Homemade electric smoke generator for cold smoked smokehouse. We are building a smoke generator for cold smoking. Compressors for cold smoked smoke generator: performance and options

Reading time ≈ 12 minutes

When choosing smoked meat in a supermarket, the question arose: is it possible to prepare meat products at home, making them yourself according to the developed drawings? This is what we will talk about in today’s article. What is a smoke generator, what types are they and how to assemble it from the material at hand.

Smoke generator for cold smoking

What is a smoking installation?

A home smoking setup is sufficient simple device and consists of a smoking chamber and a smoke generator. In the past, it had something like this design: as a rule - metal barrel, which served as a chamber, was installed on an embankment or a small foundation made of bricks and poured in so that there were no cracks at the base.

A horizontal underground channel lined with brick or old tiles, 20-30 centimeters high and 2 meters long, was led under the barrel. This channel was a chimney for a fire, which was built on the side opposite the barrel in a closed pit. A small hole was left for the flow of air, which ensured not active combustion, but smoldering of wood in the fire with copious amounts of smoke.

In the smoking cabinet, products were placed on grids, trays or hooks, which were cooked using cooled smoke.

Smoking installation

Another design option is made of stone. In the lower part there is a firebox with a blower to control the intensity of combustion. The chimney duct does not rise up, but goes into the smoking chamber located nearby, and from there an exit is made to the street.

Smoking installation diagram

But in modern world nothing stands still, everything develops and moves forward. In modern installations, fireboxes and fires have been replaced by smoke generators - small, compact devices equipped with electric fans or compressors for pumping air.

It is this kind of device that we will talk about today. What materials will be needed to make a smoke generator for cold smoking. What tools and equipment will you need to use?

Principle of operation

To figure out what device you have to work with, you need to understand what it is. The structure of the smoke generator and its operating principle are as follows:

Sawdust or shavings are poured into a metal flask with a lid on top. The bottom is removable so that ash can be removed. Fuel falls on metal mesh, acting as grate bars. Approximately 5-10 millimeters above the mesh level there is a hole with a diameter of 1 cm. The wood is set on fire through it and air flows in during the combustion process.
A ¾-inch flue tube is attached to the top of the cylinder. On the opposite side, an ejector tube, ¼ inch thick, enters through a hole in the wall and, crossing the entire space of the flask, enters the chimney 10 mm. A pipe is connected to the outer end of the ejector, through which air is supplied from a compressor or other air blower.
The chimney pipe goes inside the smoking chamber.
With help gas burner, fuel is ignited through a special hole. The air supply compressor turns on.
The air flow enters the chimney. Thanks to the design, a draft is created in the generator flask, and wood combustion products are drawn into the chimney. Cooled smoke from the chimney fills the smokehouse.

This is a schematic description of the process. The fact is that, for example, ejectors have different design, so when working with a specific device, some differences and nuances will appear. But the principle itself will not change.

Smoke generator for cold smoking

Preparation of the drawing

As in any process related to the assembly of composite structures, first of all it is necessary to prepare drawings with the dimensions of all parts and assemblies. It can be prepared based on your own views and visions, and materials can be selected in accordance with the dimensions indicated in the diagram. Alternative option– adjust the drawing in accordance with the dimensions of the materials available.

In both cases, it is important that the resulting proportions allow the construction of a workable product.

The photo below shows an example of a drawing that can be used as an example to draw up your own design solution. Before deciding on the final version of the sketch, you need to make a choice from several types of smoke generators, which have some differences:

With upper or lower ejection. This design feature suggests the location of the ejector: air supply and smoke exhaust pipes - in the upper part of the generator housing or in the lower part.
With or without cooler. This solution assumes that there is additional element in the circuit for supplying smoke to the smoking chamber, acting as a cooler and an additional filter for condensate.

Scheme of work

In order to take a more detailed look at all the subtleties and nuances that arise and are encountered when making a smokehouse at home, we will choose the option with bottom ejection, a cooler and a condensate collector.

Smoke generator installation method

Before you begin assembly work, you need to choose the place where the structure will be installed. The method of mounting the device, as well as some features of the arrangement of parts, will depend on this.

On the body of the smoking cabinet. In this case, the main load will fall on the chimney pipes, since it is outlet pipe will become the connection point to the cabinet. To distribute the load, an additional fastener can be welded to the smoke generator body.

Floor placement of the device will allow you to move the support point to the lower end of the case. In this case, the bottom must be welded, and an additional door must be made to remove ash.

Principle of operation

Materials and tools

In order to make a smoke generator for cold smoking with your own hands, having the necessary drawings, videos and photographs, you will need:

Pipe metal diameter 100 and 650 mm long. The body will be made from it.
Steel cylinder Ø100, 150 millimeters long for the manufacture of a cooler filter.
A set of Ø25mm pipes of different lengths with threads for chimney assembly – 5 pieces.
Sheet iron 2 mm thick. The size should allow you to cut 4 circles with a diameter of 100 mm and 2 circles with a diameter of 90 mm.
Spurs Ø25 mm of various configurations - cross and tee.
A quick-release connection (25 mm thread) and 10 centimeters of tube of such a diameter that it fits snugly in the quick-release fitting.
Self-tapping screws for metal.
Rod for making a filter, 120 mm long and 10 mm thick.
High temperature paint.
Aquarium compressor with a capacity of 10 l/min.
Glass jar with metal lid on the thread to collect condensate.

