Now we’re smokin’

Why didn’t I do this years ago! Being able to smoke stuff (food that is) is awesome. After watching countless youtube videos on the subject I was totally inspired to make my own smoker. Of course those mechanical smokers with digital displays are pretty cool, but I came to the conclusion that it doesn’t matter how you do it, you just have to do it. So I put mine together as simply as possible. I found some big cookie tins in a thrift store for $1 each. I cut out the bottom of one, this would give it some height away from the heat. I punched a bunch of holes in the bottom of the second tin and soldered it on top of the first. This is where I would put the malt or barley or whatever else I’m going to smoke. These tins fit perfectly on one side of my portable bar-b-que. I love this bar-b-que, it only cost $20 and it cooks meat way better than the gas grill I had. It’s got a handle on the top so it’s very easy to transport, whoever designed these is a frickin’ genius. So I covered the other half of the grill area with a lid from another cookie tin that fit nicely. I made a small charcoal fire on this side and added some applewood chunks from our apple tree. Historically fires were used to dry the germinated barley and this would impart some smoke flavour. I have to admit I was a bit too lazy to do it this way, I could have, but for such a small amount I decided to just soak some of the raw 6 row barley and smoke it unmalted. My smoker worked beautifully and the barley was almost dry in 45 minutes. It has an amazing applewood smoke aroma. I can’t wait to brew it up. Here’s the video: