smoking your own fish? any advice?

skintbint_2

hi wondering if anybody has ever built their own fish smoker? my lot only like smoked fish and DS is getting right into his fishing, (mostly mackerel) also the difference in price between white and smoked can be a couple of £ per kilo. have looked at them online - not prepared to pay £70 in lakeland! have tried reading up on the net but seems to be mostly american big time smokers, or using a hotplate and all i'm looking for a homemade tin! but how? whats the difference between hot smoking and cold smoking? can i use wood chips from the local joiners?
any ideas?
have got an old BBQ, some chicken wire if that helps!

(sorry if wrong thread but couldnt think where else to post this)

meritaten

I believe I saw Jamie Oliver using a chocolate tin to smoke a few fillets of fish. right on the cooker in the kitchen!
may be worth looking up hun!

skintbint_2

thanks will have a google!

Draagonfly

I think Hugh F-W made a homemade smoker at some point too so maybe worth searching for that too

ETA: Found the man himself giving a simple explaination & recipes here

skintbint_2

thanks - will try with the old BBQ so its doesnt stink the house out -

becs

My sister in law's father made his own smoker out of an ol metal filing cabinet! Was brilliant as used the drawer runners to put something accross and hang the fish? Worked a treat.

skintbint_2

becs wrote: »

My sister in law's father made his own smoker out of an ol metal filing cabinet! Was brilliant as used the drawer runners to put something accross and hang the fish? Worked a treat.

what a ingenious way to do it - bottom drawer i take was where he burnt the shavings and made racks - then covered the front with of it i presume. wonder where i can get hold of one!

becs

Yep i just googled it now and it seems to be the most common form of home smoking! Could have a look round any old offices that may look to be having some refurbishment done, probably not many in the current climate though! Or stick a wanted add on freecycle.

taxsaver

skintbint wrote: »

hi wondering if anybody has ever built their own fish smoker? my lot only like smoked fish and DS is getting right into his fishing, (mostly mackerel) also the difference in price between white and smoked can be a couple of £ per kilo. have looked at them online - not prepared to pay £70 in lakeland! have tried reading up on the net but seems to be mostly american big time smokers, or using a hotplate and all i'm looking for a homemade tin! but how? whats the difference between hot smoking and cold smoking? can i use wood chips from the local joiners?
any ideas?
have got an old BBQ, some chicken wire if that helps!

(sorry if wrong thread but couldnt think where else to post this)

Hot smoking is where the smoke comes from a fire and the fish/meat is suspended above it..... that is it gets cooked in the heat from the fire at the same time as it is being smoked.

Cold smoking is where the smoke comes from smouldering saw-dust/wood-chips/shavings and does not generate any notable heat.... ideally the source of the smoke should NOT be under the food but instead to one side with the smoke being funnulled (or blown with a fan) into the smoking chamber.

As far as using chips from the local joiner goes, that depends on the wood type that is being used and whether or not the wood is treated.... any preservatives in the wood can give off toxic fumes with the smoke and at the very least taint the flavour. Hardwoods like oak, ash, chestnuts are best, softwoods like pine can be very sappy.

jackieb

We had one of these. Got it a few years ago from Matalan for £50. Pity you didn't ask earlier in the year as OH got fed-up of his toy and put it in the skip - and you're near me as well.

http://www.internetgardener.co.uk/product/barbecues/brinkman-double-charcoal-smoker-and-grill/4897

skintbint_2

thanks tax saver will try the hot smoking method first and will speak to the joiners -even if i have to chop the wood into smaller kindling not sure how easy it will be to get wood that hasnt been treated with something - mouth watering at the thought of smoked mackerel pate and homemade irish soda bread! what a treat and all for pennies!