To cope with such a set of materials, you need to have the following tools and devices on hand:

Ruler and scriber - for marking.
Angle grinder with cutting wheels for metal.
Electric drill with drill bits.
Welding machine with electrodes.
Pipe wrench.

Having done everything necessary preparations, you can start working. The sequence of actions is described in detail in step by step instructions presented in the next section.

Smoke generator assembly

Let's look at how you can make a smoke generator for cold smoking with your own hands by breaking installation work into stages.

Frame

We take a pipe with a diameter of 100 millimeters and a length of 60 cm. We align the ends so that later we can install covers on them.
The pipe Ø25 mm and 15 cm long, from which the smoke intake will be made, must have a thread on one edge. From the opposite end, in a 10 cm area, we arrange slots through which smoke will flow into the pipe. On the bottom side, opposite the slots, we drill holes.

Pipe branch

The grate will be installed at a height of 50mm from the bottom edge, and the smoke intake will be located approximately 4cm above. Accordingly, using welding, we make a hole in the body at a mark of 9 cm from the bottom end.
We install the prepared pipe in the place prepared for it with the slots facing up and scald it.

Smoke intake

We make grate bars. We cut out a circle from a sheet of metal and drill 5-7 mm holes in it along the entire plane.
We weld the workpiece 5 centimeters from the bottom of the body.
Drill a Ø 10mm hole approximately 0.5 - 1 cm above the grate. It will serve to ignite the fuel and take in combustion air.
We cut out a valve for the bottom of the flask from sheet iron. It must be removable so that ash can be removed. We weld small eyes to the end, like slides, into which we install the valve.
To make the case close at the top, we grind a hardwood plug onto the top end. Preferably made of oak.
The smoke generator body is almost ready. Let's move on to the filter and pipeline.

Installation of chimney and cooler with filter

Screw a cross onto the thread of the smoke intake pipe.

Screwing on the cross

We screw 2 pipes into the cross:

In the lower hole 5 cm long with a thread at the second end. We make a hole in the lid of the jar, put it on the pipe and secure it tightly with a nut.
A 10 cm long tube is inserted into the upper hole. A cooler will be welded to the second end.

We close the free central outlet of the cross with a plug. It will be used to clean the smoke intake.

Cooler housing

Cut a circle Ø100mm from a sheet of iron. Using welding, we cut out a 2.5 cm hole in the center for the chimney pipe. This will be the bottom of the filter.
We attach the prepared bottom to the lower end of the 100x150 mm pipe using a welding machine.
We weld a rim with holes for attaching the lid to the upper end.

Cooler housing

We cut out the lid from iron and drill holes that exactly coincide with the holes in the rim. We make a hole in the center for the pipe.

Filter element

We prepare 2 plates with a diameter of 90 mm, make holes in the center and install them on a steel pin 1 cm thick.
We attach the legs to the bottom plate.
In order to firmly secure the filter device in the cooler body, we roll up a small spring from steel wire.

Filter element

We install the filter element with a spring into the cooler housing and screw on the cover using metal screws, having previously treated the joint with a heat-resistant sealant.

Ejector

We weld a 10 cm long pipe into the top cover with a thread at the other end.

We screw the tee onto the thread using its central outlet. For ease of further use, we place the tee perpendicular to the smoke exhaust outlet from the housing.
We install a pipe in one of the free outlets of the tee, the length of which will allow it to be inserted into the smoking chamber. As practice shows, this is at least 25-30 centimeters.
Screw into the opposite hole of the tee quick release coupling, into the shank of which a metal tube is inserted through a seal.
A vinyl or polyethylene supply tube from an air compressor is placed on the outer end of the tube. As already stated, its power should not be less than 10 liters/minute, otherwise the efficiency of the entire installation will be reduced to zero.
The end of the tube located inside should be longer than the tee and extend 10 mm inside the chimney pipe.

Operating procedure

Before starting work, we carefully check the reliability of all mechanical connections: the covers must be installed in place and closed, the pipes must be tightly fixed in the fittings.

A container for collecting condensate is attached to the lid. No matter how dry the fuel is, it still contains moisture. In addition, there are various resins and heavy impurities. To get rid of these additives, a filter is installed in the cooler, on the “plates” of which all excess settles and, condensing, flows down into a collection container.

The air supply pipe from the compressor is connected to the ejector inlet. The electrical cable of the compressor is laid and connected to the power supply in compliance with all safety standards and regulations. You must always remember that the installation uses open fire and emit heat, which creates an increased danger for nearby electrical communications.

Pour dry wood chips or shavings into the generator flask and close the lid. Using a lighter, or best of all, a gas burner, we ignite the fuel. The wood begins to burn, emitting thick smoke.

Turn on the compressor. The air stream mixes with the smoke, creating draft in the chimney and increasing the power of the flow.

