DIY brick smoker?

I just burned up my first smoker, it was a cheapie electric one (Brinkmann) I bought for $10 from one of my prof’s in grad school. Lasted me a good 4 years before it shorted out the other day. The sparks flew, and the light show was quite pretty lol. Unfortunately the smell of the burnt electric cord got into the smoker somehow and ruined our chicken.

Anyhow, since I’m buying a house soon, I’m not going to replace it until we get moved in. Thought of making my own out of brick, but I really prefer a gas unit. I intend on having a gas hookup on the back of the house for a natural gas grill.

Was thinking of robbing the burner out of maybe an old gas grill for my fire source. I could use a 55g drum as the main body of the smoker, and surround it (at least most of it) with brick, with just enough room left for me to toss wood in or refill the water pan.

Since my priority is buying a decent gas grill (or perhaps a combo smoker/grill), I don’t want to spend $300 on a manufactured gas smoker.

I’d love to have suggestions or pics of what y’all have done.

At the most, I smoke 3-4 boston butts or 2-3 turkeys at a time, but usually just one bird or one roast, so I don’t want/need a huge smoker.


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http://www.instructables.com/id/Beer-Keg-Smoker/?lang=de

“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson

Wilderness Ride 115

He is a good thread from a while back.
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=105685

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Nice setup

Boat drinks, Waitress I need 2 more boat drinks!