Question about TBS in the Mini WSM

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smokesh0w

Newbie
Original poster
Aug 29, 2014
6
10
I recently built a Mini WSM and I have had a couple smokes that were relatively quick. My experiences so far is when I add the wood to the charcoal; I'll have about an hour of white smoke. It eventually becomes TBS, and it stays that way for about another hour. After that the TBS is very very faint.

When using the minion or snake method, and the burning coals start to make their way outward and make contact with the wood that hasnt had direct contact with buring coals. When the wood starts to ignite will the white smoke start again?
 
An hour of white smoke sounds like a lot. I usually get 15-20 minutes then it thins out. All depends on your setup, what kind and how much wood you're using. When it gets really thin and is almost invisible you're in the sweet spot!! As for the chunks causing white smoke when they ignite, they should be preheated enough that they will cause little if any white smoke. As a general rule, less is more. It sounds like you may be using too much wood. Try 2-3 chunks or a cup of chips. No need to soak either.
 
I was using 3 big chunks, so maybe the chunks of wood are too big. Thanks for the reply

I am using a charcoal basket to help with fuel consumption and 2 ball valves to control temperature
 
Last edited:
This was my set up for a smoke I was doing in my kettle before I had my mini built. It helps to have the wood hot going into your smoker and you'll get thru the white smoke phase quickly. I also cut my own wood and sometimes if the wood isn't seasoned properly the wood chunk will start sweating, it will start oozing water, and I'll know that that chunk aint gonna be used that day. Anyway, that's what I do and I'm looking forward to other post on this same subject...

 
Side to side and use a torch and usually lighting the partial burnt from the prior cook.  Load the basket most burnt to new....ALWAYS get TBS right away. 
 
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