that it must both heat up and accumulate in the container gradually. To do this, the wood chips are first heated as much as possible, and then the fire is sharply reduced. In the right smokehouse, wood does not burn, but slowly smolders.

Stationary and mobile smokers

You can buy a cold smoked smokehouse today in two versions - stationary and mobile. A stationary smokehouse is usually rented on a turnkey basis. Most often these are such houses with a smoke cooling system. They are installed on a pedestal on a personal plot or the territory of a country house.

Stationary cold smoked smokehouse

Stationary cold smoked systems can be made to order in different versions, for example, they can be monolithic brick buildings.

Brick smokehouse to order

Smokehouses with a smoke generator

Why do you need a steam generator in a smokehouse? The answer is obvious - to create artificial smoke using electricity. Such a system is completely autonomous and does not require fire. A modern smoke generator is not just a heated chimney, but a complex system for creating a uniform, properly purified smoke of the desired temperature.

The device of the steam generator and the principle of its operation in a cold smoked smokehouse

It can be seen from the diagram that the smoke generator performs the function of cleaning steam from pyrolysis gases. We are talking about heavy smoke fractions that settle in special filters and do not enter the smoking chamber. In addition, almost all systems are equipped with a cooling fan.

Principle of operation

Before starting any smoking process, you must first start the steam generator. This condition is mandatory. Thus, you can pre-set the device to create steam at the desired temperature. In addition, temperature meters will help determine the moisture content of raw materials. Wet sawdust will immediately give a sharp increase in temperature when heated.

It is best to buy wood chips in a protective film

Moisture is the first enemy for smoked meat. Bacteria and mold can develop in humid environments. That is why, before starting to smoke, any meat or fish is dried in the open air for a couple of hours.

A step-by-step recipe for making smoked lard in a smokehouse with a steam generator

Pork fat is a valuable product that contains essential amino acids and vitamins. While there is little cholesterol. It removes toxins from the body and has a high calorie content. 50 grams of smoked meat will not hurt even those who suffer from excess weight.

A photo Stages

The first stage is disinfection of meat. We dip the sliced ​​​​slices into a boiling saline solution. We cook for half an hour. Cool at room temperature, put in the refrigerator for 12 hours.

We hang it in the open air for 2 hours so that the fat dries out.

We string the meat on skewers and hang it in a smoke cabinet. Lay out so that the pieces do not touch each other.

We fall asleep alder chips. We put on the electric stand and connect the compressor and steam generator.

The power must be selected to the maximum until the first smoke comes out. Next, we reduce the power by half.

We monitor the temperature - it should not rise above 30 ° C.

Periodically clean the condensate collectors.

This is how the fat turned out, after only 5 hours after laying. You can smoke fat for up to 5 days. It all depends on how long you are going to store the product.

Do-it-yourself smokehouses

The design of a smokehouse for cold smoking at home is not fundamentally different from a purchased one. The only difference is that here you can use non-standard materials and approaches.

How to make a smokehouse with your own hands?

There is nothing difficult. It can be made from improvised means, the main thing is not to violate the technology and the principles of smoking, which we talked about earlier. First, pay attention to the hills and uplands of your site. Do-it-yourself drawings of cold-smoked smokehouses themselves suggest the right solution. What is called, "find the two differences."

Drawing of a cold smoked smokehouse. Cold smoked smokehouse on a hill. Another option for a smokehouse on a hill.

And here's another variation on the theme, this time on a flat surface.

Classic cold smoked smokehouse

Summer residents are practical people, the most unexpected items can be used. For some summer residents, it doesn’t matter what and how to make a cold smoked smokehouse, it’s more important to surprise the neighbors and spread the pleasant aroma of smoked meats throughout the area. Sometimes in dachas you can see smoke chambers made of plastic, cardboard boxes and even cases from old TVs.

