homestead.fyi / SMOKEBOX

Cold Smoke Box

A 24 x 24 x 48 in plywood smokehouse box on 2x4 legs with a hinged door, three racks and an inlet for a cold smoke generator.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
24 x 24 x 48 inSize
3Racks
about 25 lbCapacity
5 to 8 hrBuild time
~$172.38Materials, part estimate

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
Front elevation
Front elevation 25 in 61 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 43 in 61 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 25 in 43 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x222Rack 1 cleat leftscrewed inside the side wall
12x222Rack 1 cleat rightscrewed inside the side wall
12x222Rack 2 cleat leftscrewed inside the side wall
12x222Rack 2 cleat rightscrewed inside the side wall
12x222Rack 3 cleat leftscrewed inside the side wall
12x222Rack 3 cleat rightscrewed inside the side wall
12x4 PT17Floor rail fronton edge, between the legs
12x4 PT17Floor rail backon edge, between the legs
12x4 PT17Floor end lefton edge, between the legs
12x4 PT17Floor end righton edge, between the legs
42x4 PT12Leg

Cut list: sheet goods

PartStockSizeNote
Floor1/2 ply24 x 24
Front door1/2 ply24 x 48hinged on the left, latch on the right
Back1/2 ply24 x 483 in hole for the smoke inlet
Left side1/2 ply24 x 48
Right side1/2 ply24 x 48
Top1/2 ply25 x 252 in vent hole
Rack 1cloth19 x 20cloth on a 2x2 frame, slides on the cleats
Rack 2cloth19 x 20cloth on a 2x2 frame, slides on the cleats
Rack 3cloth19 x 20cloth on a 2x2 frame, slides on the cleats

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x2 x 8 ft
Rack 1 cleat left 22Rack 1 cleat right 22Rack 2 cleat left 22Rack 2 cleat right 22
2x2 x 8 ft
Rack 3 cleat left 22Rack 3 cleat right 22
2x4 PT x 12 ft
Floor rail front 17Floor rail back 17Floor end left 17Floor end right 17Leg 1 12Leg 2 12Leg 3 12Leg 4 12

Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out

Sheet 1: 1/2 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Front door48 x 24Back48 x 24Left side48 x 24
Sheet 2: 1/2 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Right side48 x 24Top25 x 25Floor24 x 24

Shopping list $137.38 checked / $35.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x2x8 furring stripHome Depot2$2.97$5.94see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x12 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot1$7.18$7.18see lumber cutting diagram
15/32 in (1/2 in) sheathing plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's2$32.26$64.52see sheet cutting diagrams
Hardware cloth 1/2 in, 2 ft x 25 ft, 19-gaHome Depot1$30.40$30.40uses about 57 in of the roll
Cold smoke generator, 6 in pipe and burnerAmazon or a smoking supply shop1$35.00$35.00
Galvanized 6 in strap hinge, each (5-pack $32.99)Home Depot1$6.60$6.60door
Galvanized staple safety hasp, 3-1/2 inHome Depot1$6.78$6.78door
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 1 lb boxHome Depot1$11.47$11.47
Poultry staples 3/4 in, 1 lbSouthern States1$4.49$4.49
Total before tax~$172.38
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Cut the plywood: the floor, two sides, a back and top, and the door (the front panel). Cut a 3 x 6 in smoke inlet in the back, 3 in above the floor, and a 2 x 6 in vent in the top.
  2. Build the leg frame from four 2x4 legs and a rail frame on edge, and screw the 1/2 in floor on top.
  3. Screw the sides, back and top together on the floor, with the front open. Screw 2x2 cleats on the inside of the sides at 14, 26 and 38 in.
  4. Hinge the front door on the left and add a latch. Stick weatherstripping all round to hold the smoke in.
  5. Staple hardware cloth to three 2x2 frames, 21 x 22 in, and slide them on the cleats.
  6. Join the cold smoke generator to the back inlet with a 3 in pipe 18 in long, so the smoke cools before it reaches the food. Never smoke above 90°F: use this box for cheese, salmon and bacon, and keep the temperature down.

Before you start