Why spend big bucks on a fancy smoke infuser when you can make your own using stuff destined for the bin?
That’s right! You can upcycle everyday items to take your grilling game to the next level.
I’m eyeing that tin can of coconut cream, tomato sauce, or evaporated milk in your recyclables.
Today, I’ll show you how to turn an old tin into a flavor infuser, aka a cold smoker.
What Is Cold Smoking?
Cold smoking is infusing food with flavor without turning up the heat enough to cook it. Fish, meats, cheeses, and vegetables—they all soak the smoky notes of fragrant wood beautifully.
Imagine biting into cold-smoked bacon bursting with rich, woodsy applewood or savory hickory. Drooling already?
Fortunately, you don’t need an elaborate contraption to make your DIY smoker!
How to Make a Flavor Infuser Using a Tin Can
For this 5-minute project, you’ll need the following supplies:
- BPA-free tin can (10 oz or bigger)
- Keyhole puncher (or a knife only if absolutely necessary)
- Can opener
- Soldering iron with a flathead tip
- Pliers
- Extension cord (optional)
Plus, some smoking essentials:
- Grill with lid (wiped clean of all food residue)
- Your choice of wood chips
- And, of course, whatever deliciousness you want to smoke cold!
Let’s go over a few important points before we proceed.
You can get a basic can puncher for a couple of bucks, and it’s way safer on those digits. But if you’re dead set (pardon the pun!) on using a knife instead of a proper tool, proceed with caution.
And please don’t attempt this on an empty can (or blame me if your favorite paring knife ends up ruined).
Next, you want a flathead tip for maximum contact with the wood chips.
If you don’t have the correct screw-on tip, you can easily swap it out using a screwdriver. For an enclosed pipe-style soldering iron, here’s how to replace the tip.
Making a Flavor Infuser: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that we’ve covered all that, here’s how to hack a cold smoker using the ubiquitous tin can:
- Punch a keyhole in your can. The keyhole should be large enough to fit the metal end of your soldering iron, including the screws of the heating element.
- If using a knife, grip the handle with a steady hand and punch three slits to form a triangle. Use the heel of your palm to strike lightly but firmly.
- Make a half-moon opening opposite the keyhole. I trust you have a proper can opener for this job.
- Pry the lid open with a plier.
- Wash and dry the can.
- Poke a small hole at the bottom, right across from the top keyhole. This tiny vent will encourage more smoke and, therefore, more flavors.
And that’s about it! Now, for the good part:
- Fill ⅓ of your tin can smoker with wood chips. Avoid softwood at all costs; it contains too much resin and burns up fast.
- Insert the soldering iron into the keyhole, ensuring it’s buried in the chips. Lay the can on its side on the grill, keyhole down.
- Arrange your ingredients on the grill.
- Plug in your soldering iron and wait for the chips to start smoking. If it’s taking too long, wiggle the soldering iron a bit for better contact.
- Close the lid and set your timer for 30–40 minutes.
- Once finished, unplug the soldering iron and wait for it and the tin can to cool down before cleaning up.
Tips on Using Your DIY Smoker
Here are a few more tips before we wrap up:
- Toss in broken bits of spices like bay leaf, cinnamon sticks, or star anise with your wood chips for a flavor bomb!
- Add more wood chips to prolong smoking time.
- If cold-smoking cheese, place the grill in the shade to prevent the cheese from melting in the sun.
- You wouldn’t believe the amount of smoke this little gizmo can produce. Use a fan to direct all that smoke away from the neighbors.
Final Thoughts
That’s how easy it is to turn a simple tin can into a DIY smoker enhancement that delivers! Give it a go and enjoy homemade smoked food right from your backyard.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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