DIY Convert an old refrigerator into a meat smoker or smoke cooker

[Hellitsme66]

I have a question for you. What happened to the door? Did it melt and also the trim on the door opening

[excalibur440]

@Hellitsme66 The inside door skin is made from something like a compressed wood pulp for lack of a better word. it did not melt nor did it catch on fire. However from the steam from my water soaked wood chips, it did warp. I would suggest replacing the inner skin with sheet metal. The trim was weather rotted and only lasted two or three firings. I replaced the seal with a piece of cheap rubber garden hose by screwing it onto the sheet metal. I have since bought a Traeger grill

[excalibur440]

@excalibur440 to do my smoking and cooking on, so I havn't used the fridge for sometime now. but, it was still working like a champ when I parked it. For other modifications and issues I ran into see my past replies. Thanks

[margosdad]

Hi and thanks a bunch for sharing your project! Looks great. Just wondering now that you've had your unit for a while, what temperatures low and high can you maintain with the two burner unit. I believe I've the same fridge that I just picked up.

Thanks Al

[excalibur440]

@margosdad to be honest I never took it over 230 degrees, which was my target. With the burners set at High under the chip pan and Med on the open burner. My results where: 15 min=150 degrees, 45 min=215 degrees. As stated my target was 230 which it would hold with the pan burner on med and the open burner turned off with a cap(spray can lid) over the top vent pipe. You should be able to maintain and hold any temp below 230 with only 1 burner and playing with the side and top vents.

[margosdad]

@excalibur440 Thanks for the quick reply. On your air vents down on the bottom, do you find that those were adequate or would you add more?

Those are the temps that I want to deal with as well. I've got my Fridge gutted out and whatever rust on the exterior removed. Ready for paint, and setting up the inside of the smoker. You've really encouraged me to get going. I've been wanting to upgrade my little unit for some time. Thanks again!!

[excalibur440]

@margosdad yes, they did appear to be adequate. The inside of mine was a baked on enamel...I would not worry about painting the inside once you get the rust off of the panels..for fear of toxic fumes, or at the least tainting the taste of the finished product your going to cook in it. I know it might not look as good but I would just give the bare metal area's you have from removing the rust a good coat of cooking oil. that will seal the metal. IMO....good luck

[79minister]

dude this is cool, got to make one!!

[jollytoken]

This is so cool! I'm very encouraged to try this now.

[bantyhenrants]

Nice video. I want to convert an old stove into a smoker. It won't hold as much, but its already made for high temps.

[dbmrhi]

Get job but I have to say that for that cool looking old fridg I would have converted her into a beer tapper.

[marcjtdc]

seems easier to buy sheet metal and make a box.

[ManCaveSmokers]

I made a smoker out of an old fridge just like this one back in high school shop class for my year end project. I didnt use a heating element, i made a real smoker. Custom fabricated a steel box from 1/4 steel sheets and made a 3' L X 18" W X 2' H box with a 3" steel pipe coming out one end and made a 90 degree elbow where it comes up through the bottom of the fridge. I use stick only for my heat source.

[excalibur440]

@ManCaveSmokers That's a great idea, guess I never thought of that. A guy could use a little stove let what folks use in sheep herders tents... I my just redue mine, I have a bunch of apple and cherry wood. Thanks for the idea.

[ManCaveSmokers]

@excalibur440 apple is a very good smoke for meat.. creates a smooth smoke taste not a real thick deep smoke taste. Hickory will give you a real deep smoke taste, i prefer to only use hickory on big cuts of meat like pork butt and brisket because the smoke is so strong. Dont get me wrong you can use apple on your big cuts also, its just that apple is harder to get ahold of then hickory. Cherry is good to use also if you like a sweeter smoke.. Cherry is even more difficult to get ahold of

[112tapp]

i have a freezer about the same vintage i want to convert also is there anything toxic in those old freezers like asbestos or anything in the fiberglass that could be toxic when heated?

[kb7rky]

My dad and my granddad did the same thing years ago, except they would put the wood chips in the bottom, let those burn down to hot smoldering coals, and let the drippings fall onto those, which helped keep the smoke going. No burners or drip pans needed. Best tasting smoked fish ever.

