Use terracotta pots to make a smoker

A store bought smoker can cost a small fortune, but you can make your own smoker with a few supplies and a couple of terracotta pots.

 

YOU WILL NEED:

Hot burner plate (800 - 1000 Watts)

Frying pan, small

Skillet or grill

Thermometer

Terracotta pots for top and base (should fit together snugly*) - the bigger the better

Rubber bung (washer not required)

Drill / Driver and 10mm HSS bit

3-Pin plug

*If  the pots don't fit together snugly you will not be able to generate enough smoke for the smoker to be effective.

 

HERE'S HOW:

1. Remove the handle from the frying pan and grill (if it has one).

2. The electrical cord needs to be pushed through the hole in the base of the pot, but if the hole is not large enough you can cut off the plug, thread it through and attach a new plug.

3. In order to control the hot plate you need access to the control knob. In this case a 10mm HSS bit was used to drill a hole at the same level as the control - the knob was removed - and a screwdriver will be used to turn the hot plate up or down.  Pack the inside of the pot with newspaper to prevent damaging the other side and drill slowly.

GOOD TO KNOW:
If you are unable to remove the temperature control knob you will need to make a larger hole. If this is the case a hole saw can be used.

ABOVE: Test fit the burner plate to make sure it fits nicely in the bottom pot on its own. There should be a decent amount of space below the hot plate so that the electrical cord does not get hot and melt. Once you have a hot plate, measure the diameter so that you can choose a properly shaped pot.

ABOVE and BELOW: The frying pan will sit on top of the burner plate and this is where you will place the smoker chips. The skillet or grill is to hold whatever it is you want to smoke.

4. The thermometer is added to the top section of the smoker. To do this a hole was drilled through the rubber bung and the stem of the therometer pushed through. This was then pushed into the hole in the pot.

5. Now it's time to put your smoker to the test. Have a fire extinguisher handy just in case!

To start using your new smoker the temperature needs to be set on high to get the smoke started, the top placed on the base and the temp turned down for the remainder of the cooking time.

NOTE: Adding handles to the top would be a good modification. You can use thick, cotton rope and push these through a hole drilled at either side.