They're in the smoker (had a couple of issues come up and I just got to it today)...
Thoughts SO FAR...
Gonna have to forget about a pellet tube right now (it will NOT stay lit with charcoal burning...lit w/a torch, let it burn for a few min, blew it out, had a good cherry...still went out within 10 mins after I put the lid on the smoker. I ended up putting on a couple of pcs of oak just touching the edge of the charcoal...smoking fine now!
Unless I'm EXCEPTIONALLY impatient (and there's a pretty good chance that I am), 4 lit coals only got the smoker to 108. Added 6 UN-lit coals on the top of those and temp went to 231. Started closing bottom vents and it stabilized at 220. I put the kielbasa on at this point.
Still wanted the temp below 200, so I put the water pan back in and am waiting for it to stabilize again. Once it does, I'll check the coals about once an hour and toss in another one or two as needed...I think!
Will update later.
This is EXHAUSTING! :eek:
Thoughts SO FAR...
Gonna have to forget about a pellet tube right now (it will NOT stay lit with charcoal burning...lit w/a torch, let it burn for a few min, blew it out, had a good cherry...still went out within 10 mins after I put the lid on the smoker. I ended up putting on a couple of pcs of oak just touching the edge of the charcoal...smoking fine now!
Unless I'm EXCEPTIONALLY impatient (and there's a pretty good chance that I am), 4 lit coals only got the smoker to 108. Added 6 UN-lit coals on the top of those and temp went to 231. Started closing bottom vents and it stabilized at 220. I put the kielbasa on at this point.
Still wanted the temp below 200, so I put the water pan back in and am waiting for it to stabilize again. Once it does, I'll check the coals about once an hour and toss in another one or two as needed...I think!
Will update later.
This is EXHAUSTING! :eek: