Comments on: Ikea Hack, how to make a food BBQ smoker from Ikea parts

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:39:12 +0000

Could you not spray the inside with BBQ paint after the initial burn off? It might give a bit better thermal value (being black), and protect the metal from rust etc.

By: cait

cait — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:39:00 +0000

I made my own smoker using a repurposed used grill grate, a small metal trash can, and a hotplate, much the same way. I smoke my own chipotles using this method (red jalapenos, smoked, are chipotle peppers).

By: Garrett Staats

Garrett Staats — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:22:41 +0000

@Jeremy – Smoking is not always cooking.

Eric just said that the temp is 160F. This is way too low to liberate any of the metals that make up the containers. As a matter of fact, you can smoke meats with a temperature < 100F, which I always do.

Note: Traditional smoked / partially dried meats and fish are not really supposed to be cooked, it's just the FDA regulations these days that are SCARING us into losing thousands of years of smoking tradition. I don't think you can even legally buy dried meats like jerky that has not been cooked first (2003 law?). What a shame – there is so much flavor in jerky/sausage/salmon removed by raising cooking temperature.

By: Eric Gunnar Rochow

Eric Gunnar Rochow — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:54:34 +0000

@jeremy do you have a link to some info about this. the smoker is at such a low temperature, about 160 F . thx. eric.

By: Chimi

Chimi — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:50:31 +0000

Jeremy is right. When I read this, I immediately thought about how poisoned everybody will be from all this toxic fumes generator. Just buy a (not too) cheap smoker and save the health of your friends and family.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:35:34 +0000

You may want to rethink this project. Cooking in galvanized steel containers can produce toxic fumes and lead to zinc poisoning. This can cause lethargy, dizziness, nausea, fever, diarrhea, irritability, muscular stiffness and pain, loss of appetite, and reversible pancreatic and neurological damage.

In addition to the zinc, most galvanized steel is coated with a passivation chemical to prevent “white rust”. A common passivation chemical used is Hexavalent Chromium; a very harmful carcinogen when ingested, absorbed by the skin, or inhaled. Heating of galvanized steel can allow the passivation chemical to be liberated and thereby create a health concern

By: Eric Gunnar Rochow

Eric Gunnar Rochow — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:13:18 +0000

@BlueNoser and Carroll. thanks for the comments. i have not tried other things in the Ikea Hack Food Smoker, but i will next spring. its easy to use, simple to smoke.

thx, eri c

By: Carroll B. Merriman

Carroll B. Merriman — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:36:22 +0000

Your site is loaded with amazing information. I love BBQ smoked food as much as you do. I certainly come back as often as possible. Keep up the good work. Two thumbs up. Thanks for sharing.

By: BlueNoser

BlueNoser — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:33:28 +0000

Thrilled to have found GardenFork.tv, and have especially enjoyed the different smoker versions.
Would love to know if you’ve had success with anything other than salmon, or have tried any other meats in the Ikea hack smoker. That one shows real promise.

By: "Curcio"

"Curcio" — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:05:53 +0000

“I dont usually reply to posts but I will in this case. WOW!!!”