The wood chips should lie quite tightly, but you cannot compact them too much, as they can clog the smoke intake.

Fuel selection

As for wood species, it is strictly not recommended to use waste from resinous tree species, such as spruce and pine. Walnut shavings will add bitterness to the smoke.

Fuel from fruit trees has a pleasant aroma, which directly depends on the species. The most suitable are apple, pear, apricot and alder.

Smoking cabinet

It must close tightly and have a chimney at the top to remove smoke. The smokehouse, depending on the intensity of use, can be made in the form of a “house” or a cabinet made of metal or wood.

To place products prepared for smoke treatment, special shelves, nets or hangers with hooks are installed.

The simplest and budget option is an ordinary metal barrel with a capacity of 100-200 liters. The top part is cut off so that you can load the food, and then I cover it back with a lid. A more “civilized” solution is to place the barrel in a lying position, cut out part of the side surface, then fix it on hinges, making a door. A continuous shelf made of mesh is installed inside.

If after reading the article and viewing the photos you still have questions, the video posted at the end of this section will help clarify some points.

You yourself were able to see that, having the correct drawings, building a smoke generator for cold smoking with your own hands is not such a difficult task. Undoubtedly, it requires certain skills and preparation. Not everyone knows how to use a welding machine or has one at home. But, using the help of friends or acquaintances, you can make a device that will become a source of aromatic and tasty dishes on your table.

Video: smoke generator

Small smokehouses, designed for small portions of food, usually consist of a box in which both food and wood chips are placed together. Wood chips smolder at the bottom of the box, and food lies on the grates above it. This solution is the simplest, but in fact only involves hot smoking - the products hang directly above the fryer, and therefore it is difficult to cool the smoke. For cold smoking you need a separate smoke generator, structurally separated from the smoking chamber itself. You can buy a smoke generator for cold smoking in a store, but this article is about how to make it yourself. There are drawings in the article, although these are more like sketches, for a better understanding of the essence.

IN general case This is a closed container in which wood chips or sawdust smolder. The flow of air inside the smoke generator is limited, so the wood chips cannot ignite, they only smolder, emitting smoke. The container is heated in a way that is more convenient for the owner: it can be a gas stove, electric heaters, a wood-burning stove or just a fire. In the last two cases, of course, it is not very convenient to regulate the heating temperature, and therefore the smoke output, but in general it is acceptable. This article describes a smoke generator for a smokehouse, in which wood chips can simply be ignited inside, without any additional heating from the outside.

The smoke generated inside is discharged through the pipe into the smoking chamber. Along the way, this pipe may pass through some kind of smoke cooler. You can make a simple long chimney, or bury it in the ground. Cold smoking is carried out at a temperature of 20-30 degrees, which is why an external smoke generator is needed.

Making the body

Now let's see how you can make such a device yourself.

It is convenient to use a steel pipe for the body of the smoke generator. (In these collages you can see two homemade devices made from tin cans, but they can burn out quickly; a pipe is more reliable.) You can also take an old fire extinguisher, or gas cylinder, but this article describes a homemade smoke generator made specifically from a pipe, round or rectangular. A pipe diameter of 80 - 100 millimeters will be sufficient.

To begin, seal the bottom of the pipe tightly with a steel plug. At the very bottom of the smoke generator, you need to provide a place where the ash will fall, with a height of, for example, 3 centimeters above this plug. Therefore, we drill a hole for igniting wood chips and accessing air a little higher, for example, at a distance of 4 centimeters from the bottom. A hole diameter of 7-10 millimeters is quite enough.

grate

We take a steel tube or rod, drill a hole in the disk and weld it to the rod at a distance of 3 centimeters from the end. These 3 centimeters will be the volume for collecting ash. Please note that the rod should pass through the disk not in the center, but slightly to the side. This is shown in the top picture. Why this is necessary is explained below.

It is often recommended to put a steel spring on the rod, see drawing above. It is needed so that a passage is formed along the rod for smoke from the lower part of the wood chips. This is especially true if small sawdust is used, that is, when the escape of smoke may be difficult. If you are going to use large chips, then the spring can be neglected.

Top cover

It can be made from a piece of pipe slightly larger diameter. Or, if you made the body of your smoke generator from rectangular pipe, then you can weld the lid from square pieces of metal. Try to ensure that the lid fits tightly to the body. The less air passes through it, the better.

We drill a hole in the lid to pass the central post (on which the spring) through. It is useful to cut a thread at the upper end of the stand, and then it will be possible to secure the lid with a nut before starting smoking. Let's say once again that the spring is needed only so that the wood chips do not fit tightly to the rack, and there is a passage along it for smoke. If you want, you can do without it.

Ejector

This is perhaps the most important detail smoke generator. Often, the smoke generated in it does not just pour out of there, like from a samovar, but is extracted using a compressor (about which below). This is exactly what the ejector serves for.

How the simplest ejector works should be clear from the figure.

A hole is drilled in the wall of the smoke generator housing, onto which an exhaust pipe is welded from the outside. On the other side of the body, another hole is drilled, into which another tube of smaller diameter than the first is fixed. As can be seen in the drawing, it passes through the entire body exactly in diameter, and enters the exhaust pipe with some clearance. It will be great if you do not secure the thin tube tightly, but for example with a nut, so that you can adjust its length inside the housing.