Smokehouse from a barrel

Most often, metal tanks of different volumes and depths are adapted for smoking purposes. How to make a smokehouse from a barrel with your own hands? Very simple! The bottom is carefully cut into the container. And then the scheme is standard - a chimney is rummaged, a barrel is placed on one side, a hearth on the other. A chimney is welded to the barrel.

Ditch under the smokehouse from the barrel

Smokehouse from a barrel

There are also portable smokehouses from barrels. This one is equipped with a purchased steam generator.

Smokehouse from a wooden barrel with a steam generator

from brick

The brick smokehouse is a real work of art. These are usually barbecue areas, often gazebos, which provide several options for processing meat.

Option for a barbecue area with a smokehouse

Sometimes you can find entire mangal complexes with a smokehouse.

Barbecue complex with a smokehouse

Creating such a masterpiece requires certain skills, for starters, a small master class on creating a cold-smoked smokehouse with your own hands from this video is suitable:

From the fridge

Sometimes used refrigerators are used. The main advantage is maximum tightness. In addition, the refrigerator is already equipped with shelves, which is convenient. You can make a smokehouse from the refrigerator with your own hands in just one or two evenings.

Outdoor smokehouse from the refrigerator A variant of the smokehouse device from the refrigerator. The smokehouse of their Zil refrigerator.

If the refrigerator is running, the existing thermostat can be used. And if you use a steam generator and a regular heating pad, you can even smoke at home. It turns out quite a capacious smoking cabinet for cold smoking with your own hands. The chimney can be brought out with a flexible tube through a window or ventilation.

From old gas cylinders - step by step assembly instructions

This type of smokehouse is one of the most popular. The fact is that the cylinders are already the same shape. Their metal is durable, the volume is suitable.

IMPORTANT!

Before starting welding work, it is necessary to completely remove the gas and flush the cylinder!

To weld the standard version of the barbecue smokehouse, you will need two standard empty gas cylinders, a grinder and a welding machine. In addition, you will get invaluable experience in creating a cold smoked smokehouse with a smoke generator with your own hands.

A photo Stages

On the blank for the future steam generator, we make a window for blowing from below. From above it will be closed by another piece of metal, which will move along the guides. In the second cylinder under the smoking chamber, we also cut out a window for ventilation.

This is how it will look like in our homemade steam generator, only without the cut cover and the bottom plug. It is important not to forget to weld the hole from the tap.

After that, we begin to cut out the lids in the tanks one by one. We do this according to the markup, and immediately mark out the places for mounting hardware. So that the lid does not recline to the end, later limiters will be welded onto the workpieces.

We weld hinges and corners for gratings in places of blowing.

On the reverse side, we weld guides for the window. The “blind” for the blower can either be pulled out completely, or closed, or opened to any distance.

They made reinforcement from the professional pipe in the lid so that it would not be led.

We are engaged in the future smoking chamber. The lid is sawn according to the marking. Holes are drilled for the skewers on one side and the other. Thanks to this, you can twist them freely without fear that they will fall.

Inside the brazier we weld special legs under the plugs. To, if necessary, cut off excess area for heating and save coal. For example, limit the number of skewers for heating not 12, but 6. The caps will be cut in the shape of a semicircle.

A corner is welded to the bottom for even distribution of smoke with holes and corners for grates for laying products.

At this stage, the steam generator is welded to the main cylinder.

A chimney pipe with a restrictive damper is boiled out.

The pipe has successfully found its place in our design.

Handles and limiters are welded on. Handles are made on the sides of the cylinders for safety reasons, so as not to get caught in the flow of heat.

With the help of a grinder and an iron brush, we clean off all the paint to the metal. We degrease with acetone and paint with fresh paint.

Here we have such a multifunctional brazier.

Electrostatic Smoker

In industrial production, this type of smokehouse has been known for a long time. The essence of the method lies in the fact that due to the different polarity supplied from one side to the steam generator, and from the other to the needles of the smokehouse, an electrostatic field is created, due to which the vapors literally penetrate the products at the ionic level. Such smoking is usually faster and much more even.

