Shopsmith Forums

Anyone ever make a meat smoker out of clay flowerpots?
I am not much into smoking meat but always looking for something to be different. A conversation item at a cookout.

Now, that's really neat!

cincinnati wrote:Anyone ever make a meat smoker out of clay flowerpots?
I am not much into smoking meat but always looking for something to be different. A conversation item at a cookout.

I have wanted to try it, but had a hard time finding the correct size pots locally. The big box stores didn't have what I needed...I suppose I should try some smaller garden stores.

Isn't there a problem with terracotta and radiation?????

I thought I had heard this was the reason most clay ware were glazed with ceramic paint is to prevent radiation or something from bleeding into the food.

Also if the grate is galvanized I believe heating it can give off chemicals that aren't good for you.

Just vague memories but I think I would check it out before I cooked too much on them.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Isn't there a problem with terracotta and radiation?????

I thought I had heard this was the reason most clay ware were glazed with ceramic paint is to prevent radiation or something from bleeding into the food.

Also if the grate is galvanized I believe heating it can give off chemicals that aren't good for you.

Just vague memories but I think I would check it out before I cooked too much on them.

The 'meat' does not contact the terra cotta surface(it is porous, not radiant).


I would assume a barbeque rack would not be 'galvanized'(or cad plated).

Ed in Tampa wrote:Isn't there a problem with terracotta and radiation?????

I thought I had heard this was the reason most clay ware were glazed with ceramic paint is to prevent radiation or something from bleeding into the food.

Also if the grate is galvanized I believe heating it can give off chemicals that aren't good for you.

Just vague memories but I think I would check it out before I cooked too much on them.

Thanks, will look into that. I have read a lot on the subject and never once heard anything about pots and radiation. I believe some cooks bake bread in clay pots.
I would stick to grill racks to be safe. You are correct galvanized would be a no no.
I am thinking of using charcoal as a heat source. I have read that hardwood lump charcoal used in a smoker, where you can control air flow, can last for many hours.
The flower pot idea is based on the "Big Green Egg" smokers that cost $800.
http://www.biggreenegg.com/

I have an idea in my head where I would use around an 18" flower pot and build some kind of 3 leg stand out of 4x4 post. If one could drill a hole in the bottom of the clay pot you could use a 2 1/2" metal blast gate as a way to control airflow. http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page ... te=ROCKLER

All this is just kinda an idea in my head right now. Just another project on my long list that may or may not get built. Most likely will hold off till I can find pots for cheap. Can see where it would be hard to find the correct combination of grates and pot size.