Now, if air from a compressor is supplied into a thin tube, the smoke filling the housing will be captured by it and carried out through the exhaust pipe. If it is possible to adjust the length of the thin tube, then you can configure your generator for maximum smoke output.

Now it’s clear why central pillar should not be in the center, but shifted to the side.

Here's what it looks like in real life:

Where should the ejector be placed, on top or bottom of the housing? There are no clear recommendations on this matter. That is, whoever is more comfortable. Depending on the design of the smoking chamber, next to which your smoke generator will be located. But it is known from experience that top position preferable - the generator will be less capricious and will not go out often.

Compressor

The easiest way is to use a pump to ventilate an aquarium as a compressor. Buy it in advance along with plastic tubes, and it will be clear to you what diameter metal tubes will need to be used for the ejector.

You can, however, make a compressor yourself, for example, from a computer cooler. Take plastic bottle, cut a hole in its bottom and insert the cooler there. And you can glue a pipe into the bottle cap, onto which the tube leading to the ejector will be placed.

How to work

The procedure for working with a smoke generator is simple:

remove the cover,
pour wood chips inside,
connect the ejector tubes,
close the lid
ignite the wood chips inside using, for example, blowtorch or gas lighter
turn on the compressor and wait for smoke to come out of the exhaust pipe.

After finishing work:

disassemble the entire structure, disconnect the tubes,
pull out the central rod with the grate,
shake out the ash and clean everything,
Treat yourself to some goodies from your smokehouse. 🙂

There are many ready-made food products available on sale, obtained by cold smoking. Problems of non-compliance with technological cycles at food enterprises lead to the fact that the taste of the delicacies sold does not always meet the expectations of buyers. Many modern food gourmets purchase units for use industrial production, some craftsmen make smoke generators for cold smoked smokehouses with their own hands, which is relatively easy once you understand the situation and the operating principle of the device.

IN last years use chemicals for processing meat and fish raw materials called “liquid smoke”. There is no smoking in this process. The product is soaked in a diluted solution for a while, then the finished “delicacy” is removed, which has acquired the appropriate taste, color and shade. Preparations for such production have test certificates and are approved as substances affecting food. But consumers want to see on their tables not chemically processed products, but naturally obtained meat, lard, cheeses and fish.

Generator device

The device for cold smoking and its operating conditions are relatively simple. They consist in the fact that shredded wood fuel smolders, while the access of oxygen is reduced or completely absent. The emitted smoke envelops the products that are smoked with its participation.

The generator itself is a metal container of any shape. Industrially manufactured units have a number of switches, thermometers and regulators. Smoking devices are equipped with feeding mechanisms for wood chips. The devices maintain a certain temperature in the combustion chamber necessary for the smoldering process. The smoke enters the smokehouse with the products.

The classic design involves remote cameras , which are connected by a long pipe-tunnel to cool the emitted smoke. As a result of the smoking process, the products are not heated, but the result is a high-quality smoked delicacy with a soft consistency.

Composition of a smoke generator for cold smoking

The unit can be made with your own hands in a private home, for this you will need:

A combustion chamber, which can be used as any container, for example, a large metal thermos, a fire extinguisher, or a piece of large-diameter pipe (about 100 mm). To operate, the hole on one side is welded tightly, and on the other, a hole is made for igniting the fuel.
The fan or pump becomes the second part of the smoke generator. You can use an aquarium pump with a motor power of up to 6 W, which is quite enough for pumping fresh air. Sometimes craftsmen make a compressor for which they use a computer fan and a small plastic container, a fan is attached to the bottom, and a lid is provided at the neck with a hose inserted there.
An ejector made from water supply pipes with adapter components (bends, bends, tees, etc.). Assembly drawings can be seen on the Internet. The ejector mounting location is located at the bottom or top of the generator.
The food storage cabinet (smokehouse) is made from the spacious body of an old refrigerator, a metal box or an old barrel. Having assembled the entire structure with your own hands in accordance with the drawings, filled with sawdust or shavings, you can purchase food and make smoked delicacies. IN summer time the structure is placed in outdoor conditions.
If the smokehouse is made strictly according to the drawings, then household members and guests will happily enjoy smoked lard, meat, ribs, poultry or fish delicacies. To improve the taste, use alder and willow wood.

Operating principles of the smokehouse

Before you begin assembling a smoke generator for cold smoking with your own hands, the drawings of which are developed taking into account your needs, you should list everything properties of a properly made smokehouse:

the device generates smoke perfectly;
resinous decomposition products during combustion remain on the walls of the smoke generator chamber;
the pump or fan requires very little electrical energy to operate;
Working with such a unit is easy and simple.

Using a generator for smoking products includes next steps:

place food in a closet or hang it on hooks;
place fuel in the inlet opening of the combustion chamber of the smoke generator;
connect the generator to the cabinet via a pipe or wide hose and start smoking by igniting the fuel.

