Hot smoker

David,

I also have the 'Preserved' book, I must have a good look at it again and try to actually preserve something before the end of the year

Your talk of smoker brought back many memories of my childhood in the North West Highlands of Scotland!  My grandfather constructed a simple smoker using an aluminium wardrobe from an old caravan and some oak chips, he used to smoke enough mackrel for the entire village! He drilled holes in the side of the wardrobe, threaded the fish along a wire (coathanger I think) and then hung it inside the thing.

I've just spoken to my dad to get his words of wisdom on the matter, I'll tell you what I can remember (in no particular order!)

for cold smoking, you need to soak the mackerel (or other oily fish)  in brine for about 20 minutes before hand, if you're posh you can add in juniper berries and the like. The fish then need to be put out to dry until they are all tacky, then they will take up the smoke really well.

If you are cold smoking it can be tricky to keep the fire smoking at the right temp, too hot and the fish will cook far too quickly and end up on the floor and not smoked.
My grandad used a large metal pipe to relay the smoke into the bottom of his wardrobe type thing, that way it was cold smoke and the fire was seperate from the fish.

My father said he would give me more details on the smoker and even draw a picture for you if you are interested, I guess it's similar to the one in the preserved book though

Achiltibuie to be precise, famous for the Lucy Irvine of original 'Castaway' fame, The Summer Isles Hotel (owned by her brother) and the Hydroponicum, and of course me!

There is also a Smokehouse there, was pleasantly surprised to get their flyer in a pile of bumpf from Thompson and Morgan last week.

I don't know WG, I'll need to ask my dad on that one.

And yes, you must go to the West Coast at least once!

iv,e justed took my eels out of the hot smoker, for our supper with home made bread & a nice bottle of ale My smoker is an old pot belly bbq,with a big wooden box on top.

My father said he would give me more details on the smoker and even draw a picture for you if you are interested, I guess it's similar to the one in the preserved book though

A few tips would be very useful.

I initially regreted giving away that old metal (wardrobe size) cupboard I picked up for £5 when the practice where I worked moved to smaller premises, until I remembered the reason for disposing of it was because it was so damn heavy.