Is it enough smoke?

[Tyler Anthony]

I just got a Pitboss Austin XL on FB Marketplace. Everything seems to run fine but when I did a test run, I just worried that there wasn't enough smoke being produced. I know I want the "clear blue smoke" so not seeing smoke is actually a good thing, I just wanted to see what people think. Do pellet smokers produce enough smoke or do I need to add a smoke tube or something similar? Will I get a smoke ring and smoke flavor without a smoke tube? Thanks in advance.

 

[voyager 663rd]

I only use WSM. You get smoke for first hour or maybe two. That's ALL that's needed. Honestly. After that 2 hr, if needed I just finish in the oven. No need for more smoke.

 

[jcam222]

I'll disagree in that in larger cuts of meat I want more than two hours of smoke. That is subjective to taste but I'll bet many others do too. Relative to the pellet grill do a smoke, taste and decide from there. For some it's plenty and others add smoke tubes. Varies by brand of pellet cooker too.

 

[BigW.]

Enough smoke means different things to different folks. Try it a few times and if you need to buy a tube they are cheap. I have a tube for my GMG. If you can find Lumberjack pellets, they are really good.

 

[voyager 663rd]

Fair enough.

You need to experiment how much YOU want. I've found that too much is.......too much. Just like folks who want to smoke their sides: mac & cheese, beans, salad ?!?.

I've got my smoked meat. I need variety, not everything tasting like hickory and apple.

Gotta do it to find what you and yours like.

 

[Randy1]

Pellet brand and wood type are very important. Smoke temperature as well.
Fruit wood is less smokey than Hickory as an example.
Top brands to name a few:
Smokey Woods
Lumber Jack
Smoke Mountain

 

[1MoreFord]

Lack of smoke flavor is one of the biggest complaints you see about pellet grills.
As others have mentioned, some brands of grills seem better than others and the same with pellets. I don't have experience with more than one brand of grill for comparison.
I use LumberJack pellets since I can get 100% Hickory pellets.
Many folks add smoke tubes and I have one but have not tried using using it yet.
Smoke rings are cosmetic. They don't really do anything for the taste. They look nice and many expect to see them. With pellet grills some folks get them and some don't. I suspect it to be largely dependent on pellet brand. I get them with mine.

 

[DougE]

As already said, you just have to play around some to get the smoke flavor you want. Pellet tubes are commonly used for additional smoke.

Also, pellet cookers generate the most smoke at lower temps so planning some extra time for running the cooker as low as it will go for the first 2 or 3 hours will let it make more smoke.

Pellet brand wise, I see the most flavor out of Lumberjack and Kingsford. Kingsford is right proud of their pellets and charge a premium, though.

 

[WaterRat]

You are just going to have to cook something to find if it’s “smokey” enough for you, then decide if you want to add a tube. Pic below is 6ish hour 225deg ribs on my old falling apart PitBoss. You can certainly get a smoke ring and it’s enough smoke for me. Just try it out, it (whatever you cook) will be edible just maybe need to adjust the smoke. Good luck!

 

[DougE]

You are just going to have to cook something to find if it’s “smokey” enough for you, then decide if you want to add a tube.

"Enough smoke flavor" is subjective for sure. I like to taste some smoke without feeling as it I just ate a campfire.

 

[pineywoods]

I own a Pit Boss Austin XL and usually add a smoke tube to produce more smoke but as has been said different pellets produce differing amounts of smoke and types of wood produce differing amounts of smoke flavor. Also as been said different people have different opinions of how much smoke flavor you need.
Congrats on the new Smoker

 

[Winterrider]

I've had mixed results using smoke tube in my RT. I do always microwave my pellets before putting in tube. Sometimes they will burn all the way and other times it only burns in about 1/3 of the tube. There is a probe wire hole on the left side which I always set it close to that for fresh air.
Same results when use tray

 

[Fueling Around]

Congrats on your new (to you) unit.
Others have stated it well, just use it.
My wife says the pooper usually gives enough smoke flavor as is.

I have tried a lot of pellets and my favorite in the hopper is Bear Mountain Oak.
Smoke tube I stick with Lumberjack pellets.

 

[mike243]

Been running a Austin LX for over 7 years, I have never over smoked anything with it, I run a smoke tube most times, Might as well start in the oven if 2 hours is all the smoke ya like lol. spritzing every 30 minutes or so helps, on a stick burner or other charcoal fired units you really slow down the cooking, not a problem with a pellet smoker, temps rebound quickly. Have fun throw anything on there it always turns out good.

 

[schlotz]

For those that have trouble keeping a tube going while in their smoker (assuming you got it started properly with a torch and let it go for 5 min or so before placing in the smoker) try wedging a nickel between the hood to allow a small crack to increase the air flow slightly. Place the open end of the tube perpendicular to the crack.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Depending on what I smoking. If it is something that I can run on low smoke that really adds smoke flavor. Large cuts I will run low smoke overnight. If something that going to run higher temps I use smoke tube with chips and pellets. I also use Lumber Jack pellets.

 

[texomakid]

Hey congrats on your new cooker. As already stated it's totally a personal preference. You'll get it dialed in to your liking. When I first got my pellet cooker I played with so many things and tried different tricks. I'm a firm believer pellets can make a big difference. I used to use a smoke tube but I don't any more. I get all the smoke I want in my cooker without it. With that being said, many like using a smoke tube and they too get great results. Enjoy your journey with the new pellet cooker and post up so we can see your smoked goodies!

 

[Randy1]

I have a wood smoker, my fifth one, that I built, and pellet grill-smoker. I built my wood smokers to stop using any smoker that smolders wood instead of burning wood. That is also the reason I do not use smoker tubes in my pellet grill.
The pellet smoker is about 90% as smokey as my wood burner. That is second but a very close second. Most can not telll difference.

 

[thirdeye]

Everything seems to run fine but when I did a test run, I just worried that there wasn't enough smoke being produced.

The quality and amount of smoke is the most misunderstood aspect of barbecue. If you overdo the smoke, the flavor consequences can be a disaster because the result could be bitter.

Using a hardwood fire, you strive for almost no color from the vent stack. A good charcoal fire will have noticeable smoke but it's usually gray or the (sweet) blue.

I don't have a pellet cooker, but I've used them in competitive events, and they produce more visual smoke even when my friends have them all dialed in.

Lack of smoke flavor is one of the biggest complaints you see about pellet grills.

I agree. And pellet cookers emit a lot (lot) of smoke... so it's all about the cooker's design and combustion, paired with the brand of pellets.

 

[DougE]

Never have had a problem keeping a pellet tube burning in the Camp Chef ........ more like they want to burn too fast. Elevating the lit end slows them down.

There is a U-bolt mod posted in the forum that does the same thing. I just use a piece of angle iron.