New here, with a question

lballor

Newbie

Original poster

Jul 22, 2007

1

10

• Jul 22, 2007

• #1

Hi, I am pretty new to smoking and have a Masterbuilt digital smoker. Every time I smoke something I don't get heavy smoke. Does anyone know if I am doing something wrong or if this is how a Masterbuilt smoker operates. I have tried soaking the wood for 30 minutes, 1 hour, and two hours and still get the same results.

 

illini

Smoking Fanatic

OTBS Member

Jul 11, 2006

576

27

West Central Illinois

• Jul 22, 2007

• #2

First off, welcome to SMF.
There are a lot of Masterbuilt owners here including myself.
If you will search and read all the threads on "Masterbuilt" you can come up to speed real quickly.

Is your unit the old or new version? The new ones have a vent at the top the old ones do not....there are other differences also but none as important as having the unit vented on top.....You do not want a lot of smoke coming out the top just enough that you can tell there is smoke

Good advice is to subscribe the email letter that Jeff has posted here for gathering the basics

Then read all the threads in the "Electric smoker" section on using the MES
Most of us do not soak the chips at all just add 3 or 4 chips about every 30 minutes...that's all it takes

Good luck and good smoking

 

mossymo

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

May 30, 2007

4,989

1,799

Glenburn, North Dakota

• Jul 22, 2007

• #3

Welcome to SMF !!!
In this warmer weather you might want to open the door for a bit so the burner has to fire up and get the wood smoking or another way to try is to pull the tray out that you dump the wood into the smoker with. This will give more air/oxygen to the wood and burner area. When smoke starts, close the door or replace the wood tray. Also having your top damper wide open till the smokes starts will help also.
Hope this helps.....

 

gofish

Smoking Fanatic

OTBS Member

Nov 4, 2006

940

12

Southern MD

• Jul 22, 2007

• #4

lballer

Welcome to the SMF. I agree with what Illini just told you. He should change his name to Mr Masterbuilt ......... He has many detailed post and words of wisdom. Do the search and read up, youll find you dont need many chips at all.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

 

deejaydebi

Legendary Pitmaster

Nov 18, 2006

7,996

25

Connecticut

• Jul 23, 2007

• #5

Welcome lballor -

Are you saying you don't get heaby smoke from the smoker or heavy smoke flavor? You don't want heavy smoke in the smoker - you want it thin and blue or it'll taste like an ashtray.

 

richoso1

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Jun 21, 2007

8,432

41

• Jul 23, 2007

• #6

Welcome to the SMF, you're in good hands when it comes to smokers! You'll have plenty of good advice to get you going in no time.

 

ultramag

Master of the Pit

Apr 17, 2006

2,112

14

Garden City, MO

• Jul 24, 2007

• #7

Welcome to SMF loballr!!!

 

gypsyseagod

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

May 5, 2007

3,888

15

standing over the pit- kentucky

• Jul 24, 2007

• #8

what debi said. you have wood & heat - you have smoke. if you can smell it it's smoking- remember we're going for thin blue & as far as wetting wood... there's 2 schools on that- my school is wet wood just takes more energy & time to burn. ask a fireman. as far as a smoke ring- thats just putting to the meat @ a lower temp sooner. after 140 degrees- no more smoke ring but ya can still "creosoak" the meat & it tastes like tar. also, depending on the wood you use ( hickory, mesquite) they can pour the soot to the meat if you burn raw wood the whole time. i hope i helped- any questions drop a line or pm anytime.