How to Make a Convection Smoker

Slow-cooking meat in a smoker helps bring out the flavor and makes the meat tender and succulent. You can build your own smoker that takes advantage of convection cooking to enjoy these flavors in your backyard. Convection cooking cooks evenly and faster than other methods of cooking. Your smoker will use convection by allowing the smoke to move through the entire smoker and evenly cooking the meat.

Metal trash can
Electric drill
2 to 3 bricks
Hot plate
Pan
Wood chips
Grate
Thermometer

Instructions

- 1
  Drill three 1-inch holes in the bottom of your metal trash can. One will be for running the hot plate’s electrical cord out of the bottom, and the other two will help vent the smoke. You can also use a ceramic flowerpot. This will make a smaller smoker, but it works for smaller cuts of meat. Choose a ceramic flowerpot that comes with a drainage hole.
- 2
  Put the trash can or pot on top of two to three bricks so that it’s elevated enough to provide adequate smoke ventilation.
- 3
  Place the hot plate in the bottom of the trash can or pot. Run the electrical cord through one of the holes and plug it in. Use an extension cord if you need to.
- 4
  Set the pan over the hot plate, and fill it with wood chips.
- 5
  Top the trash can with the metal grate. You can purchase these separately or use one that comes with a basic circular grill. Depending on the size of the trash can, the grate should fit snugly a few inches down into the can.
- 6
  Drill two 1-inch holes into the top of the trash can and cover the can.
- 7
  Place your thermometer into one of the drilled holes. The hole should be small enough so that the thermometer hangs on the top of the trash can and reads the internal temperature while you read it on the outside.
- 8
  Allow the wood chips to smoke, and then place your meat on top of the grate.

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