I think those units in bars/taverns/casinos are electrostatically charged to pull smoke particles out of the air. That reminded me of the ozone generator that left w/ the ex. They can drastically reduce smoke and odor, but I think it has to be an enclosed environment, and they don't work that fast.
What do these curmudgeons have to say when you're grilling one of your world-famous steaks? They only complain about the smells they don't like I suppose. Too bad they're not caff-fiends, you could keep 'em quiet w/ a few bags.
Yeah, well I had to give up real BBQ and my Weber Smokey Mountain because of them - so they don't like even the good smells. And no, neither drink coffee or eat BBQ. That's OK, I am resigned to shutting them up while still roasting.
I like the link John F posted. Though something tells me that $1200 for the high CFM model is pretty steep. The diagram shows me they use 3 filters (Carbon, HEPA, and Furnace type). I have to think about whether I want to do this project myself, or just buy something...
Okay, Chris, I just got through talking with a building engineer about this problem of yours, a guy that has beau coup experience with preventing noxious and malodorous vapors from leaving a laboratory setting. Here's your cheap way out:
1) Go to surpluscenter.com and get yourself a squirrel cage fan. You can get something in the order of 125-200 CFM for under $25.
2) Build a duct fitting that goes over the exhaust of your sonofresco that is 1" diameter larger than your exhaust. This will allow for extra air to be pulled in around your exhaust without creating pressure difficulties on your roaster.
3) Plumb the squirrel cage fan in-line
4) Run the output of the squirrel cage fan via additional ductwork through some fiberglass furnace screen with a subsequent paper-based filter (not HEPA, it will create too big of a pressure drop and may clog up too fast with a smaller fan like this). These filters should be mounted in a box of some sort.
5) Run flexible duct into a 5 gallon bucket lid from the filter box.
6) Cut out holes in the bottom of the side of a 5-6 gallon bucket with at least as much area as the duct has.
7) Put 1/8" galvanized screen across the inside of the bucket above the holes to support your scrubber
Pour a layer of Purafil pellets onto the screen at least 4" thick
9) Pour a layer of Activated charcoal chunks on top of the purafil
10) Snap the ducted lid onto the bucket.
This will be the best that you can do without using a heated catalyst, and will cost you 50 bucks or less to construct.