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  • Questions about build costs

    I have access to an industrial chiller that's made of box steel and I'm thinking of turning it into a smoker. It stands almost six feet tall and around 3' W X 3' D. I'm thinking about using 1/3 for storage i.e. wood, lump, ... Use about 1' high for the firebox and the rest for the smoke chamber with 3 shelves. I'm going to use the original sides and weld to the frame for the outside skin (already insulated). What do you estamte the cost for expanded metal for the 3 shelves and a firebox would be and the added cost to skin the inside would be? I already have the added box steel for the the shelves.

  • #2
    Hard to tell... if you find cheap scrap for the work...cheap! If ya gotta buy stuff.. well...

    You also gotta figger labor... I dunno if you can cut/weld in general fab the parts.

    And another rule of thumb: Add at least 50% to anticipated costs ;{)
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    • #3
      Hey Green horn,

      It would be tough to estimate given your scenario because there are a lot of variables still out there. What are you going to skin it with? Will you need any framing? Hinges? Handles? What type of air intake? What gauge of skin? Exhause vent? Are you handy and do you plan to do the work yourself? Do you have a welder?

      Like Rich said, the cost of materials can vary greatly depending on where you get your stuff...if you can find a good salvage yard you can find some amazing finds for cheap. Take a look and see what you can find.

      Obviously the thicker you go for the skin the more it is. If you are buying retail, generate a list of items that you will need. Here is a link to an internet source for materials for the purpose of gauging prices...I use this as a guide only and have never purchased from them...my local place is usually cheaper and no shipping. http://www.metalsdepot.com/

      Look around and see what you can find locally...I bet you can get this done pretty cheap if you are doing the work.

      Good luck, I can't wait to see it in action.
      BBQ Eng.

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      I built the Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden Smoker Build

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      • #4
        Then ya gotta consider the thought that you put into it... Take Rich's unit for instance, The damn things gotta be priceless just in that area alone....

        I almost did the freezer Q a couple times now. The first one a stainless commercial model worked perfect when I plugged it in. Still working great better than a year later.



        Had it checked when I had my freezer looked at and it'll be around a while.

        The second was an old 50's Freezer I originally traded into for a cooker.





        Hadn't been able to bring myself to kill it off the rest of the way yet. It ferments sausage well though.

        Not quite 6' tall this one has served well so far. I can pretty much run it with a single probe along with my quicksticker.

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