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automated smoker

The automated barrel smoker was a fun side project.

Luckily, it also makes a mean brisket.

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I decided to build a smoker

Because I had some really fantastic brisket... but that's besides the point. 

Anyway, I bought a barrel for $50.

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I drilled a million holes & screws

I knew once I chopped the bands, they wouldn't hold the wood in place anymore. So, I had to sink a drill into each intersection between band and wood. (Which required a lot of screws!)

And chopped that bad larry in half!

I also added a handy thermometer, and a few threaded rods so that the barrel would keep its shape.

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I sealed a few gaps, and gave it a stand

And she was ready to rip!

Now this was the other fun part...

I wanted to control the heat with propane,    since the barrel had too many air gaps.

So I designed and 3D printed a gearbox that would use a thermistor to control gas flow into the smoker.

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And now we have a smoker and a control unit...

The unit was controlled with a raspberry pi micro-computer. This way, it could be connected to the internet and operated remotely.

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Also check out that big white handle.

It's a manual override so you can shut off the propane. (Important stuff you know!)

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It makes a pretty good rack of ribs

It wasn't exactly the easiest way to make a smoker (or a cut of meat).

But it looks great and still gives hints of bourbon. Pretty cool if you ask me.

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