Can you really do this???

[gooose53]

On another forum and reading a post and seeing the pics of a guy who built a charcoal smoker out of Hardiplank. This was about the same size as an MES. I'll have to post the pics later tonight as I'm at work. Big question....would this be safe????

Doug

[Texas-Hunter]

On another forum and reading a post and seeing the pics of a guy who built a charcoal smoker out of Hardiplank. This was about the same size as an MES. I'll have to post the pics later tonight as I'm at work. Big question....would this be safe????

Doug

I dont see why you could not use it... The biggest part is cleaning the dust from cutting.. Once that is done and maybe wipe the inside down with oil, I would think your good to go..

Here is the MSDS sheet on there products.. http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/pdf/msds.pdf

Seems everything it refers too as bad is inhaling the dust..

[curious aardvark]

As long as it doesn't give off noxious fumes at temp - no reason at all why you couldn't use it :-)
Looks like it should have good insulating properties as well.

[PitRow]

yeah, hardiplank is pretty much just fiberglass impregnated contrete, so as long as it's not coated with anything (paint, etc.) then I don't see why you couldn't.

[gooose53]

As you could see I don't know that much about building products, I would have never guessed you could do this. Guy says that he built his for about $200 give or take a few bucks. Might have to try this someday.....thanks for the info guys!!

[Richtee]

As long as it doesn't give off noxious fumes at temp - no reason at all why you couldn't use it :-)

There's the key. The MSDS don't spec it at 250...

[Slanted88]

There's the key. The MSDS don't spec it at 250...

And I have had the Coffin at 350 for 4 hours to see if it will give it up. Not yet, Since then I smoke at normal temp's for what is going to the wake dinner.

[DaveNH]

I used this stuff to do the siding when I built my addition. Only product that would match the Masonite on the rest of the house.

It definitely don't burn. We had a few bon fires during the cleanup and in the ashes were the hardiplank cutoffs, still in one piece...lol. The dust from cutting is nasty stuff. Dust mask and a nice breezy day helps with that :).

[Yard Dog]

There's the key. The MSDS don't spec it at 250...

I'm with you Rich, MSDS be damned. If it has chemicals in it, no matter what they are, I personnally wouldn't serve any food that was cooked in a closed chamber containing those components.

Will it work? Sure.

But is it safe to use short term or over an extended period of time without any infiltration of the food by chemicals???

Maybe I'm wrong, but I would find another material. I know folks have used plywood to make smokers too, but you wont see one of them near my food. Just my two coppers worth.

[blues_n_cues]

good old fashioned steel is cheap now & hard to beat though........