6 Creative and Inexpensive DIY Smoker Ideas (Help Me Pick One)

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Let’s make a DIY smoker!

I was not very enthused about cleaning up the yard until one afternoon I saw a blog post titled ‘How to Build A Grilling Island’. 

I have always wanted to find out how to build a smoker (a natural gas smoker would be the dream but one step at a time).

This got my thinking! I could clean up the backyard to make space for a new project. A DIY smoker! Genius!

I could have my own smokehouse for delicious BBQ food all the time!

I have found all these fantastic ideas for DIY smokers on famous BBQ blogs. I’m thinking the drum smoker might be my favorite, but I can’t decide what to build.

 Let’s check out the DIY project options together!

The Best DIY Smoker Ideas

I have narrowed my list to 6 of my favorite DIY smoker options.

• Cinder Block Smoker
  
  
• Refrigerator Smoker
  
  
• Filing Cabinet Smoker
  
  
• Whiskey Barrel Smoker
  
  
• Clay Pot Smoker

1. The Cinder Block Smoker

I am unsure if I have the room to make a cinder block smoker this size or if I want something that uses charcoal. However, I can get some cinder blocks from a friend who conveniently works in construction.

It’s not the best-looking set up out of the bunch but is fairly easy to make and by all accounts works really, really well.setup, but it’s fairly easy to make and, by all accounts,

The building method can be found over on Caught Smoking BBQ.

Wondering how else you can use cinder blocks? Check out some other awesome DIY ideas!

2. The Refrigerator Smoker

The used refrigerator smoker has a cool look (depending on what refrigerator you can get your hands on) and fairly simple to make. I would love to try smoking tomahawks steak in here; I think they would come out perfect.
The instructions to making this cinder block smoker can be found over at Grit.

3. The Filing Cabinet Smoker

My wife works in an office and I’m sure she can get her hands on an old filing cabinet.

I like the look and functionality of the filing cabinet smoker; however, it requires a fair bit of grinding and metal work.

The method for building this filing cabinet smoker can be found at The Recykler.

​​Due to the fact we are DIYing here, im going to guess your homemade smoker doesn’t have a built in temp gauge! The last thing you want is too spend weeks/ months/ years working on your smoker to only burn/ under cook your meat. Do your smoker and pride a favour and grab a digital meat thermometer for smoking. 

4. The Old Pellet Smoker

I love pellet furniture, and it’s almost endless use for second-hand pellets. Pellets have become quite trendy, and you tend to see them in many cafes, bars, and backyards worldwide.

This is quite a big project with lots of custom work. However, the result looks fantastic.

The instructions and a comprehensive guide to making this pellet smoker are on the DIY Projects blog.

5. The Whiskey Barrel Smoker

I want a whiskey barrel smoker. I love the look of an old whiskey barrel and think that the whiskey’s flavor would be a great addition to any smoked meat.

However, I’m unsure where I could come across a second-hand whiskey barrel at a reasonable price.

A comprehensive step-by-step guide ​on building a whiskey barrel smoker can be found here.

6. The Clay Pot Smoker

The clay pot smoker is an old favorite I have used in the past.

I don’t intend to build this one again, however, I thought it would be a great one for someone who doesn’t have to much building experience, or doesn’t have much room at home for a bigger build.

A step-by-step guide ​on building a clay pot smoker at Mother Earth News.

Each of these DIY smokers looks awesome to me. I love the idea of reusing and re-purposing materials!

Have you ever made your DIY smoker, BBQ, or even pizza oven?

Still Hungry For More?