[michaelmerritt45]

Put a water pot on other burner to moisten meat as it cookes can even use beer wine Ect.. . Great job love the Q.

[bjornjoseph]

hey guys please keep in mind as i was completly dumb about it but it HAS TO BE AN OLD FRIDGE!!!!! made out of aluminum or any metal... dumb ass me used a newer mini fridge (90% plastic!) and all i got out of it was a cloud of noxious fumes... lol... you can however use a regular cheap bbq grill to smoke. set your coals and soaked wood to one side of grill and place meats on opposite side... indirect heat. while wood dries it smokes

[DeRex9]

Great smoker. Is the door seal and plastic supporters holding up to the temp?

5*****

D...:)

[bjornjoseph]

just made mine from an old mini fridge!!...

[blankfrank23]

Do you have that online anywhere? I like this idea, but I live in the city and don't have the space to do this with a full-size fridge. I was thinking mini-fridge, but I was hoping I could see one before I try it myself.

[harrypalms88]

Thanks great video very helpful indeed

[sethy2004]

What did you do with all the juice that was dripping on the burners?

[excalibur440]

@sethy2004 Good question, that was not addressed in the video. I used a light weight aluminum foil roasting pan and suspended it from the bottom rack with wire. Not too high tech, but it does a great job.

[richandrene]

Great Vid Cheers

[excalibur440]

@richandrene

Thank you.

[dsearcy1]

You can't use galvinized anything in a smoker; it releases toxic fumes.

[excalibur440]

@dsearcy1,missrunt and kawill81971

You comments are non-founded and misleading to people. The galvanized sheet metal, is Zinc oxide with a working temp of 392F. The whole inside is Porcelain coated steel (same thing is on your BBQ grills.) There is no paint on the interior. The factory wiring was removed, the inside of the door is now galvanized sheet metal. The wiring for the burner is exterior so there isn't much else going on with the thing. Thanks for the concern though.

[BobTheSubgenius]

@excalibur440 Nice job, bud. :) I really like your idea for the sliding vent control - so much so that I'm going to ste....ahhhh...borrow it. Thanks.

The big difference between yours and mine, apart from size (this is my first smoker - a learning curve so I'm using a bar fridge*) is temp reg. I used probe and oven controller to regulate a stovetop burners. It works really well. OK....little work for me to revise venting.

*all plastic and sprayed insulation removed......& all salvage.

[excalibur440]

@hindimjr

No doubt Huh,

Nah, I just need to make one out of a galvanized trash can with a plastic glad "trash bag" liner and use chipped railroad ties for the smoking wood...I'm sure people would still dawg a guys best efforts...LOL

Thanks for the giggle...

[missrunt]

Nice job! Just be sure to get rid of all the galvanized and plastic bits and you will have yourself a smoker to be VERY proud of!

[kawill81971]

Thats a good idea, the one things I see wrong are using Galvanized metals instead of stainless.

[TheNootles]

Don't get a lead lined one in the case you find it sell the lead

[TULFO0210]

It would have been awesome smoker if you have installed the electric grill on the side as the dripping of grease on the bottom would cause electrical short on your grill or fire , When you open the door, it will make a smoker out of you instead, hope it's grounded, also the rubber seal might not last very long and it will melt and sag

[TULFO0210]

absolutely brilliant idea, the only problem is with all the grease dripping @ the bottom, it could short electrical wires and you could end up on the BBQ end of it when you open the door,Hope its grounded, also the rubber seals on the door could melt, although you're only running 200-250 degree heat , it will not last . Good luck and enjoy your Smoker

[jek279]

did the plastic parts hold up

[lp000028]

heatng refrigerator could it cause toxin gasing from the insulation?

[BobsAutoRepair]

Heck yeah...get her smokin!

[bvrbm]

great idea,i found that a old chest freezer works well also they are lined with sheet metal not plastic great idea again thanks mate

[classicoutboards]

awesome

[FinsterFlummoxing]

Awesome! You must be from Polk County!

I love this!

