Charbroil electric smoker

[Brad Christy]

Hey guys,

New member here...

I’ve got a Charbroil digital electric smoker. I’ve had wonderful success with it. But, recently, I’ve been trying to smoke some burgers, and every time I try, the smoker refuses to put out smoke. Today is the fourth attempt, and it appears to be the same result: I’m gonna end up grilling them.

I tried it twice, then had success with a pork shoulder, then tried burgers again with no luck, then another successful pork shoulder, and then today looks like another failure with burgers.

The smoker is doing everything it is supposed to do. I can hear the contacter solenoid kicking one and out, indicating the thermostat is doing its job. I use an aftermarket Bluetooth thermometer, and it indicates the smoker is reaching temperature, as can also be observed by touch. I can even smell the hot wood, but no smoke. But ONLY when I’ve tried burgers. As far as I can tell, I’m doing nothing differently. I am still in the process of discovering different flavors of wood, so that varies, but I haven’t used the same chips from one attempt with burgers to the next, nor have I used different woods with burgers than I Do with pork shoulder, ABTs or brisket.

I’m fairly certain there aren’t any “Smoker Gods” who just don’t like the idea of smoker burgers. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks. Brad.

 

[kruizer]

Welcome to SMF from Minnesota. Maybe the smoker thinks it is beneath it to be smoking burgers when it could be smoking larger cuts of meat. Someone will be along shortly with a proper answer

 

[Brad Christy]

Kruizer,

I’m beginning to wonder.... The question would be “How does it know? It hasn’t seen the meat yet.”

The last time I tried burgers, I ended up grilling them, but let the smoker roll. Five hours later, still no smoke.When I did the pork shoulder a week earlier, I had smoke in a little under two hours. I can’t, for the life of me, think of anything I’m doing differently.

Thanks. Brad.

 

[kruizer]

It might have been preconditioned at the factory.

 

[JC in GB]

Welcome from Wisconsin....

With most electric smokers, I would recommend a pellet tube or tray. I run my electric from 40 F (yes, 40F) up to 275 F. To get good consistent smoke I use the AMNPS pellet tube. The tube gives a good consistent smoke for hours on one fill.

Your burgers may not have had enough mass to keep the heating element on long enough for smoke.


JC

 

[Brad Christy]

Welcome from Wisconsin....

With most electric smokers, I would recommend a pellet tube or tray. I run my electric from 40 F (yes, 40F) up to 275 F. To get good consistent smoke I use the AMNPS pellet tube. The tube gives a good consistent smoke for hours on one fill.

Your burgers may not have had enough mass to keep the heating element on long enough for smoke.


JC

The burgers weren’t even in the smoker yet. But that’s the point. Neither were any of the pork shoulders, briskets or ABTs I’ve had success with. The smoker is empty until I start to see smoke, as per most advice I’ve found. So far, I’ve had good luck with this approach. Until recently.

I honestly don’t think it has anything to do with the burgers, other than a comical coincidence. My question is, why are the chips refusing to smolder? I've even tried Leaving the door open (after giving up on smoking the burgers and grilled them), in hopes of keeping the heating element constantly applying heat to the chip box. Five hours later, still nothing.....

Is it the chips? The chip box? Grasping at straws here.....

 

[JC in GB]

The burgers weren’t even in the smoker yet. But that’s the point. Neither were any of the pork shoulders, briskets or ABTs I’ve had success with. The smoker is empty until I start to see smoke, as per most advice I’ve found. So far, I’ve had good luck with this approach. Until recently.

I honestly don’t think it has anything to do with the burgers, other than a comical coincidence. My question is, why are the chips refusing to smolder? I've even tried Leaving the door open (after giving up on smoking the burgers and grilled them), in hopes of keeping the heating element constantly applying heat to the chip box. Five hours later, still nothing.....

Is it the chips? The chip box? Grasping at straws here.....

Wow, that does sound like a pickle. I am not familiar with that smoker type but do the chips come in contact with the burner element?