How to Make an Electric Smoker

There are many different ways to make an electric smoker grill. One of the easiest and most creative is the homemade smoker popularized by the Food Network's Alton Brown on his show, "Good Eats." With a few common items, you can quickly make an efficient smoker that will smoke your meats to perfection.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 16 1/2 inch diameter terra cotta flower pot
• Electric hot plate
• 3 to 4 bricks
• 9-inch heavy duty round metal cake or pie pan
• 14-inch diameter round replacement grill grate
• 16-inch diameter round terra cotta bowl
• Replacement thermometer for gas grill

Making the Smoker

1. Place three or four bricks on the ground in a ring or square.

2. Place the 16 1/2-inch pot on top of the bricks and make sure it is stable.

3. Place the electric hot plate or electric burner in the pot and run the cord through the water drainage hole in the pot's bottom.

4. Place the pie or cake pan on top of the hot plate.

5. Set the replacement grill grate inside the pot and make sure it is level and secure.

6. Carefully place the round terra cotta bowl upside down on top of the flower pot, ensuring that it fits snugly inside the flower pot.

7. Place the replacement thermometer in the water drainage hole in the bottom of the bowl. This will be right at the top of the smoker since the bowl is upside down.

Using Your Smoker

8. Prepare your meat as directed by the recipe.

9. Fill the pie pan with wood chunks or chips. These are available ready-cut in bags in most places that sell grilling supplies, or you can cut your own.

10. Plug the hot plate into a power source and set it to a constant temperature of around 225 degrees F.

11. When the wood chips begin to smoke, place the grill grate in the pot, and place your prepared meat on the grate.

12. Cover and continue cooking until the meat reaches the temperature directed in the recipe.

Tips & Warnings

• The "8" setting on the Rival electric burner seems to be perfect for generating the proper amount of heat to make the wood smoke without overheating the unit. After about an hour, the wood chips or chunks will need to be replaced with fresh chips. Remove the grate with the meat, placing it carefully on a clean table or similar clean, stable surface. Dump the old wood chips, add new wood, and replace the grate.
• Frequently check the cord on your electric burner to make sure it is not frayed, and is still in good condition. If you need an extension cord to plug in your smoker, be sure you use a cord that's approved for outdoor use.

References

• The $60 Flower Pot Smoker
• The Alton Brown Flower Pot Smoker
• Q

Resources

• Smoking Meat - The Complete How to Smoke Meat Guide

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