[tommiegunnz]

Actually the reason I opened 'er up was after tasting stuff off a friends BRadley smoker I thought mine tasted a little bitter (creosote) and thought I wasn't getting enough smoke out of the smoker. My smoker actually now runs hotter on less charcoal than before and a much more pleasant smokey taste. And yes your are dead on, easier to close up than to open up, but i don't bother closing it down until I'm done smoking.

[excalibur440]

That's awesome, I love to hear when someones ideas beat out anything industry has manufactured. That bitter taste could have just been a sappy knot that got missed by your chip maker, doesn't matter now, it's sounds like you've got yours dialed in. Makes me want to go get a roast out of the freezer and make up some jerky for this weekend..hmmm , LOL

[tommiegunnz]

NIce smoker! I built a frdge smoker about a year and a half ago, they work great. Mine is now charcoal fuled and holds heat even in our cold Canadian winters!! ONe mod I made was I changed the exhaust from a 1 1/2' ABS to a 4" chimney. I run her wide open all the time and found I get better flavour and smoke penetration! May not work for you but thought I'd throw it out there.

[excalibur440]

Thanks, I have never had any problems with it over heating to the point of justifying the larger exhaust. But, it is easier to close down a 4" then it is to open up an 1-1/2 when it's running...LOL

Thanks for the thought.

[wyattkoehler]

Well I picked mine up yesterday and I'm gonna start on it this afternoon was wondering how you attached the top flu vent pipe and sealed it and how the plastic was holding up . Since you have used it a few times now is there anything you would change like maybe putting A damper on the flu pipe

[excalibur440]

Yep that works too, and there pretty slick....hmm, maybe I can come up with something to do with my old Photcopier...LOL

[SCOSH123]

Did the fridge work befor you turned it into a smoker?

[excalibur440]

No, the fridge did not work.

[Energi2DmaxX]

No sure what part of the country you live in, but I bet you could mod your Fridge smoker to be a cold smoker too, Bacon, Ham Sausage ect, also good job on your project, but i hope you had some sort of resperator, old fridge might be loaded with asbestos! mabe mabe not just, looking out for you, and happy bbq/ smoking!

[HeadTater]

That is awesome. The fridge is up there with the filing cabinet in neat-factor.

Something that is not as flexible, but it is cheaper and more portable, is the trash can. Just put a hot plate or Smokey Joe at the bottom. Put a grate at the top for your meat and you got a smoker. Under $50 if you don't have to buy the grill or hot plate.

[excalibur440]

Yep, your totally right. a trash can works great for smoking, heck I've ever heard of people cooking whole turkeys in them. Some one could also make a cheap smoker out of plywood that works well too...Thanks for your comment.

[wyattkoehler]

so tell have you smoked any neat in it i'm gonna build one but was wondering if your having any problems with the open burners in the bottem of it with grease fires thank you

[excalibur440]

Good question Wyatt, yes I have smoked and cooked many different types of meat. The only meat that I have had problems with was (cooking) around 30lbs of wild boar. Although I didn't have a grease fire it sure made a mess out of the inside before it was done. I have since made a deflector tray that slopes to one corner below my bottom rack with a soup can to catch any drippings. I havn't had anything as messy as the pig into since though. Thanks for the great question...

[VivianRinSC]

Any chance of an update vid on your modified frig smoker?

[qsk2pc602]

had to see it again.i sure want one.i dont need that much room so i am looking for a laundry drier. i like that they are made to take some heat so i dont have to worry so much about burning up parts or maybe getting me sick.the.opening is round so a will cut it to the door opening size.i was thinking about covering the thing with used ceder pickets for R value and a rustic smoke house look.give us a up date what did you cook.the second burner perfect for a water bowl. 2 fuels its a HYBRID !

[qsk2pc602]

retro appliance are popular with SOME people.this was not a retro this was a old.see the freezer.he talked about solor equipment,so the goal is to not to use old antiquated appliance, but produce alot of food off the grid.perfect choice well done excal.thanks

[excalibur440]

The support is appreciated. Thanks

[idahowheelers]

Who cares if its a old fridge working or not!?! Nice job on the smoker

[excalibur440]

Thank you

[excalibur440]

Hey idahoWheelers where are you at, I'm in Ontario Oregon.

[elitechaos5852]

Ill bet you make some mean jerky.

