Hi guys,
I'm just trying my 2nd smoke today and I started with a cheap electric unit until I'm certain this is what I want to do. My questions to those whom have used this is,
a) Do you try to seal the gap in lid that lets a noticeably large amount of smoke and heat out of the unit?
b) Do you seal the opening where the electric enters the unit to avoid air leaks?
c) How do you get your wood chips smoking aside from setting them in between the heating element and rocks?
d) Any other tips for making the best use of this unit.
Thanks in advance... I really wanted to purchase a "decent" unit to start, but weighed the concerns over maybe not using so much, and the fact I would have to mail order something decent with little to no knowledge of the operation and techniques involved with smoking, so with that being said stuck with "el cheapo" purchased locally through big chain supply store. I do think I will be doing quite a bit more smoking in the future so now I can start looking into a "bigger, better unit" and decide which types of fuel I will want to work with. (still not certain since I haven't used anything intense i.e. charcoal/wood or gas) I know everyone here has their own preferences and have read a lot of opinions regarding the pluses and minus's of each type of unit, but appreciate any suggestions at to what would be ideal for me. Typical use will be for personal, family type affairs, and most likely will be meats, veggies, etc as time goes by and I get more familiar with all the different things I can do with it. I grill at least 3-4 times a week during the summer and sometimes just as much in the winter depending on what the "diet" is for the family at the time, and weather, etc. Have stuck primarily with a gas grill because usually it's a short notice to mealtime, and I am stuck with a commute and workday taking most of my time, so it makes life much easier to use gas in my situation. Just curious if that should be an option with the smoker as well, although I will be using it primarily on weekends with plenty of time to tend to it most of the time.
Thanks all for your input.
Jim
I'm just trying my 2nd smoke today and I started with a cheap electric unit until I'm certain this is what I want to do. My questions to those whom have used this is,
a) Do you try to seal the gap in lid that lets a noticeably large amount of smoke and heat out of the unit?
b) Do you seal the opening where the electric enters the unit to avoid air leaks?
c) How do you get your wood chips smoking aside from setting them in between the heating element and rocks?
d) Any other tips for making the best use of this unit.
Thanks in advance... I really wanted to purchase a "decent" unit to start, but weighed the concerns over maybe not using so much, and the fact I would have to mail order something decent with little to no knowledge of the operation and techniques involved with smoking, so with that being said stuck with "el cheapo" purchased locally through big chain supply store. I do think I will be doing quite a bit more smoking in the future so now I can start looking into a "bigger, better unit" and decide which types of fuel I will want to work with. (still not certain since I haven't used anything intense i.e. charcoal/wood or gas) I know everyone here has their own preferences and have read a lot of opinions regarding the pluses and minus's of each type of unit, but appreciate any suggestions at to what would be ideal for me. Typical use will be for personal, family type affairs, and most likely will be meats, veggies, etc as time goes by and I get more familiar with all the different things I can do with it. I grill at least 3-4 times a week during the summer and sometimes just as much in the winter depending on what the "diet" is for the family at the time, and weather, etc. Have stuck primarily with a gas grill because usually it's a short notice to mealtime, and I am stuck with a commute and workday taking most of my time, so it makes life much easier to use gas in my situation. Just curious if that should be an option with the smoker as well, although I will be using it primarily on weekends with plenty of time to tend to it most of the time.
Thanks all for your input.
Jim
