How to generate smoke at low temps

marknb

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Feb 5, 2009

152

10

• Aug 3, 2009

• #1

Hey all,

Can someone give advice on how to get the smoke going in these electric units when you're smoking at low temps? I'm smoking kielbasa right now, and I can see the original wood chips in there that went in about 4 hours ago, and they're not burnt yet. Heat is set at 155 right now, not to exceed 165, according to the recipe. I have a MES/Centro 30", fyi.

Thanks,

Mark

 

ne.hunter

Fire Starter

Feb 22, 2008

39

10

Adams Ne.

• Aug 4, 2009

• #2

Don't soak the wood chips. Use chips not chunks. Set temp to 225, let the chips start smoking then turn down temp to what you want . Open door to let some heat out . when you hit temp you want put in the meat. At least that is what I have to do when I smoke jerky

 

beer-b-q

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

May 1, 2007

10,099

40

• Aug 4, 2009

• #3

A lot of people add a Smoke Daddy to use for generating smoke. I have been thinking about getting one to cold smoke with.

You can see them or get them here. http://www.Porkypas.com

 

northwoods

Newbie

Apr 10, 2009

15

10

Wisconsin

• Aug 4, 2009

• #4

The problem with low temp on electrics is that your smoke is provided when the element is 'on'.

At low temps, the element doesn't have to be on very much to maintain temp.

 

beer-b-q

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

May 1, 2007

10,099

40

• Aug 4, 2009

• #5

Which means that you will not get hot enough to generate smoke without something like a Smoke Daddy which isn't dependent on the heating element.

 

marknb

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 5, 2009

152

10

• Aug 4, 2009

• #6

Thanks for the input guys. I think the smoke is very important, not just for flavor, but to get the nice color change as well. These came out very tasty, but on the pale side. I think I'll check out Smoke Daddys too....

 

hoser

Smoking Fanatic

SMF Premier Member

Jul 11, 2008

452

10

Cumberland, Rhode Island

• Aug 4, 2009

• #7

Smoke Daddy does a nice job...love mine. Only mistake I made was ordering the large one instead of the "big kahuna" even with the large (they say four hours of smoke...NO WAY) you'll have to check it every 90 minutes or two hours at the ouside, but it does do a great job at low temps.

Good luck in your search!

 

marknb

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 5, 2009

152

10

• Aug 4, 2009

• #8

Hoser,

What did you install your Smoke Daddy on? I was thinking my 30" Centro Smoker, do you think the size of the Big Kahuna would put the smoke outlet too far up in the chamber? I was thinking I'd get a smaller unit so the smoke would enter lower down, but not if I have to refill the thing every 45min or whatever.

BTW, love that avatar, lmao!

 

justsmoke2

Smoking Fanatic

Mar 10, 2008

311

10

Peck, Michigan

• Aug 4, 2009

• #9

You could try about 4 pieces of charcoal lit. Then make a foil pack and put a few holes in the foil pack. The heat from the charcoal should make your element run less or will help in maintaining your heat. A win win either way.

 

meat hunter

Master of the Pit

SMF Premier Member

Feb 3, 2009

1,720

14

• Aug 5, 2009

• #10

Hi there. Not much exp on electric smoker other than my big chief, but I did remember a post a while back that you may find interesting as far as generating smoke at the low temps you are talking about.

http://www.transpave-showcase.com/smoke/

 

kookie

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Mar 27, 2007

2,850

10

Mandan North Dakota

• Aug 20, 2009

• #11

With my cookshack smoker to cold smoker it says to put your chips in and to load your meat or whatever your smoking and either cold smoking plate or as I did rack cover with foil and then a pan of ice over the cold plate and close door and run smoker at 225 for 20 minutes then turn heat off for 40-45 minutes and then heat back on for 20 minutes then heat off again for 40-45 minutes. I only do that like 2 or 3 cycles and my temps never got over 100 degrees and everything has a nice smoke flavor and color. Hope that helps.

 

hoser

Smoking Fanatic

SMF Premier Member

Jul 11, 2008

452

10

Cumberland, Rhode Island

• Aug 21, 2009

• #12

my
Smokedaddy is installed on my GOSM gasser...really easy to control the temps with that, and a needle valve I installed on the propane line.

 

txbigred

Meat Mopper

Jul 19, 2008

165

10

Atascocita, TX

• Aug 21, 2009

• #13

I use Hickory sawdust in my MES and don't have any trouble with it smoking at low temps. This is the 40" if it matters.

Dave

 

scarbelly

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jul 26, 2009

14,315

73

• Aug 21, 2009

• #14

I have the Smokin Tex 1400 with the cold plate and the instructions suggest running it at 150 for 20 min with wood chunks and a pan of ice on the plate then shut off for 45 and restart as needed -in mine the smoke continues for the entiere 45 min. Works great for cheese. Have not done any sausage yet.