Spiked electrostatic smoker

Electrostatic smoker using nails

You can make an electrostatic smokehouse with your own hands. All you need are tools, knowledge of physics, and an alternator. Usually the body is made of plywood, other types of material can release hazardous substances when heated.

Overview of the most popular models

The best option is to do something in between, for example, to build a container for smoking yourself, but to purchase a generator.

Merkel

Here it is quite justified to recall the firm "Merkel". German quality and assembly guarantees longevity of the device. Moreover, the manufacturer offers an extended factory warranty.

Smoke generator "Merkel": scope of delivery

The budget model will cost about 3.5 thousand rubles.

"Bradley-Smoker"

And if you are planning a big party or are engaged in individual production of smoked meats on a small scale, then you can pay attention to the Canadian company Bradley-Smoker.

Bradley-Smoker Eclectic Smoke Cabinet

Electric smokehouses of this company are fully automated. It is enough for a person to set the necessary parameters, and the system will do the rest by itself: from the choice of the smoke generation option to the temperature, it will give a signal after the task is completed.

Where to buy a cold smoked smokehouse: prices, catalogs

It is better to buy a home smokehouse for cold smoking where all related products are produced. Then you can hope that the manufacturer has knowledge in all areas. One of the largest enterprises on the market is the Metal Industrial Complex. The company specializes in metal products of varying complexity.

There is a fairly large selection of portable smokehouses of various sizes and shapes.

MPK company catalog

A camping version of a stainless steel smokehouse can be purchased for 4 thousand rubles. Such mobile options are quite popular. Stainless "suitcases" can be completely improved using a steam generator for the needs of cold smoking. Prices range from 3.5 to 6 thousand per set.

A wide selection of goods and fairly adequate prices are offered by the Samogonnik.ru online store. Lovers of the delicacy will surely pick up something else useful here. The camping version of the smokehouse here will cost 5-12 thousand rubles, depending on the volume and configuration.

Catalog of the online store "Moonshine.ru"

Conclusion

A homemade smoker is a nice way to surprise guests with something special. Smoked meats are always welcome at any feast. And if at the beginning of the article the question was how to make a smokehouse at home, then at the end, we hope that the modality of the question has changed in the direction - when. And right now in early spring, it's time to decide on the timing.

The main role in the smoking process is played by smoke, which “fumigates” products in the smoking chamber. It is on him that the saturation of the aroma and taste of the future dish depends. The smoke generator is responsible for the preparation of smoked meats - a device that is located in the smoking department. It can be purchased at specialized stores or made by hand.

Features of the smoke generator for a smokehouse

A smoke generator is a simple device that allows you not to stand at the smokehouse for hours and control the cooking process. For example, a smoke generator in a smokehouse with a small loading chamber, moderately supplying smoke, ensures constant smoking for 24 hours. It all depends on the design of the device, the technical capabilities of the combustion chamber.

The smoke generator for a cold smoked smokehouse works according to this principle: the sawdust heats up and smolders. The device creates smoke that passes into the smoking chamber of products. After a certain time, depending on the type of food (fish, meat, lard), smoked meats can be eaten. When the generator works offline, the cooking process is greatly simplified - there is no need to constantly check the raw materials for “readiness”, supply air, etc. About that, we already wrote earlier and advised you to bookmark the site.

Characteristics of a smoke generator for a smokehouse

You can make a smoke generator for a smokehouse yourself, however, before starting work, you need to familiarize yourself with the main characteristics of the device:

  • The generator is powered by the mains. The device is connected to a regular 220 volt outlet.
  • The sawdust hopper does not have to be large. The optimal size of the loading section accommodates 2 kg of sawdust.
  • The power of the heating element is 1 kW. Usually, an average smoke generator consumes up to 4 kW per day. The device heats up and, having reached a certain temperature, turns off.
  • The average volume of the combustion chamber is 1 cu. m.

Earlier we already wrote about and advised to bookmark the article.