Cooking times for some foods

To get a soft and smoke-rich product, you should know the specific time for its stay in the smokehouse:

large varieties of fish and lard are smoked until cooked until about 24 hours;
small fish such as capelin or gobies are prepared in 8 ocloc'k;
duck, goose, pork ham will require smoking for 30 hours.

Before placing food in the smoker, their salted. The standard recipe is a solution in which 200 g of table salt is added per liter of water. After preparing the brine, the food is placed on the fire and simmered so that the water in the vessel does not boil. For all products except lard, about 35-45 minutes are enough, and the lard is in the hot solution for about two hours. Depending on the taste, different spices are used. After removal from the brine, all products are dried in the open air.

How to build a smoke generator for a cold smoked smokehouse with your own hands

Manufacturing options vary, but the following tips are worth considering:

A relatively sealed container is used as a firebox, where a smoldering process occurs with a small air current (usually crushed wood waste in the form of chips or sawdust). Provide a second door or damper designed specifically for regulation air flow. You need to try to create such a flow of air that does not burn a large fire, but at the same time it should be enough for the slow smoldering of the fuel and the creation of chimney draft.

In another version of the smoke generator, it is arranged two-chamber firebox, where a fire is lit under the mouth of the furnace open conditions. On metal sheet fits fuel material, the same as in ordinary cases. The upper smokehouse, intended only for smoke, is used to generate draft. It is filled with smoke, inside there are layers and tiers of products that are doused with a smoked aroma. The method of smoke generation does not affect the duration of the process: in order to obtain a high-quality product, the entire smoking process should be constantly monitored.

Smoking is an energy-intensive process; fuel consumption is sufficient. You can make a smoke generator using electric or gas fuel, but then the costs of paying for the services of supplying companies will increase.

The smokehouse is placed on brick base, which is buried in the ground: if you do not use bricks for installation, problems may arise from soil moisture. You can make drawings for the base structure yourself after calculating the width and length of the chamber. The dimensions of the base should be 20 cm wider than the chamber on each side.

The place should be level and comfortable for work; it should be placed on open space without tall bushes and trees. After selection metal container for the combustion chamber, it is covered with a piece of metal to prevent smoke from escaping. The chimney duct is installed at a level above the smoking chamber. For equal distribution and emission of harmful components after fuel combustion, the entrance is made at least 20 cm.

A homemade smokehouse is made from a grate on which hooks for food are hung. A tray of small height is laid under the grate, while slots are made between the walls for harmful flue gases. From above, the entire structure is covered with damp material, for example, a tarpaulin, to protect food from contamination. The temperature in a homemade chamber is measured an ordinary thermometer, which is mounted on the walls. Installing a smoke generator does not require expensive building materials, items are used that in most cases are always at hand.

Products obtained by cold smoking are subject to long-term storage. Due to lack heat treatment they retain many nutrients. If the owner does not want to make a generator with his own hands, then he can be purchased at the store; fortunately, there are many models of various sizes on sale.

Using a portable smoke generator for a smokehouse

Due to the large dimensions homemade devices have a limited area of application. In some cases, a portable installation is required, which you can take with you to the dacha or to another place. Designed for such cases smoke generator for smoking chamber. The device allows you to connect to the camera and create a large number of thick smoke. Since the unit is an economical device, it effective work The device is organized using a small amount of fuel resources.

Its fundamental difference from stationary devices is that a forced air flow is needed to obtain a high-pressure area and cooling.

Professional smoking chamber with smoke generator

Factory units of this type are available for sale in a large assortment. High-quality products, completely ready for use, come complete with detailed instructions about the rules of use. A set of various pendants and hooks for different products and their smoking is sold along with the unit.

Simple models involve cooling the smoke masses by passing through a long pipe. But in small compact models the smoke cannot cool completely Due to the short length of the chimney, it is not possible to obtain an ideal cold smoking process. In this case, the smoking time decreases, but the quality of the product suffers.

Water cooling smokehouse

The design of the cooler in the smoke generator includes housings located one inside the other, with water flowing in the outer one. To reduce its consumption, apply a small pressure, and if necessary, do not pour out the liquid, but pour it from one tank to another. The inner housing is a heat exchanger with the function of cooling the smoke flow. Water makes the walls cold, and smoke from contact with them loses temperature.

Air cooled smokehouse

This option provides a serpentine pipe, which, due to its curvature, has a greater length. The temperature of the smoke stream decreases due to the exchange of heat with atmospheric jets. The chimney is made of metal and there are no length restrictions for this design. The drawings consider the rational length calculated for each individual case.

Despite the fact that the payback on an industrial gas generator is large, since the prices for products prepared by cold smoking are high, many users try to make such a smoking device with their own hands. You can see educational video about this process.

Smoke generators for smoking products are very popular among those who love food with “smoke” and are widely used in the food industry. They are valued not only because you can use them to prepare smoked products yourself, but also because they are easy to manufacture and maintain.

(Fig. 1 - smoke generator)

What is a smoke generator?

