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I need suggestions on what to use for an electric heat source on a fridge build.

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  • I need suggestions on what to use for an electric heat source on a fridge build.

    Ok I am able to get a non working fridge and I need some suggestions on what I can use for an electric heat source. I have 3 other smokers so I don't really need this one but it seems like the right price and I wouldn't mind having a electric smoker. The problem is I know absolutely nothing about electric heating elements, PID controllers etc. I don't know how many watts or anything that I would need. The fridge is lined with metal and has a glass door so I would probably just need to cut an intake, exhaust and come up with a heat source as I will use my Amaze-N-Smoker for the smoke source. I guess I won't know for sure if I need to gut it until I can see it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I don't need anything fancy I just want something that I can set it and forget it. I have been doing lots of research but I am not sure which direction to go. Being I know nothing about electric heating I just don't want to get myself in way over my head.
    Attached Files
    Propane Smoke Shack
    UDS
    Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain
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  • #2
    Are there some electric units that I have to stay away from because they won't work or hold up to the cold weather here in ND? I know you guys use your MES's when its cold but have read how some have had issues with the cold messing up their unit. Also ideally I would like to have the controls on the outside of the smoker so I don't have to open the door to turn the heat up or down. I would like to be able to get the temps to around 225-250.
    Propane Smoke Shack
    UDS
    Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain
    sigpic

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    • #3
      I would think these replacement elements would work for what you need, especially if the fridge is insulated.

      http://cgi.ebay.com/Brinkmann-Smoker...item230d415344

      I was looking at this same unit a while back while contemplating an electric build. I think rigged to thermostat would give you good temp control
      https://youtu.be/ZcqprrIlbcIli

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      • #4
        Check out this place... They have about any size element you could ever want...

        http://www.drillspot.com/hvacr/heati...strip-heaters/















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        • #5
          Is there anywhere that has a one stop shop set up? I am looking for a whole kit element, thermostat, probes etc. I am searching for info but I have no clue how to rig up one of those elements to a thermostat or what you would even need to buy. At least if I can find a whole kit I will know I have everything since I am clueless on what I even need.
          Propane Smoke Shack
          UDS
          Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain
          sigpic

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          • #6
            Someone else can chime in on this but I don't think that glass door is a great idea. At the least it's gonna get covered and stained with smoke, plus the heat factor my make it want to break.
            Mark
            sigpic


            "Likes smokey old pool rooms, clear mountain mornins. Little warm puppies, children and girls of the night"?
            Smoked-Meat Certified Sausage Head!

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Mark R View Post
              Someone else can chime in on this but I don't think that glass door is a great idea. At the least it's gonna get covered and stained with smoke, plus the heat factor my make it want to break.
              Dang...who was it had kits for this stuff... I bet Danger Dan knows.

              Yeah, I had ALMOST tried the glass doors in the Beast. Fully expecting them to shatter...but one broke during construction, so that solved that. Used "rolled" sheet metal and hi-temp paint

              In God I trust- All others pay cash...
              Check out the Mad Hunky and products at https://madhunkymeats.com or https://www.facebook.com/MadHunkyMeats
              Lang 60D, The Beast, 18 and 22 WSM, Brinkmann Backroads trailer, Weber 22 Kettle, gutted MB burning watts

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Mark R View Post
                Someone else can chime in on this but I don't think that glass door is a great idea. At the least it's gonna get covered and stained with smoke, plus the heat factor my make it want to break.
                Yea I hear ya I am a bit worried about that as well. I don't know if it is tempered glass or not. I guess I don't know anything yet as I don't have it yet but I still want to give it a try. I have seen a few people this off with the glass but I don't know if they were smoking at temps around 225-250.
                Propane Smoke Shack
                UDS
                Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain
                sigpic

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Richtee View Post
                  Dang...who was it had kits for this stuff... I bet Danger Dan knows.

                  Yeah, I had ALMOST tried the glass doors in the Beast. Fully expecting them to shatter...but one broke during construction, so that solved that. Used "rolled" sheet metal and hi-temp paint

                  What do you use to heat yours Rich?
                  Propane Smoke Shack
                  UDS
                  Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain
                  sigpic

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Heck if the glass breaks you can just cover it with sheet metal like Rich did.
                    Mark
                    sigpic


                    "Likes smokey old pool rooms, clear mountain mornins. Little warm puppies, children and girls of the night"?
                    Smoked-Meat Certified Sausage Head!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Mark R View Post
                      Heck if the glass breaks you can just cover it with sheet metal like Rich did.
                      Yep that's what I was thinking. And most of the time I would say I would use this for sausage, fish, snack sticks, bacon, etc. so I would probably be smoking at or under 150 degrees but I wanted the capability to go up to 250 if I wanted to.
                      Propane Smoke Shack
                      UDS
                      Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain
                      sigpic

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                      • #12
                        Well, long story there, but propane. And wood. Heh...

                        Here's a couple more pix...

                        http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/album.php?albumid=45
                        In God I trust- All others pay cash...
                        Check out the Mad Hunky and products at https://madhunkymeats.com or https://www.facebook.com/MadHunkyMeats
                        Lang 60D, The Beast, 18 and 22 WSM, Brinkmann Backroads trailer, Weber 22 Kettle, gutted MB burning watts

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I've got one you can have for the price of the postage.
                          It looks just like the Brinkmann, only it has 150 more watts (1650) and has a stat. I'm just not so sure that it will do what you want, temp wise in your kind of weather.
                          sigpic
                          New Braunfels Bandera
                          New Braunfels Hondo
                          4-22.5" Weber Kettles
                          1-26" Weber Kettle
                          24"X72" Reverse Flow-Made in the U.S.A. by me
                          Navy Corpsman-'69-'73 Semper Fi

                          https://www.facebook.com/highrollersbbq/

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                          • #14
                            So would this work for a controller on my smoker?

                            First thing getting a cooking controller like this. http://www.auberins.com/index.php?ma...products_id=44

                            Maybe not this exact one but just so I can get an idea of what to get.

                            Basically I would take the probe and plug it into the sensor port and that would go into the smoker to monitor the internal temp of the smoker. Then I would plug my heating element into the "Output" port on the back and the controller should turn the heating element on and off to hold the correct temp I set. Some type of element with a three prong power outlet like this is what I was looking at

                            http://www.basspro.com/Brinkmann-reg.../67284/-999424



                            Am I missing something here or would this Controller work for controlling and maintaining the temp I set it for?
                            Propane Smoke Shack
                            UDS
                            Great Outdoors Smoky Mountain
                            sigpic

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              i'm not an expert but it makes sense to me
                              sigpicbrinkman pitmaster deluxe
                              members mark upright propane smoker
                              kingsford bbq
                              23"weber kettle






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