[excalibur440]

Yes I do, but my main objective was to be able to cook or preserve meat without the use of the electric grid. The Smoker/cooker works just as well with charcoal under a cast iron skillet holding the wood chips.

[MrJRamal]

you should restore it as a refrigerator instead of destroying a great refrigerator

[excalibur440]

considering I saved it from a tin baler, it has a pretty good life.

[SCOSH123]

Did the fridge work?

[excalibur440]

As a Fridge or a Smoker?

[alikokos]

nice job. hope you show us how you make the jerky :D

[SCOSH123]

As a fridge

[excalibur440]

I would have to see your fridge for my best opinion. Sounds like a cool idea, if your fidges top freezer has it's own door then do like I did and mount the burner up tight against the(now floor) of the smoke box in such a fashion that it would be easy to remove it for your hibatchi. Then crack or open the burner door so it doesn't get to hot using the burner and close it for charcoal. If it's all behind one big door I would be concerned about the heat and oily smoke on the burners components.

[turfdawg]

excal. I have finally been able to use my inverted frig smoker. A friend helped with sheet metal fab. He used drop that he had around the shop. It has 3 pull out shelves and 3 hangers at the top for sausage. I lined the upper and lower boxes with Rockwool for fire protection. It smokes great. Did 4 racks of baby backs last week they cooked for 6 hrs at 200-225 and only had to add fire 1x. (falloffbone) I set up for a hotplate havent tried, In all I have less than $200 in proj. Thx 4 advise

[excalibur440]

Totally cool, and your very welcome. geeze now all you have to play with it, and have a blast.... With a little effort completed you can now cook awesome dinners or preserve meat without the use of gas or power, completely off the grid. I have no doubt you will be a survivor when the economy "really" gets bad....but that's another subject...LOL Great Job!!!, Thanks for the update.

[TexStarJim]

Very impressed with your ability to convert this old fridge into a smoker, you done a really good job. Unfortunately, if you've been eating the meat smoked in this particular smoker, you have probably contaminated your liver with lead.

I cannot believe you used galvinized metal in your smoker. When the metal reaches 200 degrees, the lead will start breaking down and saturate the meat.

You eat the meat, the lead becomes trapped in your body. Liver is the first victim......

sorry man

[excalibur440]

Thanks for your concern, but there is no lead in the fridge? If you are thinking about the galvanized sheet metal, there is no lead in it, it's Zinc oxide with a working temp of 392F. The whole inside is Porcelain coated steel (same thing is on your BBQ grills.) There is no paint on the interior. The factory wiring was removed, the inside of the door is now galvanized sheet metal. The wiring for the burner is exterior so there isn't much else going on with the thing. Thanks for the comment

[turfdawg]

You mention that the burner wires are exterior. Is there an issue with fumes if they are not? Or is it just the a melting issue? I am planning on using a frig with a top freezer and turning over that way I can add chips to the burner without losing a lot of heat from the smoke chamber. I was planning on running an extension cord from the inside to a power source that way I could remove the burner with ease and possible replace with a small hibatchi that way I have the option coals. Thanks

[mase2127]

I've got the exact same fridge. I'm nearing the completion of mine. Did you end up replacing the fiberglass door and replacing it with a piece of sheet metal? What did you use for your door seal? Did you tear that out and replace it with something else?

I like you set up...and mine is looking to be very simular.

[excalibur440]

Cool, your going to like it. I have pulled the inner door skin off and replaced it with sheet metal. I have not done it yet, but I'm going to try using ceder slats as the new seal, counter sunk and screwed to both door and body surfaces so I can get away from using any rubber. I'm going to post another vid showing this when it's done. If it works it should last forever.....post a vid when your done, I'd like to check yours out..

[excalibur440]

with the guard off. Just be very careful, the thing could cut the ex wifes boyfriends car in half in about 2 minutes. ;0) The vent holes where cut using bi-metal hole saws. Good luck, you'll enjoy it and feel fee to post a video response when you get it done.

[antlerbanger]

Nice job on the smoker. I'm making one out of an old freezer. I have folks telling me to remove the rubber seal on the door. They think it might start to melt and create a bad smell on the meat. Did you have any problems with this? Also, how did you cut such nice round holes for your burners?