making a smoker

[brokenbiker]

I have been tanning some rabbit skins for a mate lately and part of the process I have been following is smoking them as a final preservative.

I have been doing this rather crudely using a few poles in the ground over a bed of embers with some oak sawdust on it. works, but rather dependant on the weather.

so as I have some gas bottles lying around I want to make a burner, I am thinking 47kg bottle, hinged door on front, removable tray to hold wood and remove ashes, and then a removable wire rack to fit in the top to lay the skins on, 4" chimney and a hole under the door to draw air in, and maybe a hinged bit to close the air off when I want to put it out.

anyone got any pics of smokers they have made, what is the best and easiest design? I am not really into smoked meat or cheese so it will only be used for skins (unless anyone wants to borrow it)

main thing is to be able to use it even if its raining outside, and to be able to remove the rack for cleaning etc

 

[Premiershipman]

Instructables can be good for smoker plans etc... http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-an-Oil-Drum-BBQ-Smoker/

 

[Wallace]

You really don't like your next door neighbour do you? I'm in the process of building a small double barrel smoker for a friend (he likes to shoot a bit) using a couple of small steel drums stacked on top of each other. I'll double check the capacity tomorrow but they are mini versions of 45 gallon drums and bloody thin material so I don't expect them to last long.

 

[brokenbiker]

You really don't like your next door neighbour do you? I'm in the process of building a small double barrel smoker for a friend (he likes to shoot a bit) using a couple of small steel drums stacked on top of each other. I'll double check the capacity tomorrow but they are mini versions of 45 gallon drums and bloody thin material so I don't expect them to last long.

no I don't, but then again she is.determined to complain about everything I do, so sod her I'm having a smoker. Rabbit hides inly.need about 15-20 on hot embers and they are done

 

[Paul99]

Might be a bit OTT in your case but an old fridge makes for a decent smoker - already has a sealed door, wire racks etc. A baking tray of sawdust in the bottom is all that's needed - just pull it out, empty and refill for the next burn.

 

[Kent]

Why smoke skins? Fish and meat I get but skins? I have done lots of deer skins, hare masks and rabbit skins for various reasons and never smoked one

 

[brokenbiker]

Why smoke skins? Fish and meat I get but skins? I have done lots of deer skins, hare masks and rabbit skins for various reasons and never smoked one

most of the methods I have seen involve a warm wash, then Salt for 2 days, scrape clean then work the hide to soften it again, then smoke to preserve it and keep the fur from coming loose over time. Mine are being used by a mate for decorative things, he has a log cabin in some Forrest somewhere. The smoking doesn't really leave a smell tonthe hide, just colours the skin a bit yellow and it feels a lot firmer. Also stops it stiffening up again if it gets wet for any reason. I use mine for god toys and just wash them, clean the bits of fles off and wrap them around the dummy