How to Make a Food Smoker

There are so many ways of preparing a certain food item, deep-frying, shallow-frying, roasting, baking, boiling, and so on. Then, there is yet another option, that of smoking. Smoking a food item gives a very different taste altogether and does not require too much butter/oil, making it a healthy food option. On top of that, you can easily make the smoker at home, without much expense. In case you want to know how to build a food smoker, check out the tips given below. They will provide you all the information related to homemade food smoker.

How to Make a Food Smoker

Things Needed

Corrugated Cardboard Box
2 Wooden Dowel Rods, 1/4 to 1/2 inch
Oven Rack
Electric Hot Plate (at least 750 watts)
Cast Iron Skillet
Hardwood Chips
Battery-operated Fan
2 Probe Thermometers

Instructions

First of all, you need to find a heavy-duty corrugated cardboard box. It should have the dimensions of 4 feet by 2 feet or less. It should not have any interior printing.
After you have managed to get the cardboard box, cut a flap hole near its bottom. However, make sure to leave the flap attached on the bottom side, to serve as a hinge.
On the two opposite sides of the box, puncture two holes, with each one of them being one-third of the way down from the top and 1-2 inches away from each side of the box.
Now, take the two dowel rods and slide them through the holes, in a way that they are parallel to each other and extend 2-4 inches on each side.
Take the oven rack and place it on top of the dowels. The electric hot plate, on the other hand, will be placed at the bottom of box.
While positioning the hot plate, make sure to turn it, so that the controls remain accessible and the electric cord extends through the open flap.
Take the wood chips and soak them, for at least one hour, to make sure that they produce optimal smoke.
Take the iron skillet and fill it with soaked woodchips. Now, place it on the hot plate. Remember to adjust the temperature on the device to high.
Insert one probe thermometer into the bottom third of the box. It will help monitor the air temperature near the heat source.
The item that has to be smoked should be placed on the tray.
Place the second probe thermometer into the food, through the side of the box.
Set the temperature of both thermometers probes at 150 degrees F.
Place the fan on the bottom of the box and turn it on.
Now, close the box and let the smoking process begin.

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