A smoke generator is a special device that generates or creates smoke smoke for smoking various food products. In a smoke generator, smoke is generated by the smoldering of sawdust and wood chips, mainly from hardwood. They can be, for example, oak, alder, etc. In this case, sawdust and wood chips do not ignite, but only smolder. Smoke is formed in smokehouses, or otherwise called sausage chambers. Smoke is created due to temperature changes or using fans. The smoke generator is powered from a household voltage of 220 V.

(Fig. 2 - Example device any smoke generator)

How does a smoke generator work - how does it work?

The smoke generator operates on the principle of pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is the process of decomposition of organic natural compounds in the absence of oxygen, in our case wood. The essence of the smoke generator is quite simple. Smoke production occurs due to the simultaneous occurrence of two continuous interrelated processes: heating of sawdust and oxygen-free smoldering.

The smoke generator device itself is a closed compact box, not large sizes, each part of which performs specific functions.

Front end. There is a switch panel here that allows you to control the operation of the device.
Top part. There is a hopper for supplying chips and a pipe for removing smoke.
The internal part is equipped with a mechanism that supplies a dosed amount of chips to the heating element, a tray for collecting ash and an electronic controller that is responsible for temperature regime and chip feed frequency.

In this case, the controller is always set to the optimal mode, allowing the temperature of the heating element to ensure guaranteed smoldering of the chips and prevent them from igniting. The chip feeding mechanism is adjusted in such a way as to ensure a stable supply of fresh, thick smoke into the smoking chamber.

Smoke generator dimensions

One smoke generator may differ from another; factory models of devices have a passport, which indicates the optimal volume of the cabinet. As for homemade smoke generators, the container to which the smoke generator is connected must correspond to its power, because if you attach a container for several tons of product to a small household smoke generator, there will be no effect. Therefore, it is necessary to correlate the performance of the smoke source with the volume of the cabinet so that it is sufficiently filled with smoke.

A homemade smoke generator, as a rule, is connected to a container that is selected experimentally. Accordingly, it is difficult to accurately correlate the volume of the generator and the cabinet, since it is necessary to take into account the performance, which is different for each device. However, most often a cabinet with a volume of about 0.3 m3 is used. Moreover, everyone can create a device according to their own size.

(Fig. 3 - Smoked meats)

Where is a smoke generator used and its advantages?

A smoke generator can be useful not only for smoked meat lovers, but also for summer residents, fishermen, hunters and even entrepreneurs who can earn income from signature smoked meats.

The smoke generation device will allow you to prepare a variety of food products at home:

fish;
meat;
salo;
vegetables.

The advantage of a “home” smoke generator compared to “purchased” smoked meats from stores and supermarkets:

Thanks to the device you can prepare natural homemade delicacies from natural products. All products contain natural fats; no additional spices or ingredients are required during the cooking process. Unlike products from stores, which acquired their taste using chemical flavors.
In progress home smoked You decide for yourself what additives you will use in cooking. Manufacturers always add preservatives and flavor enhancers to smoked products from supermarkets so that the product can be stored for a long time, which negatively affects health.
The cost is at least 2 times lower, and the quality is 10 times better!
You are always confident in the high quality of the product and can invent your own original dish.
The delight of friends when they try homemade smoked fish. Smoked fish from the store is not capable of surprising anyone and is unlikely to become a desirable dish on the holiday table.

Is it possible to make a smoke generator with your own hands?

A smoke generator for a smokehouse is a fairly simple, but extremely effective device that is quite possible. The whole attractiveness of the smoke generator is that it can operate in automatic mode. The temperature in the smoking cabinet is not too high, so there is no need to worry about the food burning.

The secret to installation is how to ensure consistent, even combustion and how to feed smoke into the smoking cabinet. To assemble a smoke generator for a smokehouse in a home workshop you will not need many elements.

Moreover, all components can be easily purchased in a store or, after searching carefully, found in your own garage or home workshop. Drawings and instructions for assembling a smoke generator for a smokehouse are abundant on the Internet. To build a smoke generator with your own hands, you will need more welding machine, grinder and some skills in working with them.

Smoke generator from fire extinguisher

As a practical and affordable source for a smoke generator, you can take a used fire extinguisher. The manufacture of the device does not require significant investment. Items you will need:

fire extinguisher body;
smoke exhaust pipe;
compressor for air supply or fan (cooler);
nipple 3/4;
long sweep 3/4 (for smoke removal);
3/4 tee;
union;
copper tube, diameter 14 mm.

Below is a diagram of the operation of a homemade smoke generator from a fire extinguisher.

The fire extinguisher is taken with a diameter of about 100 mm and a length of 400 - 500 mm. These dimensions will allow you to produce enough smoke for a smoking chamber with a volume of up to 1 m³. At the bottom of the container, two Ø 10 mm holes are drilled for the blower. It is located at a height of 50 mm from the bottom. For the upper part we use a fire extinguisher cap with a ¾ cut internal pipe thread.

From the fire extinguisher, smoke enters the smoking chamber through inch pipe 150-250 mm long, screwed into the tee.

Various compressors with low capacity are suitable as a compressor:

for aquarium;
in this case, a computer (laptop) cooling fan.

