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Recipes => Cold-Smoking => Topic started by: SuperDave on January 12, 2015, 06:40:36 PM

Title: Plate size?
Post by: SuperDave on January 12, 2015, 06:40:36 PM
Are the cold plates the same size as a rack?  I'm contemplating how to fabricate one.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: DivotMaker on January 12, 2015, 08:51:57 PM
Yep - same size.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: elkins20 on August 05, 2015, 09:29:34 PM
I would think that the plate would be a little shorter from front to back so smoke could go around. Maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch shorter. You would still want them to be same size to fit in the side rail assemblies. I would also suggest maybe 1/4 inch thick of maybe alum. or another light metal.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: DivotMaker on August 05, 2015, 10:31:40 PM
I would think that the plate would be a little shorter from front to back so smoke could go around. Maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch shorter. You would still want them to be same size to fit in the side rail assemblies. I would also suggest maybe 1/4 inch thick of maybe alum. or another light metal.

Bill, smoke has no problem getting around the cold smoke plate, as it's not "airtight."  As for the thickness...the whole idea is insulation, so a thin plate (as you suggested) will not work.  It's a 1" chamber, filled with insulation, to absorb the heat and keep it cool above.  I would suggest buying a cold smoke plate for one of your smokers, and you'll see what I'm talking about.  I have one for my #1, and it works great.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: elkins20 on August 05, 2015, 10:40:34 PM
Hey Tony, was just trying to help as Dave was thinking about fabricating one. If you get the metal too thick will not slide into the side rail assemblies, right? Was not sure if the smoke would get around it. But, am not really keen on cold smoking so cannot say one way or another. But, if there is enough room from the back to the back of the cold plate and the front door and the front of the cold plate that the smoke can travel around then there would not be a problem in making it the same size. I would still go with a light metal, rather than one made of hardened steel as it would be pretty heavy depending on the thickness of the plate :-\.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: DivotMaker on August 05, 2015, 10:53:18 PM
No problem, Bill.  This is a pretty old post, and Dave actually came up with his own using tiles.  Not sure where it is, but you can probably find it.  I was addressing why the manufactured plate is built the way it is.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: elkins20 on August 07, 2015, 01:05:08 AM
Oh yes, now that you mention it I remember reading that about using a ceramic tile or something along that line. Finally received my switch for the #1, now need to make a trip to Lowe's to pick up some 14 gauge wire that I forgot on my last shopping spree. I plan on tomorrow doing the smokers. Hopefully will be another cool day.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: SuperDave on August 07, 2015, 01:57:32 PM
My ultimate solution was 2 layers of this.

(https://www.smokinitforums.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi40.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe204%2Fdave_rce1%2FColdPlate1_zps9d1b5d69.jpg&hash=bd7f6b82e2092926defd839e9f2a1ee95576d44f)


Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: elkins20 on August 07, 2015, 05:13:52 PM
That is a great idea Dave. Just finished doing yard work. It is nasty hot, the temp. on my front porch is 98 degrees, but feels like it is way hotter. Going to wait to do smokers tomorrow morning.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: gregbooras on August 11, 2015, 03:35:39 PM
My ultimate solution was 2 layers of this.

(https://www.smokinitforums.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi40.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe204%2Fdave_rce1%2FColdPlate1_zps9d1b5d69.jpg&hash=bd7f6b82e2092926defd839e9f2a1ee95576d44f)

Let us know how this works out. I have some 18" tiles from our floor and may cut two of them.

Thanks Greg
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: SuperDave on August 11, 2015, 09:17:33 PM
It works great, Greg.  I wrap the rack in foil and stack two layers of tile on that. 
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: elkins20 on August 11, 2015, 09:32:43 PM
Hey Dave, Could you send me your recipe to inject beef briskets please? I have a point that I want to get ready for a smoke tomorrow morning.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: gregbooras on August 12, 2015, 03:32:11 PM
It works great, Greg.  I wrap the rack in foil and stack two layers of tile on that.

Dave,

Do you add a pan of ice on top?

Thanks Greg
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: SuperDave on August 12, 2015, 04:13:49 PM
It works great, Greg.  I wrap the rack in foil and stack two layers of tile on that.

Dave,

Do you add a pan of ice on top?

Thanks Greg
I add my pan of ice directly under the cheese rack.  With my tall unit, I can get a lot of separation from the heat source to my cheese.  So, I use a 3 rack approach, tile and foil heat baffle directly over the heat source, an ice pan rack and a cheese rack as high in the smoker is possible.  But for you Florida guys, a secondary smoke generator might just be mandatory. 
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: gregbooras on August 12, 2015, 04:18:48 PM
Cool, this will go on my to do list!

Greg
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: Limey on August 12, 2015, 06:52:04 PM
Greg, I think that Dave is exactly right-a secondary smoke generator is really helpful. I use a Smoke Daddy externally mounted to the SI and essentially use the SI as an insulated box for really cold smoking. The smoke quality from the SD is arguably slightly less good than that from the SI but is genuine tbs and works fine. It also solves the problem of internal smoke generators which are tough to keep lit given how air tight the SI units are. See my post "Cold Smoking in a Hot Climate" (sorry, have not figured out links)
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: gregbooras on August 12, 2015, 10:02:07 PM
Roger,

I was planning on using a Amazen Pellet Tube Smoker 6" that I own. It will produce smoke for 1 hour, do you think I need the 12" one?

Greg
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: SuperDave on August 12, 2015, 10:44:36 PM
Greg, I think the tube still relies on the element for heat? 
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: gregbooras on August 13, 2015, 07:38:27 AM
Greg, I think the tube still relies on the element for heat?

With the tube, you fill it with pellets and then light with a torch. I use this on my LP grill for smoke.

Greg
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: elkins20 on August 13, 2015, 10:48:29 AM
I have heard they are hard to keep lit in our smokers?
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: Limey on August 13, 2015, 11:01:53 AM
Greg, I have no experience with the Amazen smokers. Others seem to have had problems keeping them lit with the relatively low air flow in the SIs so that is why I use an external smoke generator and just pipe the smoke in through the blow hole.
Title: Re: Plate size?
Post by: NDKoze on August 27, 2015, 11:45:46 AM
I have both an A-MAZE-N tube and a tray smoker and have found that keeping the tube going with pellets is easier than the tray with pellets or dust.