I realise I'm probably opening the door for a lot of wise-cracks here ("when it comes to Herring, I prefer roll-mop rather than roll-up".. you know, that kind of thing), and my alternative choice of headline for this post wouldn't have helped either ("Smoking Fish") - but if inbetween all the clever stuff someone would be kind enough to recommend one I would be grateful - there are a lot out there, cold smoke, hot smoke, etc etc.. and I need it primarily for trout by the way, if that makes any difference. Thanks in advance..

For small scale use, I've had great luck using a Weber Kettle BBQ grill. Do a search on "weber smoker", it should come up. I think it works very well, it's technically warm/hot smoking, but then very few if any small-scale smokers can actually do true cold smoking because in a small space heat builds up too quickly to keep cold smoking temp levels.

The added bonus to a Weber is that you get a fine BBQ grill as well as a smoker and you might already own one.

Beyond that, a friend of mine has done salmon and steelhead using nothing more than a coffee tin, 3 bakers cooling racks, and a large cardboard box. I tasted the results and they were very good, his total investment was about $10. Google "cardboard box smoker" or some such, there are plenty of sites that detail this technique.

I think it's fun to smoke fish and game and I enjoy scrounging different types of wood. Any fruit tree is a potential source of some free wood just by asking. I've never met an apple or pear tree that didn't need a little pruning. ..

Grouse

Hot smoking is a heck of a lot easier , in the set up and in carrying it out. Cold smoking needs a pretty big set up.

However dont expect a product like smoked salmon,from a hot smoker I use a really basic (£20) one. I have tried heaps of different wood chips and dust, and find the good old ABU is a good as it gets for me. The fish are delicious.

I've been looking at various ideas for a cold smoker. Considered a Bradley - expensive both to buy and run. Thought about a self build affair, then I spotted these eBay UK Shop - BBQ COLD SMOKE GENERATOR SMOKER: Cold Smoking, Smoked Fish, Beef Jerky
Still needs some DIY but a great idea, and a fraction of the cost of a Bradley

Hi Mate,

I've had one of these a while but only used it a few times

If you're interested in buying one (IT) i'll dig it out and confirm the size for you, will certainly be cheaper than buying from the states !

Cheers,


J

A good link for hot smoking:

Juancho's Split Grill Barbecue Smoking Method to Improve the Performance of Your Weber Grill

Works well from my own experience.

There was a thread a while ago which may help:

Smokers

HTH

Paul

Snowbe sell a very good hot smoker, effective and easy to use - fish tastes great. See this link Fishing Accessories at the bottom of the page.
Bill

Thanks for this Grouse - good suggestion regarding the BBQ, I don't have a small kettle type but I guess the principle still applies to a larger type if I want to smoke a batch of fish.. and as for the fruit tree suggestion, I have a chery tree in my garden which I pruned just last week - and yes, disposed of the wood! Doh!

Hi jloc,
I'd be interested if you sell.
let me know.
Top Conker

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Used to be an angry young man, now I'm an angry old man.

You can bomb people into pieces but you cant bomb them into peace.

i picked a smoker up at the glasgow angling centre for £19.99 on sunday.hopeing to try it out this weekend!

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fishing in scottish waters