Content
Cooking has a huge number of its secrets. It is both science and art. Not only men love to enjoy delicious dishes. Women love it when men cook. Who can refuse a smoked piece of meat or fish? But when purchasing such a product, we cannot always know under what conditions it was produced and what additives were used. In order not to worry about this, it would be nice to have your own smoke generator for smoking. Which one should you choose and can you assemble it yourself? This article is devoted to these points.
The nature of smoking
The processing of various products by smoking has been known for quite some time. Our ancestors used it when they did not have electric refrigerators, and ice did not last long from winter. That is why a method was needed that would allow food to be preserved for as long as possible. Not only meat products are smoked, but also some fruits, such as prunes. Many people love its taste and enjoy the indescribable aroma. Fish and mushrooms that have been smoked are also appreciated by gourmets.
Technologies are moving forward, and smoking methods are not only gaining momentum, but have also received a large number of interesting solutions, which include the latest advances in electronics in smoke generators. At the same time, the chemical industry is also developing. Those who strive for quick profit and enrichment try to replace the true taste of a cold smoked product with various liquid additives. They are called liquid smoke. There is no need to talk about the harmlessness of such a product. The manufacturer does not always indicate what the product actually contains.
In its original form, smoke treatment or smoking has two options. One implies operating smoking temperatures ranging from 50 to 120° Celsius. At the same time, meat, fish and other products are prepared quite quickly. This type of smoking is preferred by those who go fishing in order to enjoy their meal as quickly as possible. But this type of smoking has a certain drawback. Since the temperature is high, destruction and loss of a large number of microelements and vitamins occurs. A feeling of fullness will come from products that have been smoked in this way, but there is no need to talk about the benefits. Also, due to the high speed of this type of smoking, uncooked parts with parasites may remain. Hot smoking also has a negative effect on shelf life.
The situation is completely different with smoking with a smoke generator at lower temperatures. Cold smoking with a smoke generator allows you to use smoke at a maximum temperature of 30°C. Smoking takes a longer period of time, but you won’t have to complain about the quality. Large pieces of meat will require a whole week. You will have to put a lot of effort into them, but the price for such smoked products is as high as possible.For the entire smoking process with a smoke generator, only certain species of deciduous trees are used, which are capable of imparting unique properties to the product.
Technical features
Assembling any equipment yourself implies a clear understanding of all the processes that occur in it. A good driver should know at least the basics of how an engine functions in order to correct simple breakdowns on the road. This principle also applies to those who intend to make smoke generator for cold smoking with your own hands. In simple terms, a smoke generator for cold smoking consists of three modules:
- the combustion chamber
- chimney;
- smoking chamber.
If you place the smoke generator chamber for smoking directly above the combustion chamber or in close proximity, then hot smoking will occur. The smoke must cool, so the smoke generator module for smoking is removed 3 meters or less from the smoke source. The pipe should not be insulated or insulated for natural cooling. The source of smoke in the smoke generator is wood chips. This means that for the smoking process they should not burn, but smolder. Therefore, the air supply to the smoke generator must be dosed as much as possible so that a rapid oxidation process does not occur. Smoke does not always flow in a stream, so a smoke generator needs a blower. For this purpose, the smoke generator for cold smoking is equipped with a compressor.
Two schemes have been developed for connecting the combustion chamber to the smoking chamber of the smoke generator:
- top;
- lower
In the first case, smoke is supplied to the smoking module with an intake in the upper part of the combustion chamber of the smoke generator. In it, the smoke, passing through a layer of wood chips, is additionally cooled and saturated. The disadvantage of this solution is that the smoke generator for cold smoking may go out and the process will be interrupted. In the lower method of placing the fence in the combustion chamber of the smoke generator, such difficulties do not arise. But you have to add sawdust more often. It is also important to strictly monitor that the temperature of the smoke in the smoke generator does not exceed the permissible standard.
Choosing the right one
In addition to understanding how a smoke generator for cold smoking works, it is important to know what technical characteristics it must meet. Here are some measures of proper quality:
- smoke generator performance;
- intensity;
- maximum automation of the smoke generator;
- simplicity;
- transportability of the smoke generator.
