The Laws of Physics in the Service of Cooking: Making a Convenient Electrostatic Smoker

The electrostatic device differs from a conventional smokehouse by the presence of high voltage electric field, in which fish or meat is located during smoking.

This allows smoke components to reach the surface of the product faster.

As a result, the smoking process is accelerated several times while fully preserving and even improving its quality. The technology is widely used in the food industry, but is also suitable for home use.

General diagram of an electrostatic smokehouse

High voltage generator are fixed closer to the cabinet so as not to extend the high-voltage wires. The smoke is formed from the chips in the gas generator, which is heated with a heating element or gas burner.

Photo 1. Simple schematic representation of the electrostatic smokehouse device. Only the main parts are indicated.

Fan provides air flow through the damper. The chips should not receive too much air, otherwise they will ignite. Hot smoke passes through fridge, cooling with water to the required temperature, and enters the cabinet through union. Diameter the entire air and gas tract is approximately 20-40 mm, there must be a setting at the fan inlet damper (gate) to regulate the air flow.

Which high voltage source should I choose?

It is necessary to supply high voltage to the smokehouse 20-30 kWFor this purpose, a high-voltage generator is used. At home it is possible build with:

• automobile switch and ignition coil;
• line scan of an old TV.

Generator from a car switch and ignition coil

This circuit can use a DC power supply with output voltage 12 V or charged car battery.

Pulses from the master oscillator (it can be a multivibrator or a blocking oscillator) simulate the action of a circuit breaker, the switch controls the primary winding of the coil, the ignition coil, and the coil (step-up transformer) then creates high voltage.

The master oscillator must have frequency within 1-2 kHz. The whole circuit is powered voltage 12 V and consumes current about 1-2 A.

From the line scan of an old TV

The pulses from the generator control the transistor as in the previous circuit (the switch also uses a transistor key), the line transformer T1 works like a reel. The voltage pulses are rectified and smoothed by a voltage multiplier connected to the third winding. At its output there is 20-25 kW constant voltage.

Both options require master oscillators operating at specific frequencies. The first scheme requires frequency within 1000-2000 Hz, and for the second 14000—16000 Hz. Mismatched frequencies will either reduce efficiency or damage high voltage coils or transistors.

TO horizontal cascade from the TV it is necessary to apply voltage of about 100 V, otherwise it will operate at a greatly reduced power. To excite such a cascade, there must be a buffer cascade between the multivibrator and the base of the key transistor.

DIY Cold Smoking Cabinet

A smoking cabinet is being made made of wood. It is not worth constructing it from textolite or getinaxThese plastics contain phenols and cyanide compounds that are hazardous to human health. Metal the case will cost more, and it will be more difficult to organize insulation in it.

Photo 2. Image of the internal structure of the electrostatic smokehouse chamber with explanations. Upper (left) and lower (right) parts.

Assembling a wooden cabinet dimensions approximately 70x50x100 cmThe hinged door must close the body tightly. Positive electrode (anode) is made of galvanized sheet metal, which must be provided with points sticking out in the direction of the meat. These points create maximum electric field strength in the direction of the meat. Due to the different electric charges, all smoke particles reliably stick to the meat, creating ideal conditions for smoking.

The points are made using a triangular cut, bending the tin at a right angle. Instead of tin, you can use a metal grid made from wire yourself. Distance between the tips - 5-7 cm.

Anode panels with points are located left and right from the middle (cathode) rod at a distance of 30-35 cm. Both parts of the anode are connected to each other with a wire. The positive part of the circuit is grounded.

Insulator are made of non-conductive material. Diameter the hole for the insulator should be no less than 10-12 cmThis will prevent current leakage to ground.

Cathode rod secured with a suspension made of non-conductive material of appropriate length. The cathode is connected to the minus of the high-voltage generator.

Preparing for work

Having prepared the chips in the gas generator, loading the smokehouse chamber. The chips are heated, the fan is turned on and the smoke supply to the chamber is regulated. When the smoke starts to flow normally, the cabinet door is closed and the high-voltage generator is turned on. Wait for the process to finish.

After completion smoking, turn off the high-voltage generator and leave the cabinet without voltage for a few minutes. Turn off the fan and gas generator. After the smoke stops, you can unload the device.

Useful video

Watch the video, which demonstrates an example of a homemade electrostatic smokehouse with a high-voltage generator: device, appearance, features of operation.

Caring for the smokehouse

The device must be kept in cleanliness, therefore its design provides for ease of disassembly and assemblyThe cabinet should be cleaned after each smoking batch. After 10-15 downloads or before a long period of inactivity, the device must be thoroughly cleaned of grease and ash using the detergent “Kaplya” or “Fairy”.

Generator high voltage must be present dry and clean. When handling it, you should be extremely careful. careful — the element can store an electric charge for several minutes after being switched off.

If quick access to the cathode or other parts of the installation is required, the cathode and anode are short-circuited. using an insulated handle And wires with resistance of 5-10 kOhm. Do not build into the scheme no switches or buttons - they will be immediately blocked by a spark when the generator is turned on.