Build Your Own Flower Pot Smoker

Chimney smokers come from the factory in a variety of sizes. The chimney smokers that are most often purchased from a department store are similar in appearance to a metal chimney pipe and may be hard to find except during the spring and summer months. Homemade chimney smokers also vary in type and size, and while a metal chimney pipe smoker could be made at home; there are several draw backs to making a metal chimney smoker. Some metals can be toxic if used for smoking foods, and determining what metal is safe and at what temperature the metal becomes toxic can be tricky. The best way to make a safe, user friendly chimney is smoker is to construct one from terracotta pots. This style of chimney smoker can be made with little effort, is cost efficient and completely safe.

Materials:
3 bricks
3 terracotta pot feet
18-inch terracotta flower pot
Round hotplate
18-inch terracotta flower pot bowl
Metal pie plate
Terracotta tray (optional)
Charcoal grill grate
Grill thermometerOutdoor rated extension cord

Place three bricks onto a flat surface. Arrange the bricks into a circular pattern. Allow space between the inside area of the bricks, as well as a slight opening at the end of two of the bricks. The space between the bricks allows air to flow into the flower pot chimney smoker, and the small opening at the end of the two bricks will leave room for the hotplate's electrical cord.

Place the hot plate into the bottom of the 18-inch flower pot. Make sure that you thread the power cord through the hole in the bottom of the flower pot. Be careful to not damage the electrical prongs.

Set the flower pot feet onto the bricks, and carefully place the 18-inch flower pot onto the pot feet. This size of flower pot is rather heavy, so you may need to enlist help to get the pot situated perfectly onto the feet. Make sure that the hot plate power cord is able to fit between the bricks, and is not pinched between the bricks.

Add a metal pie plate onto the hot plate. This pie plate will hold your wood chips during the smoking process. If you have trouble locating a metal pie plate, you may also use a terracotta tray as an insert.

Insert the charcoal grate into the terracotta pot. It should fist securely onto the inside pot rim ledge. A snug fit will give the grate added stability.

Place the 18-inch round terracotta bowl onto the top of the 18-inch flower pot. Set a grill thermometer into the bowl's drainage hole.

Only plug the smoker into the outdoor extension cord when the smoker is in use.

References:

BBQ Smoker Guide: BBQ Smoker Plans Build Your Own Smoker

Kitchen Project: Flower Pot Smoker