File Cabinet Smoker
I recycled a metal file cabinet into a functional meat smoker over the course of several weekends, thanks to an inspiring internet banner ad.
1 all-metal file cabinet, 3 metal grates, 3 cans of heat-resistant grill paint, 3 BBQ thermometers, 2 floor vents, wood. (2016)
To cut the drawers, I used a drill to make a hole in the metal big enough to fit wire snips into. Then I cut a hole with the wire snips big enough to fit a sawzall. Be careful!
Cutting drawers is the part that took the longest.
No shortage of smoke here.
After this test fire, I burnt another 3 or 4 fires with wood in every box to remove the interior paint. It helped me to spray/rub down the inside with some oil, the paint remaining post-burn flaked off much easier.
After all interior paint was removed and I was satisfied with airflow and heat retention of the various drawers, I painted my cabinet.
I used 2.5 cans total of this paint on the outside of the smoker.