Chips or Sawdust Question??

hfitch

Newbie

Original poster

Oct 13, 2012

16

10

Heart of the Thumb, Michigan

• Oct 30, 2012

• #1

I have a MES 30 electric smoker. I've used it a couple of times to smoke ribs, butts etc... all higher temp recipes. I'm making summer sausage for the first time today and I'm having a hard time generating smoke at the lower temps. I' even using chips that have NOT been soaked. My question is, am I safe to assume that sawdust would be a better option in an electric smoker for low temp recipes rather than chips? I know the sausage will taste just fine because liquid smoke was used also but I'm using the clear casings and really want to add that nice color associated with summer saysage. Thank you for any and all replies!!!

 

so ms smoker

Master of the Pit

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Dec 20, 2010

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Gulfport, MS

• Oct 30, 2012

• #2

  At the low temps, the chips won't smolder very well. I have not tried sawdust. The best thing for cold smoking is Todd's AMNPS.And to make it even better, try the 'mailbox' mod.

  Mike

 

jkc64

Smoking Fanatic

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Dec 7, 2011

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Portland, TN.

• Oct 30, 2012

• #3

I too use the MES30 and they don't seem to smoke at the lower temps, most I think use the AMNPS I know I do. You can search for "soldering iron" for some good ideas to generate smoke from a can. I don't know about sawdust I have only used the AMNPS for low temp and cold smoke. Someone else will hopefully answer the sawdust question.

John

 

hfitch

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Oct 13, 2012

16

10

Heart of the Thumb, Michigan

• Oct 30, 2012

• #4

What is the AMNPS? Is it a smoke pistol?

 

so ms smoker

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Dec 20, 2010

1,874

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Gulfport, MS

• Oct 30, 2012

• #5

  It is the Amazing pellet smoker by Amazin Products from Todd  Johnson, one of our members. Click on his add on this site and check out his products. It is well worth the price!

  Mike

 

jrod62

Smoking Guru

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Jun 13, 2011

5,010

41

New Athens IL

• Oct 30, 2012

• #6

Its a smoke generator. http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a-maze-n-products
Works great .Thumbs Up

 

hfitch

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Oct 13, 2012

16

10

Heart of the Thumb, Michigan

• Oct 30, 2012

• #7

thanks for the idea of the soldering iron. I had an old one laying around so I cleaned it up. Punched a whole in the side of an old tin can. Did a dry run with some dry chips just to season everything up and clean it good and I think that's going to work great! Soaking the chips for 10 minutes with the soldering iron to get a nice smolder. Removed the drip pan from the bottom where the draft hole is. I'm going to butt it up against that hole and allow the smoke to filter in when it's time to smoke. Thanks guys!! This will work in a pinch. I love a heavy smoke flavor so really wanted to get some smoke in there along with the liquid smoke. Will just have to monitor it to make sure I'm not generating too much smoke for too long. Thanks again!

 

hfitch

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Oct 13, 2012

16

10

Heart of the Thumb, Michigan

• Oct 30, 2012

• #8

I will definetly check out all of the products you guys mentioned. I've actually been really thinking about building my own small smoke shack using oak or maple for the timber. My thinking is that the wood would hold a nice steady temperature being thicker walled and naturally more insulated than steel. I've got it all figured out just need to talk my husband into swinging the hammer!!!!:biggrin:

 

jkc64

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Dec 7, 2011

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Portland, TN.

• Oct 30, 2012

• #9

Glad you got it worked out, hope everything turns out good for you. If you look at the AMNPS and all the pellet options it really opens up the flavor options.

John