The Rauch Boy Knockoff

[Oxankle]

Today I took a tomato can and made the inner chamber for my smoker, A La Michael Bush's adaptation of the Rauch Boy.

After using the smoker for an hour or so I am convinced that if thr idea is not already patented all smokers will be made that way in a few years.

It is so nice to put the smoker down for a few minutes and find it ready to go again when you pick it up.

I cannot buy corks around here, so I have a carved wooden plug to choke off the smoker when not in use. Tomorrow I will see how much fuel is left. The smoker seems to go on idle when you are not pumping it, so I expect fuel consumption is not bad.
Ox

[wayacoyote]

I had been thinking of this same design everytime I have to light or dump my smoker even before I saw Michael's design. We must think a like... I take that as a compliment.

Anyway, for a plug, I shove a stick in the hole. Doing so leaves me with some charred and dried stuff for lighting next time.

WayaCoyote

[Michael Bush]

I usually find a nice stick that just fits and break it off short enough to be handy. Then I lose the stick. But a bundle of green grass works well too. Just tear off a bit of grass and fold it over a few times until it's about the right size and stuff it in the hole. Of course, I keep meaning to buy a cork. But actually, just laying it on it's side will almost always work unless the wind is really howling.

[loggermike]

You fellas obviously dont drink wine (or drink cheap screw on cap types!) or you would have a good supply of corks!

[Oxankle]

Lol, Mike;
On our honeymoon, in the bridal suite at bedtime I uncorked a bottle of champagne. The cork flew out, hit the ceiling and was never seen again. Being thrifty, we drank the whole bottle rather than see it go flat. Predictable results; I have had no use for Champagne since.

A report; I have now used my Rauch-boy knockoff three times, the last two times only l5 minutes or so each. The original roll of burlap in the inner can has burned about a inch. It appears to me that the sucker is not only a better performer, but more economical on fuel as well. When done I plug the smoker, the fire goes out and my fuel is there for next time.
Ox

[mrbillz]

Just read this interesting post- So, does the inner can just sit inside the smoker and move around freely? Are there holes in the bottom / sides of the can and the smoker or just the can? This sounds like tha answer to a major gripe I've been having re: keeping that thing lit so I can take my time w/ the bees.

Thanks for the info!

[Pugs]

Michael will tell ya, but go to this link and look at his pictures of it.
http://incolor.inetnebr.com/bush/bush_bees.htm

You'll see that tabs are cut towards the top that open up to kind of hold it in the center of the smoker.

Pugs

[jfischer]

Another common way to snuff a smoker is to
open the top, and lay a sheet or two of
newspaper across the opening, closing the top
to hold them in place.

Sounds counter-intuitive, and it clearly
would never work in a smoker with a full
chamber and/or active flames, but some
people swear by them.

I like corks. When we eat at my favorite
Indian place, they hand me a large zip-lock
bag full of them whenever I ask. Of course
it helps if you bring lots of guests along
and tip well...