Tools and materials

Any smoke generator for a cold smoked smokehouse consists of a container, a pump (compressor) and an ejector. To make this device yourself, you will need the following tools at hand:

  • refractory cylindrical container (fire extinguisher, thermos, milk can, metal tube, etc.);

Advice! The most optimal container for the smoke generator will be a container 45-50 cm long and 8-10 cm wide.

Before starting work, you need to prepare everything you need - wood chips, a metal container, pipes, etc., so that all tools are at hand.

  • metal tubes;
  • tees;
  • drives;
  • waste pump, computer cooler, aquarium compressor, plastic bottle, etc.

Manufacturing technology

A do-it-yourself smoke generator for a cold-smoked smokehouse is done in stages:

  • First, prepare all the necessary materials, raw materials for smoking, sawdust in accordance with the selected design of the device. Drawings of a smoke generator for a smokehouse can be found on the Internet.

  • A small hole is made at the bottom of the container or combustion chamber. It is enough to cut an opening with a diameter of 1 cm. It is necessary in order to provide oxygen supply and support the combustion process.
  • A small spring is installed in the receiving section of the container to move the smoke through the sawdust. It plays the role of a chimney, allowing smoke to pass unhindered through small chips. This part is not needed when using large sawdust.
  • The top of the refractory container is tightly closed, creating a vacuum space. During the preparation of smoked meats, air should not leave the device.
  • Metal tubes are interconnected by soldering or welding. Threaded parts are also suitable. They make a smoke generator ejector. It is placed either at the top or at the bottom of the container.

Video: making a do-it-yourself smoke generator for a smokehouse

Important! If you place the ejector at the bottom of the device, then there will be no natural air draft in the device, since the product chamber and the sawdust bin will be on the same level. With this arrangement, the ejector often fades. Therefore, the masters recommend placing the tubes at the top of the container.

  • A homemade smoke generator is assembled and attached to the smoking chamber. It can also be made from improvised means - a cabinet, a wooden container, an old refrigerator, a metal box, a barrel, etc.

Advice! To get a thick and dense smoke in a cold smoked smokehouse, sawdust is used. In no case should you load sawdust of spruce, pine, fir, etc. The smoke from such wood makes the products bitter in taste.

  • Prepared products are loaded into the smokehouse, they must be salted and dried, otherwise the smoking process will be delayed for several days due to excessive moisture of the raw materials.
  • The device is installed on a flat, fire-resistant surface away from flammable devices and materials. The device is connected to the power supply and enjoy the process. Sawdust should be loaded periodically. The smoking process is fully automated, the preparation of "cold" type smoked meats lasts from 12 hours to several days.

  • It is better to smoke in dry, non-frosty weather.
  • The optimum temperature for cold smoking is 35 degrees Celsius.
  • To speed up the cooking process, a heating element is installed under the bunker with sawdust (a heating element from a stove, etc.).
  • If you add grapevine to the sawdust, the taste of smoked meats will become brighter.
  • To regulate the temperature of the smoke supply, you can make the nozzle longer / shorter.

The smoke generator facilitates the smoking process. After connecting the device to the network and downloading the products, you can go about your business. The only thing to keep an eye on is the amount of wood chips in the chamber.

You can make a smoke generator for a smokehouse with your own hands from improvised means. Despite the simplicity of design, the generator device is very functional. Thanks to this device, the smoking process becomes even simpler.

The device responsible for the formation of smoke in the smoking chamber is commonly called a smoke generator. Its principle of operation is simple, electric heaters inside the device cause the sawdust located there to smolder, forming thick smoke. Special thermostats allow you to control the process of smoke formation, if necessary, reduce smoke flows and perform high-quality smoking of products.

There are a lot of devices for smoking products today. People have learned to produce products with smoke using many home-made devices, including smokehouses with smoke generators. This is the most environmentally friendly method of processing products. In the process of smoking with natural dense smoke, all harmful microorganisms and bacteria are removed from meat or fish. The shelf life of such food increases, and the taste is enhanced.

