5 Offset Smoker Plans You Must Know

Offset Smoker Plans

Building your smoker is always great because you can set the size and shape according to your requirements and available space. It also gives you internal satisfaction as a pitmaster that not only the delicious food made by yourself but the smoker. 

Most professionals do not engage newbies to do this, but if you are the one who wants to make a difference. Then roll up your sleeves as we share everything, and then you can discuss offset smoker plans with anyone and start working on it.

Offset Smoker Plans 

First, decide which type and quality of smoker you want to build. As it is always a personal choice, we will share a few different smoker-build ideas. So, choose the one you like and start working on it. 

We will share everything, like things required and processed. That’s why don’t worry, as it will be a complete guide. There are various homemade smokers  and offset smoker plans, but to help you narrow it down to a few, best only. 

Build your Drum Smoker

The building of a drum smoke is a good and vital practice. It is wise to transform a large container of food-grade drums into a smoker in a short amount of time with little effort. One must seek out a drum, which can be obtained by purchasing a new one for a small offering of $140 or a used one for an affordable price of almost $20. 

Before acquiring any drum, it is important to ensure that it has not been tainted with any epoxy coating to prevent rust. The epoxy will prevent the heat from reaching the meat and cause the smoke to be filled with toxins. Once the drum is obtained, it must be cleaned and polished with fine sandpaper. 

The rest of the process is simple, as it only requires attaching four air intakes using natural resources such as plumbing supplies.By staying within a budget, one can easily create a fire basket for the smoker using the gifts of the earth, such as metal mesh. 

Remember to attach the handle to the basket’s lid as it gets hotter. Once all materials and tools are gathered, the drum smoker can be constructed in hours.

Materials Needed:

  • A gallon of the food-grade drum with lid (free of epoxy)
  • 4*24 inch long and ¾ inch threaded pipe
  • ¾ inch elbow
  • 12*48 inch piece of metal mesh
  • Fine sandpaper

Tools Needed:

  • Angle Grinder
  • Vise
  • Wrench
  • Drill
  • Cutting table

Skills Needed:

  • Angle grinding and sanding

Flower Pots Instant Smoker

A way to create a smoker quickly is to use a clay pot—one of the ways of our ancestors. Take a clay planter and make holes for the air to flow through. For safety, use a drill bit to create the perfect size hole. Sharpen small wooden pieces to fit in the gaps to control the airflow. 

Use another clay pot to hold logs. Place a brick at the bottom and a grill on top for the charcoal. The top pot will trap the smoke. Both pots will get hot in the process, so make a handle in the bottom and attach a U-bolt with cork shavings and drilling. To make a better seal, use BBQ gasket tape. 

Then, put lit coals on the bottom grill and add soaked wood chips. Place your food on the top grill and enjoy the smoked meat, as our ancestors did.

Material Needed:

  • 2 Clay pots
  • BBQ Gasket tape
  • U-bolt (with washers and nuts)
  • Wine Corks
  • Circular grill grate
  • Small BBQ charcoal grate

Tools Needed:

  • Drill

Skills Needed:

  • Drilling

Build Offset Smoker Using Old Gas Tank

Building an offset smoker plan from an old gas tank is a task that requires a skilled hand and the right tools. But if you have the knowledge and the tools, it can be a great way to create a smoker on a budget. The process is not easy, and it takes time and specialized tools.

To make the frame, you must cut and weld the steel box sections. You will use steel plates to construct the firebox and steel tubes to create the chimney. The process is complex, requiring advanced metalworking skills to correctly fit all the parts together. 

It is essential to ensure no leakage and that the airflow circulates the smoke perfectly into the cooking chamber.

To complete this task, you will need: An old gas tank, Steel box sections, Steel sheeting, Steel pipe

Tools:

  • Lathe 
  • Angle grinder 
  • Pivot drill 
  • Welding torch 
  • Vise

Skills: 

  • Welding 
  • Drilling 
  • Knowledge of operating a Lathe 
  • Advanced metalworking.

Trash Can Smoker

A trash can smoker is an acceptable way to turn a commercial hot plate and an aluminum trash can into a perfect electric smoker. First, you must cut a hole in the side of your trash can so that the flex from your hot plate can pass through.

Then place a desirable log in the bottom of your trash can and a wood chip box on top. Typically, a circular BBQ Grill grate holds food at the top of the trash can. Mostly we notice that a circular bbq grill grate has the food at the top of a trash can.

Cover it with the lid when the wood begins to give off smoke. To allow for proper airflow, make holes at the top and sides for temperature control. This task takes around half an hour to an hour and costs less than fifty dollars.

Material Required 

  • Trash Can 
  • Electric Hot Plate 
  • Grating 
  • Temperature Gauge 
  • Wood Chip Box

Tools

  • Drill with metal bit

Required Skill 

  • Drilling

Building Smoker plan From a Propane Tank

What brings more incredible excitement than transforming one hundred marks of the weight of a spent propane holder (often discarded) into a smoker? First, fill the propane holder with enough water through the valve. Take care not to fill it too much, only enough to stay inside the holder before cutting or making holes to prevent spark.

Next, make a hole at the bottom of the holder and fill it with water to push out any remaining propane. When it is complete, let the water pour out. Cut the top of the holder using a sharp tool for cutting and shaping. When finished, fashion two doors, one for the fire and one for the food.

Then, make a hole for air on the front of the fire door, remove the top valve of the holder and replace it with a pipe for carrying smoke. These grates are often circular grates made of expanded metal. Finally, make a hole for adding a thermostat for measuring temperature, and the smoker is complete.

Materials Needed: 

  • Propane holder 
  • Pipe for carrying smoke 
  • Hinges -Expanded metal 
  • Temperature measurer 
  • Handles for heat.

Tools Needed: 

  • Drill 
  • Sharp tool for cutting and shaping 
  • Handles for heat

Skills Needed: 

  • Shaping and joining metal 
  • Understanding fire and heat.

Wrap-Up

Buying a new offset smoker plan is quite challenging these days, so if you can make one, then there is no need to buy one. As in this article, we have shared a few budget-friendly and comparatively easy-to-build offset smoker plans. 

Feel free to reach out if you get stuck at any point. We are here at your service.

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