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Best thing to do is to run some test fires in it and see how difficult it is to control the temp. If you have problems keeping the temps down or can only run one inlet a micro amount open, then you most likely have leaks.
Get the leaks sorted first before you cook anything with it. Red RTV and...
Moar time! Especially if you plan on injecting. Plan on having the brisket out of the smoker by about 1pm so you can wrap it and toss it into a cooler for a few hours before service.
I guess I should ask if you're planning on cutting it in half before you smoke it and freezing it. and if you...
I had that problem with one of my smokers before I took @daveomak 's advice and installed an upper air inlet. Now it cruises.very reliably on wood only.
What type of pellets are you using?
I can't taste The smoke flavor if I use something like apple or pecan myself. I have to use something more robust. But I have never heard about this coil burning off the smoke flavor idea that you are discussing
Yep, same here. I know people that have the older food savers and they work so well which is why I'd like to get one, but the quality just doesn't seem to be there anymore and apparently CS is awful too..not in a big rush to give.my money to a company thats seemingly failing on both fronts these...
Oh no. Chips, lumps are not going to be an all night set it or forget it proposition. If you want all night smoke, you're going to have to run an amnps. But I like the chip tray in addition to mine as a supplementary source of smoke. Even if you ran lump just for the first few hours.
I keep looking at buying a foodsaver to replace my current vac sealer but it seems like the quality of these new models is SO low, if you go by the reviews anyways.. makes me nervous to pull the trigger on any of them
I've always used mailbox mod, but lately I've been doing the chip tray right on the element as well.
I've really been happy with it, but would recommend using chunks if you're going to go that way.
I've reduced my overnight smokes to 2 or 3 times a year. Good luck with yours. Gets to be no fun post 3am but it's nice when you're done (and sleeping)
My first thought is that you have a ton of volume in the cc for such a small rack. I'd add an additional rack or two or reduce the volume of the cc significantly.
This assumes that your rack is to scale within the cook chamber.