Kind of went against the grain with me

bang4dabuck · Nov 26, 2009

but broke down and bought a ET-73 thermometer. I know I need one of these but what bothered me was I paid $53 for my Royal oak Smoker and this cost me $42. My first go (2 butts ) came out pretty good despite not having a good therm. Any ideas how to get more smoke ? I used hickory chips in a pan sitting directly on element. Putting chunks of wood directly on element, how dangerous is that ? Going to try a turkey this weekend.

mballi3011 · Nov 26, 2009

I think that if you put wood directly on the elements then I think of just a few words:
RUN FIRE

got14u · Nov 26, 2009

I'm not sure about putting the wood directly on the element but you could close up the vent a little and possibly use a different stronger wood such as mesquite, or maybe for the first half of your smoke.

larry maddock · Nov 26, 2009

what model for 53 bucks????
where did you buy it????

mulepackin · Nov 26, 2009

It can be kinda galling to spend so much on what seems to be so little. However, think of it as a tool to enhance and improve your ability to smoke/cook. I probably employ up to 5 different thermos when doing a big batch of sausage or turkeys. It will really improve your ability to control temps. which is key. As far as your smoke issue, I'm not familiar with your particular smoker, but are you not getting enough smoke flavor, or are you not seeing smoke? Remember thin blue is what we want. If it's hot enough to cook the meat, it should be hot enough for making smoke. You can always add a lit briquet or two into your chip pan.

larry maddock · Nov 27, 2009

i cut the top and bottom off a beer can--
i cut and fold the body into a "pan"
i set directly on element---mucho smoke at low temps---

pignit · Nov 27, 2009

I have an ECB electric and I put chunks between the elements. I get plenty of smoke that way. Putting the smoke pan directly on the element will shorten it's life. I own an ET-73 and I could probably live without the internal temp side with the stick burner or the propane... but the electric has such a slow recovery time, it's really essential to have the internal probe to keep tabs on it. I couldn't live without the rack temp probe. Probably the most important piece of equipment you'll buy other than your smoker and the meat.

rambler · Nov 27, 2009

Here is a thread from a different site that I hope may help with the smoking problem.

http://www.smoker-cooking.com/royal-...ic-smoker.html

bang4dabuck · Nov 27, 2009

Model E 1609B

bang4dabuck · Nov 27, 2009

Read that before my first smoke. The prelim break in I did left chip pan in holder and worked fine. This was because it was set on HIGH. When I went to cook the butts at @ 220ish I didn't see smoke. I took chip pan out of holder and laid directly on element. People liked my stuff but I'd like to push the smoke issue some. I, right now can't see doing a COLD SMOKE on fish because at that low a temperature I can't see any smoke being generated. How about hickory saw dust ? Is there such a thing and would that throw off more smoke ?

bang4dabuck · Nov 27, 2009

Not picturing it. Got any ?

thanks

igolf2 · Nov 27, 2009

Remember you will probably not be using your current smoker forever and when you do upgrade your equipment like it seems we all do you will have a great thermometer to help you cook.

rambler · Nov 27, 2009

my smoke pan has the pan and a piece of metal below that. When I first used it I could not get a good smoke going and then discovered that if the element was sandwiched between the smoke box and the metal piece connected to the smoke box it worked great! I would not thought the thin piece of metal connected to the smoke box would have made a difference but there was a night to day difference. I don't know what your smoke box is like but you might look at to be sure you don't have the same problem I had.

larry maddock · Nov 28, 2009

""I have an ECB electric and I put chunks between the elements. I get plenty of smoke that way."""" Putting the smoke pan directly on the element will shorten it's life. """"

please show how pan on elements "shorten life"">>>....

pignit · Nov 28, 2009

My instructions that came with my ECB said not to let the elements get wet or touch anything as it would shorten the life of the element. I don't know the mechanics of it... I just read the instructions for once. As I understand it there is a possiblity of creating a hotspot on the element, shortening its life, if a foreign object lays against it while its hot. I try to sit the chunks in between the elements so they don't ignite. As long as the lid is closed, this seems to work for me.

larry maddock · Nov 29, 2009

in my newly purchased royal oaks smoker-
there is a stainless steel rod [connected to 2 sides]
that element rests on...
its seems to be there permanently....

my users guide says not to get wet and use.....

i hope you are wrong.....

on other threads -
many folks with e c b's
have set chip pan on element....

i hope this is not a "the world is flat" situation....

pignit · Nov 29, 2009

It's not a world is flat situation but it is one of those "this may cause situations." Another piece of metal touching the element may cause a hot spot. Hot spots in elements are known to burn the element out prematurely compared to an element without a hot spot. Sometimes the chunk wood I use ends up laying against the element and I've had no burnout yet..... but I wouldn't lay a metal smoke box directly on the element. Get you a clothes hanger and make a little stand that sits a half inch or inch above the element. Or don't worry about it and figure when it burns out.... that was the life of the element the way you use it, and order a new one.

larry maddock · Nov 30, 2009

thanks pignit--
the wire clothes hanger support over the element

will be a good mod--

coyote-1 · Nov 30, 2009

Yeah... get a charcoal smoker.

jirodriguez · Nov 30, 2009

bang4dabuck;389624 said:
but broke down and bought a ET-73 thermometer. I know I need one of these but what bothered me was I paid $53 for my Royal oak Smoker and this cost me $42. quote]

Could always buy a more expensive smoker!

Then the therm won't seem like so much... heh-heh. I hear those Lang's will lighten a pocket book in a hurry.... lol.

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