cooking jerky; next step after using woodchips....

[jfraser]

I have a little chief smokehouse product.  I was wondering what to do after I have done three pans of chips.  Do I leave an empty pan in the smoker with it on for the rest of the cooking time or do I take it out or do I cover the hole where the pan's handle comes out?  I don't know if not keeping the pan in there or not covering the hole affects cooking time and/or the temperature in the smoker greatly.

Also, I have left the pan in for an hour and a half with nothing in it.  Is leaving the empty pan in there a health hazard?

One last thing, it is cold (close to freezing) where I am, does that affect the smoking time, or even make the smoker ineffective at this temperature? 

 

[dirtsailor2003]

When I had my chief smokers I typically pulled the pan after I was done smoking. However there were times where I forgot and it wasn't any issue. I never plugged the handle hole. If you you are worried about heat lose you can cover the hole with tin foil.

The cold temps will effect the temperature in the smoker, the only way to know though would be to use a remote digital temp so you can see what the temp is in there. It may make it cold enough that it won't finish the product you are smoking. You may need to finish it in an oven.

 

[jfraser]

It is my first time smoking and I was going on the times stated on the manual for how long until the jerky is done.  How do you tell when it is done or done well enough that there isn't any issue with the meat as far as being undercooked or making anyone sick?