Winter Smoke Hut Conversion Project

[PaulV-cr]

I live in Minnesota and don't smoke inside (I'm married and would like to remain so for the time being), which has severely hampered enjoyment of my new hobby lately. So, I decided to do something about it. There is no way I was going to just admire my newly acquired stogies all winter, and not be able to smoke any until spring.

We have a screened gazebo off one corner of our deck, which is a great place to enjoy a cigar in the spring, summer and fall. In the winter, not so much. I figured if I enclosed the gazebo with plastic sheeting and put my propane heater out there, that might make a decent "smoke hut". Here's the gazebo pre-conversion:


Here are the materials. I paid $26 for the roll of 6 mil plastic sheeting at Home Depot, everything else I had on hand.



It only took about 20 minutes to put up the plastic. Here's how it looks from the outside. You can hardly tell the difference, so I don't think the neighbors will complain that it looks tacky.



Here's the inside.



And the piece de resistance.



For my first smoke in my new "smoke hut", I chose one of my favorite cigars to-date, a Perdomo Lot 23 Maduro.



And I nubbed it!



I do have to make a couple of refinements yet. I need to cover the door, and I'm going to put down a rug. I think it's going to work out pretty nicely, then. I left a little space for ventilation above the plastic, and smoke can also waft up to the roof and out the cupola.

It will definitely beat going without stogies for about four or five months.[/img]

[CRider]

Dude, that's awesome!!! Very nicely done, congrats!

[JAX]

Looks like you're in there like swim wear bro. Always good when it costs only a few dollars to fix a major problem.....smoke on.

[Acesfull]

Just put a hot tub in on the gazebo.. problem solved!

Oh yeah what you've done works too.. what you using for ventilation?

[PaulV-cr]

There's plenty of ventilation from the several inches of space I left open above the plastic. I guess that doesn't show up in the photos. Snow won't be able to get in because of the roof overhang, but there is plenty of ventilation. There is also a ceiling fan that I can use to push air up and out through the cupola. Plus, the heater I'm using is certified for indoor use.

[JTokash]

Nice setup ya have there! Color me jealous.

Smoke 'em if ya got 'em.

-JT

[Acesfull]

Ahh gotcha thats pretty sweet bro

[Python]

Awesome setup Paul!

[PaulV-cr]

Thanks! I finished up the project today by putting a window insulator kit over the door and sidelights, and putting down an old rug.

I'm probably not going to be out there when it's below zero, but on milder days or evenings (there's a light on the ceiling fan), it should be pretty sweet.

In fact, I think I'll go out there right now, fire up the heater, and listen to the end of the Vikings game on the radio while I try my first DPG.

[Stevemal]

Awesome set up you got there Paul!

[andrew_will1]

Nice resolution!! Fortunately for me my garage is detached and I'm able to smoke out there without the wife caring about the smell.

[markk96-cr]

Nicely done, and glad to have another Vikings fan here.

[PaulV-cr]

It's actually working out even better than I had hoped so far. I put the ceiling fan on at low speed, in reverse, and it gently pushes the air up and out, without making it too drafty. The smoke from my cigar goes up and gets forced right out through the area that I left for ventilation above the plastic, so it doesn't even get smokey in there.

You'd almost think that I had planned it that way.

[Darwin]

Man that's great! I don't mind smoking outside if there is little to no wind but I realy like to smell the smoke this is a perfect solution. Good job.

[riverdog-cr]

Very, very nice. Sometimes a plan just comes together. Excellent man.