Suitable for powering a compressor made from cardboard, stationery tape and a computer fan. Charger from a mobile phone. It is easier to use a factory compressor, provided that it is available, since its purchase will significantly increase the cost of the entire structure.

(Fig. 7 - Air blower from a cooler for a smoke generator)

An old refrigerator can be used as a smoking chamber. The advantages of this solution:

tight closing of the door thanks to an airtight seal;
optimal temperature conditions and smoke density in the chamber for cold smoking.

Making a smoke generator with your own hands from a handy cylinder will require the performer to have technical knowledge and the availability of tools.

Drawings of homemade smoke generators

Homemade smoke generators can be made using ready-made drawings already available on the Internet. Here are some of the simplest and most popular ones.

(Fig. 8 - Drawing for smoke generator 1)

(Fig. 9 - Drawing for smoke generator 2)

(Fig. 10 - Drawing for smoke generator 3)

As we can see, drawings and diagrams of smoke generators are completely different in design and complexity.

Factory smoke generators

Nowadays, smoke generators can also be purchased in stores, so those who have financial means and do not have the time or ability to make a smoke generator with their own hands can buy one. The price of devices is completely different and it depends on the number of functions, power and trademark. Let's look at the most popular ones.

Smoke generator Bravo

(Fig. 11 - Bravo smoke generator)

The Bravo brand smoke generator has several models. Let's study the simplest and inexpensive Bravo Favorit. Ideal option for a beginner smoker. The model is in mass demand.

Model characteristics

How does the Bravo Favorit smoke generator work?

We get a smoke generator.
We connect the compressor.
We fill in the wood chips.
Turn on the compressor.
We set fire to the wood chips.

Smoke generator Haze

(Fig. 12 - smoke generator Dymka)

Smoke generator Haze is an automated installation for generating smoke for hot and cold smoking into the smoking chamber.

Model characteristics

How does the Dymka smoke generator work?

Wood chips are poured into the smoke generator tank.
The electric stand turns on. First, the maximum temperature level is set. For 10 minutes, when smoke appears, after which the temperature is halved.
The smoke is exhausted to the smoking cabinet, where the products to be smoked are placed (hung).

Smoke generator Hobbi Smoke

(Fig. 13 - Hobbi Smoke smoke generator)

Hobbi Smoke is one of the popular models of smoke generators. The brand has several models, consider model 1.0.

Model characteristics

How does the Hobbi Smoke smoke generator work?

We get a smoke generator.
We attach it to any container from 0.1 to 12 m3. Any will do cardboard box, a barrel or even an old refrigerator or microwave.
We connect the compressor.
We fill in the wood chips.
Turn on the compressor.
Let's light it up.

A rather large disadvantage of this smoke generator is the unjustified location of the smoke output nozzle - in the lower part of the wood chip chamber. Due to this arrangement, the smoke can enter the smoking chamber quite hot, which is unacceptable for cold smoking.

Smoke generator Hanhi

(Fig. 14 - Hanhi smoke generator)

Hanhi smoke generator is ideal for cold smoking. The smoke generator is based on food grade stainless steel AISI430 GOST 5632-72. This steel is most often used in the food industry. The advantage of stainless steel is that it does not oxidize, does not rust, and does not emit toxic substances when heated.

Model characteristics

How does the Hanhi smoke generator work?

We pour wood chips into the tank.
We turn on the electrical stand and the compressor.
We direct the device to the smoking cabinet.

The smoking process with this smoke generator is fully automated. The chips can be of any moisture content, which means they do not require additional drying.

Where to buy a smoke generator?

You cannot buy a smoke generator in a regular store selling equipment and specialized devices. You can purchase them at affordable prices in online stores that sell generators. To sell each smoke generator, its own online platform is most often created. For example, the Hobbi Smoke smoke generator can be purchased on the website hobbi-smoke.ru

You can also purchase generators in the following online stores:

smoke generator.hanki.rf;
Russiandymka.rf;
bravo-smoker.ru;
kopti-sam.in.ua/.

Estimated prices for smoke generators for smoking

Prices for smoke generators for smoking vary from approximately 4 to 12 thousand rubles. On some days, sellers offer promotions on smoke generators, and the price can drop to three thousand.

Let us give the cost of the devices we described above.

Cost of smoke generators

The smoke generator included in the smokehouse is designed to generate smoke masses.

It works through two processes: heating sawdust And smoldering without the use of oxygen. You can make it yourself using a metal pipe, an ejector that creates draft, and a compressor.

What is included in the smoke generator device for cold and hot smoking?

The smoke producing device consists of the following components:

A housing that is a cylindrical or square container. The best material For the manufacture of a smoke generator, stainless steel is used, but the use of other metals or alloys is allowed. This main structural element, so special attention should be paid to it during assembly. The housing must meet certain dimensions, be sealed and contain required amount fuel.
The chimney is mounted on the body and is designed to remove smoke from the ejector into the smoking chamber. This component is attached using a weld seam. It should be perforated or include a tightly wound spring. Using this element, you can regulate the flow of smoke mass into the smokehouse; during assembly, you need to pay special attention to the chimney.
The ejector is used as a tool to create the necessary thrust.
The compressor serves to improve the operation of the previous element and mixing oxygen with the smoke mass produced inside the housing.

