point of clarification - ice/water

doughboysigep

Smoke Blower

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Jan 16, 2015

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Delhi, NY

• Apr 7, 2017

• #1

Looking at several sources for smoking cheese, it says have no water in pan, water is "bad" for smoking cheese, etc.  But on other resources/videos, folks are putting ice in to keep internal smoker temp lower.  So which is it?  Water bad or water (melted ice) ok???  I'd put some ice in it it won't hurt the cheese or smoke flavor.

 

atomicsmoke

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Apr 3, 2014

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• Apr 7, 2017

• #2

I don't see any beenefit in using a water pan. Water in the smoker is for increasing thermal inertia and humidity. You need none of those to smoke cheese.

The ice is used to keep the temps low in the smoker (when is hot outside). Most people freeze water in pop bottles. No moisture issue since the bottles are closed.

 

atomicsmoke

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• Apr 7, 2017

• #3

If you dont live in a hot climate i dont think you need ice in April. The only thing you need is smoke (and cheese).

P.s.i assumed your smoke source is not in the smoker.

 

Last edited: Apr 7, 2017

dirtsailor2003

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Bend Oregon

• Apr 7, 2017

• #4

You do not want moisture when cold Smoking cheese. You need to be able to maintain temps below 70 degrees in order to smoke cheese. Some will add 2 liter bottles of frozen water to keep temps below that temp. I would not just add ice.

 

doughboysigep

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Jan 16, 2015

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Delhi, NY

• Apr 7, 2017

• #5

atomicsmoke said:

I don't see any beenefit in using a water pan. Water in the smoker is for increasing thermal inertia and humidity. You need none of those to smoke cheese.

The ice is used to keep the temps low in the smoker (when is hot outside). Most people freeze water in pop bottles. No moisture issue since the bottles are closed.

Click to expand...

Didn't think of that.  The videos I saw all have folks putting ice in open trays.  Will try this weekend.

 

atomicsmoke

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• Apr 7, 2017

• #6

First time smoking cheese?

 

dabigbozman

Smoke Blower

Feb 21, 2017

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Willamette Valley Oregon

• Apr 7, 2017

• #7

I have sand in my pan

 

doughboysigep

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Delhi, NY

• Apr 7, 2017

• #8

atomicsmoke said:

If you dont live in a hot climate i dont think you need ice in April. The only thing you need is smoke (and cheese).

P.s.i assumed your smoke source is not in the smoker.

Click to expand...

my MES with a pellet tube got to 120 with 40 degree weather.  Cheese turned out fine (some colby softened a bit), very tasty.

 

atomicsmoke

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• Apr 7, 2017

• #9

In that case ice will help.

 

doughboysigep

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Jan 16, 2015

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Delhi, NY

• May 3, 2017

• #10

bottled ice worked well.  never got above 89 degrees and only got above 80 during last hour.