Valuable smoking smoke can be obtained thanks to a good smoke generator, which forms the basis of cold smoking. In the process of heating sawdust and their oxygen-free smoldering, the device creates smoke that enters the smoking chamber. Working in automatic mode, the device greatly simplifies the process of smoking. The result of his work is very fragrant and no less tasty smoked products, which you can always enjoy, having only a smoke generator for a cold smoked smokehouse in your household.

Cold smoking is the treatment of products with smoke at a temperature of 19 to 25 ° C. This process can take many hours or even days. Immediately before smoking, the products are salted and seasoned.

You can please yourself and your friends more often with delicacies from the smokehouse by making a do-it-yourself smoke generator for a home smokehouse.

Externally, the device is a small vacuum box with switches, a sawdust inlet and a small pipe at the top to remove smoke. Inside the box there is a limiter that performs the dosage of sawdust entering the heating element. There is also a container for ash and a control device that is responsible for the temperature of the smoke and the supply of sawdust. This device was initially programmed for an acceptable mode, in which the heating element provides a stable temperature, necessary for sawdust smoldering, in order to prevent their ignition.

Characteristics of the smoke generator

Considering that the smoke generator is a device that requires a fairly long work, it is logical if it consumes a little electrical energy. As a rule, a smoke generator for a smokehouse consumes up to 4 kW per day, after the heating element reaches the required smoking temperature and turns off. The power of the heating element is 1 kW. The device is powered by a 220 V outlet.

The sawdust hopper has a standard volume of 1.5 kg. This amount is sufficient to perform continuous smoking for 1.5 days. Provided that the volume of the chamber is 1 m 3, the smoke generator will provide products with thick smoke and high-quality smoking.

Do-it-yourself smoke generator

The main function that a smoke generator performs in a smokehouse can be explained in this way: imagine a person smoking in a car with an open window. As you remember, all the smoke is drawn out, thanks to the fast air currents, which discharge the air and pull the smoke out of the cabin. Smoke generators work on the same principle.

At the same time, such a device has one indisputable advantage: you no longer need to be around the smokehouse endlessly in order to add sawdust. The volume of the receiving chamber of the smoke generator is enough for 24-hour continuous operation of the device. That is, once sawdust fell asleep, and you can forget about the smokehouse for a day.

It is not at all difficult to assemble a simple device for smoking products with your own hands, it all depends on the technical capabilities of the manufacturer and the options for assembling the main container, ejector and air pump.

Assembling the parts of a homemade smoke generator:

  1. main container. We are talking about the combustion chamber, where the sawdust will directly smolder. The smaller the volume of this container, the faster the sawdust will burn in it, and you will again need to add raw materials.
  • therefore, in order to make a container, use any fireproof container: be it a thermos or an unnecessary used fire extinguisher. The most suitable container dimensions: pipe diameter - 8-10 cm, length - 40-50 cm;
  • at the bottom of the future receiving compartment, make a hole with a diameter of 10 mm. It is necessary to connect the compressor with oxygen and maintain the combustion process;
  • make the upper part vacuum so that there is no air leakage.
  1. Ejector.
  • assembly of this main part of the generator can be made using various metal tubes and any of their connections: by welding, soldering, or ordinary thread;
  • place the ejector at the top or bottom of the main container. The figures show the top and bottom position of the ejector.

Ejector at the bottom of the smoke generator.

  • Suitable for small smoker chamber. Due to its design features, the lower ejector often fades, for this it is necessary to limit the height of the combustion chamber. Thus, the operating time of the smoke generator in continuous mode is reduced. The lower location of the tube does not provide natural draft in the smoker due to the fact that the smoker and the receiving container are on the same level. As a result, when the pump is turned off, the smoke stops flowing into the smokehouse. Such inconvenience can be avoided by installing the ejector at the top of the loading chamber, as shown in the following figure.