Each part of the smoke generator performs its functions and if one is missing, the operation of the entire installation is disrupted.

Photo 1. Homemade smoke generator for a smokehouse, the body of which is made of a square container.

Smoke generator creates a smoky mass, feeds it into the cabinet, where the preparation of smoked meats takes place. Smoke interacts with meat or fish and as a result chemical reaction products are transformed into delicious food.

The smoke generator housing is filled with special wood chips, the flow rate of which is equal to 100 g/h provided that smoking is done in a cold way. Then the air duct and compressor are connected to the housing. Only after this can the fuel be ignited. It is worth noting that there are two options for smoke generators, namely with an upper and lower ejector location.

Preparing for assembly

In order to assemble the smoke generator completely, required:

Square pipe cross section 100×100 or round diameter from 100 to 120 mm. It must be made of steel or stainless steel.
Pipe sections radius from 12 to 20 mm. Length can reach up to 40 cm. They will be used to create a smoke valve when it comes to hot smoking.
Plastic corrugated pipe length 2-3 mm, and better metal hose Its diameter must correspond to the size of the external chimney.
Compressor— tee connection for pipelines. The diameter should correspond to the channel through which the smoke is supplied.
Wires and switch.
Thermometer.

Reference. All components can be purchased in the store and purchasing components for a smoke generator will not require any special expenses.

To completely assemble the smoke generator you will need welding machine, grinder And minimum work experience with similar tools.

To an inexperienced person, the procedure for welding a chimney fitting to a pipe, producing firebox doors and various covers may seem difficult.

But if you have minimal skills in working with welding and a grinder, then there will be no hiccups.

If you have no experience, it is better to resort to specialist help. Otherwise, you can simply damage the smoke generator during assembly.

Manufacturing process, drawing

To make a working device you need adhere to the following sequence:

It is necessary to make a body. To do this, you can use a round or profiled pipe with a diameter from 100 to 120 mm. The wider the pipeline element, the more sawdust will fit in it. The length of the workpiece should be approximately 60 cm. When creating a large enclosure, it is worth remembering that a large unit will be more difficult to refuel and move.

Photo 2. Drawing of a smoke generator for cold smoking. To manufacture the device, it is supposed to use a profiled pipe.

Next step compressor is being installed, the functions of which can be performed by a cooler removed from an old computer. With its help, the smoke will go to the right place, and air circulation will occur faster.
Necessary connect the smoke generator to the smoking chamber. This procedure requires special attention, since the installation has a rather complex algorithm.

Important! When connecting, you need to follow the instructions, which say that smoke enters the smokehouse through a special pipeline. Do not forget that the latter must be cooled before use. To achieve a similar effect, you need to place the chimney in cold water or make the hose longer.

If the person who assembles the smoke generator and connects it to the smokehouse complies with all the instructions, he can rest assured that the device will work properly. If there is too little or too much smoky mass, It's worth checking the connections.

Photo 3. Drawing of a smoke generator for a smokehouse, the body of which is made of a fire extinguisher.

A cold smokehouse will perform its functions well if a smoke generator is correctly connected to it; the quality of the food in the smokehouse depends on it. Incorrect assembly may affect the taste of meat or fish.

Reference. As a body, you can use a regular fire extinguisher with a diameter of about 100 mm and length of 400-500 mm.

Difficulties in assembling a homemade smoke generator, choosing a compressor

The device of the described smoke generator is quite simple, but requires attention. During manufacturing, a person may encounter the problem of insufficient air supply. To optimize this process to design can be connected pump, aquarium compressor, home fan or the computer cooler mentioned above.

As fuel for a smoke generator Do not use wood that releases resin, as it can give the food an incorrect smell and taste. It is also not recommended to use elements that are too small, but if there is no other choice, you need to take care of a small chimney, the role of which can be played by an ordinary spring. It will allow smoky masses to pass freely even through a layer of sawdust.

Do not forget about such an element of the smokehouse as ejector. If it is installed at the bottom of the combustion chamber, it will interfere natural influx of air masses.

Smokehouses constructed in this way require constant monitoring. Otherwise, the products will spoil.

You can get rid of the indicated inconveniences by moving the ejector to the top of the installation. If you take such measures, all the unpleasant aspects caused by poor quality work will most likely disappear.

How to properly connect a smoke generator with your own hands?

Do not forget that an important point is smoke temperature in the smoke generator. It determines both the smell and taste, and appearance prepared smoked meats. For adjustment purposes, you can increase or decrease the length of the pipeline. The longer it is, the lower the temperature will be.

You need to make sure pipe tightness, through which smoke enters. If a hole is found in it, it must be patched immediately and a different hose must be used. Such malfunctions can lead to leakage of smoky masses and incomplete smoking; it will take much more time to prepare the products, or it will not be possible to achieve the desired result at all.

Due to the simplicity of the design, any problem can be detected. If a person did the installation with his own hands, then he probably knows where he could have made a mistake. An indication of an incorrect connection may be bad taste of food due to their presence in concentrated smoke.