cragcrawler
New member
Hello! I am new to this forum and new to the art of making delicious smoked entrees!
In the area that I live, Traegers have become a popular thing. So much so that the very word of "Traeger" sends me through the roof when I hear it! Although they have their place in the BBQ scene, I didn't feel it was true BBQ when you have to set it and forget it. So began my journey into the world of Smoked BBQ. I new I wanted to build my own and perused the internet in search of the prefect fit for me and my needs. I saw every homemade smoker imaginable from flower pots to file cabinets. The ones I liked best were the UDS ones. Unfortunately I didn't see this site at the time nor did I know about the kit you can buy. Wish I would have because it would have saved me lots of time at the local hardware store and the local hospital getting three beautiful stitches in my hand! None the less I adapted and overcame my obstacles and built the one you see below.
On the outside you will see a door to access the charcoal basket. The basket sits on a grate about two inches off the bottom. you will also see slider damper. there are two, one on each side. You will also see my temp gauge as well as two dampers up top. Inside are two more grates. One to hold the water pan and one to hold the food.
Here it is in action
The first smoke session I smoked this wild turkey I harvested this last spring. I brined it in a buttermilk brine to tenderize as well as to add some moister. I then draped bacon over it for added moister and because it's bacon so why not.
The second smoke session I performed was this chicken my beautiful wife picked up whole at the supermarket. I separated the halves and marinaded them in a creamy criollo sauce.
I look forward to reading all of your posts and learning from all of you! Really looking forward to one day getting the kit from Big Poppa. I have another drum sitting here waiting, but need to convince the wife that the next build will not result in a 400 dollar ER trip!
In the area that I live, Traegers have become a popular thing. So much so that the very word of "Traeger" sends me through the roof when I hear it! Although they have their place in the BBQ scene, I didn't feel it was true BBQ when you have to set it and forget it. So began my journey into the world of Smoked BBQ. I new I wanted to build my own and perused the internet in search of the prefect fit for me and my needs. I saw every homemade smoker imaginable from flower pots to file cabinets. The ones I liked best were the UDS ones. Unfortunately I didn't see this site at the time nor did I know about the kit you can buy. Wish I would have because it would have saved me lots of time at the local hardware store and the local hospital getting three beautiful stitches in my hand! None the less I adapted and overcame my obstacles and built the one you see below.
On the outside you will see a door to access the charcoal basket. The basket sits on a grate about two inches off the bottom. you will also see slider damper. there are two, one on each side. You will also see my temp gauge as well as two dampers up top. Inside are two more grates. One to hold the water pan and one to hold the food.
Here it is in action
The first smoke session I smoked this wild turkey I harvested this last spring. I brined it in a buttermilk brine to tenderize as well as to add some moister. I then draped bacon over it for added moister and because it's bacon so why not.
The second smoke session I performed was this chicken my beautiful wife picked up whole at the supermarket. I separated the halves and marinaded them in a creamy criollo sauce.
I look forward to reading all of your posts and learning from all of you! Really looking forward to one day getting the kit from Big Poppa. I have another drum sitting here waiting, but need to convince the wife that the next build will not result in a 400 dollar ER trip!