  1. Pump (compressor).

  1. Raw materials for smoking.
  • to create a dense smoke smoke, you can use wood of different varieties, except for pine, spruce, and other evergreens. Such sawdust will give bitterness in products;
  • if your sawdust is too small, then complete the design of the smoke generator with one small detail in the receiving container - a spring to move the smoke through the poured sawdust. If the sawdust is large, then there is no need for an additional detail, since smoke smoke will easily seep through the wood.
  1. In our smoke generator, the temperature of the smoke that is fed into the smoker can be adjusted by reducing or increasing the connecting pipe between the smoking chamber and the smoke generator.
  2. Before you make a smoke generator for a smokehouse, decide on a smoking container. Alternatively, you can use a metal barrel, a wooden box, and even a cardboard box. A smoking cabinet can come from an old refrigerator. The door in it closes tightly, which means that a constant temperature will be maintained inside at any time of the year. The refrigerator is not suitable only for hot smoking, as its plastic walls will not withstand too high temperatures.
  3. When the smoke generator is assembled, it is possible to put products, pre-salted and dried, into the smoking chamber. Wet raw materials are not allowed to be used, since the smoke dissolves in moisture, and smoking will last much longer.
  4. Set the appliance on fire, and the process of cold smoking fish will begin.

Do-it-yourself smokehouse for fish

In order not to deprive yourself of the pleasure of feasting on smoked fish more often, make a homemade smokehouse with a cold smoked smoke generator.

There are no striking differences between a factory device and a home-made one, the principle of operation is still based on the same thing.

  1. First, decide on the amount of products that you periodically plan to smoke. A miniature device will be just in case the smokehouse is used once a year, for example. Take an ordinary metal bucket with a lid.
  2. At the bottom, drill a hole that matches the diameter of the smoke generator tube to supply smoke, and make a hole in the lid to remove smoke.
  3. To make a smoke generator directly, you will need the following parts: a frame, a drum, a fan, an electric drive, a heat chamber and a remote control for an electric model.
  4. Manufacturing technology of a smoke generator for a fish smokehouse:
  • the mandrel for the stuffing box is best suited for the main tank of the generator. Cover it with a lid and connect a timer to the device, for example, from a washing machine or microwave;
  • to maintain a normal pressure of 1 atm, install any compressor, as long as it performs its main function of pumping air;
  • in the case when the distance between the smoke generator and the smoking chamber is less than 100 cm, then come up with an additional smoke cooling device;
  • at the bottom of the device, install a ten for incandescent sawdust;
  • put large sawdust in the main container of the generator, turn on the heating element and the compressor;
  • insert the outlet tube of the device into the smoking chamber, where you need to hang the fish in advance.
  • cold smoking process started. After about a day of continuous operation, check the fish for readiness and the amount of sawdust in the smoke generator.

  1. Maintain smoking temperature between 30 and 35°C.
  2. Dry weather will work best for the device.
  3. Add some vine or cherry to the sawdust in the smoke generator. So your products will have a richer taste.
  4. The taste of smoked fish or meat depends on the type of wood chosen.
  5. In order for the smoking process to go faster, an electric heater must be installed inside the smoke generator to heat the sawdust.

Safety rules for the manufacture of a smoke generator

  1. The smoke generator must meet the requirements of fire and electrical safety.
  2. In the event of unforeseen malfunctions in operation, the control unit must be equipped with an automatic shutdown device.
  3. Electrical wiring and other parts must be kept away from the heating element and protected from high temperatures.
  4. The most durable housing for a smoke generator is metal, with a layer of heat-resistant paint.
  5. It is recommended to install the device on a fire-resistant surface.

Rules for using the smoke generator:

  1. First of all, place the device on a flat surface.
  2. Connect the cord to the network.
  3. Fill the chip container with sawdust for smoking.
  4. Connect the outlet pipe of the smoke generator to the smoking chamber, which you fill with products in advance.
  5. Turn on the start button and then the device will perform its work automatically. It is necessary to monitor the level of sawdust in the chamber and add them as they burn. Thus, the process of cold smoking can last for several days. You cannot turn off the device.

You can see the principle of creating a smoke generator for a smokehouse with your own hands in the master class on the video:

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