The first point in the characteristics of a smoke generator for smoking indicates how much raw material can be processed in the shortest period of time. The higher the performance of the smoke generator, the larger the smoke supply module and the food chamber should be. Intensity describes how fast and how much smoke can be delivered. A certain line is important here, because with a large amount of it, it may not have time to cool to 25-30°. The process must take place around the clock without interruption. This means that wood chips will have to be placed in the smoke generator at night.Not everyone wants to get up specifically for this, so it’s worth thinking about whether it’s possible to implement an automatic feeding system based on a timer or volume.
Installers and designers always try to achieve maximum strength and reliability of the structure while keeping it simple. It is simplicity that allows you to reduce repair and production costs. Also, such products usually last longer. This principle should be based on a smoke generator for a smokehouse. Making the device stationary is a personal decision for everyone. But there is no guarantee that the site where the smoke generator is now located will not be in demand for a utility building tomorrow. The best smoke generator for cold smoking is considered to be one that is easy to move and install in a new location.
DIY assembly
There are a huge number of variations that can be assembled from available materials. But all smoke generators for smoking are divided into:
- ejector;
- with natural injection.
Ejector engines use a compressor for a smoke generator, which supplies smoke from the combustion chamber to the smoking chamber. The second type does not require any electrical devices, since everything happens in it due to natural physical laws.
Smokehouse with compressor
One of the simplest devices for cold smoking will require:
- two pineapple cans;
- one tin of peas;
- ½" tee;
- Christmas tree fitting with ½" thread and herringbone with an outer diameter of 10 mm;
- fum tapes or tow;
- copper tube with an outer diameter of 6 mm;
- flexible connecting hose for the tube;
- rubber seal;
- aquarium compressor;
- a small piece of ½" pipe with external thread;
- three clamps 100 mm.
The assembly process is as simple as possible.In one of the pineapple cans, you need to cut out the bottom to create a through cylinder. The two cans are fastened together using clamps and a metal gasket. The result is a pipe with a bottom. A hole is made in the bottom of a pea can. Its diameter should be such that a tee can be screwed into it. The latter is mounted in its place. A tree fitting is screwed to the tee. A small piece of copper tube is inserted into it. The tube should protrude 5 cm from the tee on the other side. It should be well fixed in the fitting. A rubber seal is used for this.
On the other side, a ½" pipe with a length of 10 cm is screwed on. This entire structure will act as an ejector. The pea can with the entire portion is attached to the previous two. Holes are made on both sides of the lower can for air intake. The compressor is connected with a flexible hose to copper tube. Sawdust is poured inside the cans. They are ignited through the side hole using a burner. The compressor is turned on. It will create a vacuum of air and provide draft, which will promote smoldering. The outlet pipe is inserted into the container where the meat is located. It can be used as an ordinary cardboard box. One bookmark is enough for about 2 hours. The operation of such a smoke generator can be assessed in the video.
A similar smoke generator design can be assembled using a small can. The components will be exactly the same. The only thing that is required is to make holes closer to the bottom of the can so that there is a free flow of air to the smoldering sawdust. More information about the assembly process of such a smoke generator can be obtained from the video.
Natural draft smoker
If you plan to smoke meat in large volumes, then you can make a design with natural draft. It is necessary to choose an elevated place or make an artificial earthen embankment. On it, a chamber is assembled from brick or other material where the product will be located. From it a chimney outlet is made from above, as well as doors that can close tightly. Some people use an old refrigerator for such purposes. You can install a thermometer in the chamber door to monitor the temperature.
A hole is made in the lower part for the incoming chimney. It is dug into the ground and connected to the combustion chamber. For the latter, you can use a ready-made potbelly stove or make a top from sheet material. It can also be laid out of brick or made improvised in a dug hole. A damper is mounted in the pipe that goes from the firebox to the main chamber. It is necessary to control the draft and flow of smoke. This smoke generator is suitable for both cold and hot smoking. The only difference will be increased injection and a higher smoking temperature. Below is a video example of such a design.
Conclusion
Knowing how a smoke generator for a smokehouse is made, you no longer have to spend money on finished products of dubious quality. You can always smoke exactly what you like best. It is not difficult to make a combined design that will provide both cold and hot smoking.
