Masterbuilt 30" Vertical Propane Smoker - problem maintaining temperature/smoke

[shm522]

I'm new to this site and loving all the great tips.  I've already purchased the Maverick ET73 dual wireless thermometer to get an accurate read on the smoker temp.  I'm also using an 8" cast iron pan on top of the supplied pan, to add my woodchips to.

When smoking, I usually soak about 2 cups of woodchips for 30-60 minutes, which I then add to the cast iron pan.  I also leave the back vent open and add water to the supplied water pan.  The problem I'm having is maintaining 225 F, as even on the lowest setting it is around 275 F.  But when I turn it down that low, my wood chips stop smoking, so to maintain smoke I crank it up to somewhere between the medium and low setting. But then the temperature will stay between 300-350 F.

So what am I doing wrong here?

 

[daveomak]

shm, evening.....  Try using one of those thin SS pans made for a Big Chief smoker and use less chips... maybe 1/4 cup....   Once the chips start to smoke, turn the gas down.....  You could even try one of those SS electric stove burner covers.....  Cast Iron takes too much heat to get chips smoking...    Just what I have determined in many attempts to smoke stuff...   Dave

 

[s2k9k]

Like Dave said I use a 9' metal baking pan. I have 2 friends with MB XL's and they have been using a cast iron fry pan with good results. I think they took out the stock pan and use an old gas stove burner cover to hold the pan. I don't use chips I use chunks because they last a lot longer. I had a problem with my GOSM not going below 250* so I bought a needle valve and that really helped. Also I don't use water in the pan, I fill it with playsand and that has really helped maintain temp.

I see this is your first post so when you get a minute stop by "Roll Call" and formally introduce yourself to the forum, and would you also do us a favor and update your profile to include your location, it helps others when they offer advice, Thanks!

 

[jakethessnake]

Try using chunks instead. I have my cast iron pan sitting in the factory pan, and I only use chunks. Mine will get pretty decent smoke down to around 200 this way.

 

[shm522]

shm, evening.....  Try using one of those thin SS pans made for a Big Chief smoker and use less chips... maybe 1/4 cup....   Once the chips start to smoke, turn the gas down.....  You could even try one of those SS electric stove burner covers.....  Cast Iron takes too much heat to get chips smoking...    Just what I have determined in many attempts to smoke stuff...   Dave

Thanks for the tip.  I'm guessing like this one?

 

[shm522]

Like Dave said I use a 9' metal baking pan. I have 2 friends with MB XL's and they have been using a cast iron fry pan with good results. I think they took out the stock pan and use an old gas stove burner cover to hold the pan. I don't use chips I use chunks because they last a lot longer. I had a problem with my GOSM not going below 250* so I bought a needle valve and that really helped. Also I don't use water in the pan, I fill it with playsand and that has really helped maintain temp.

I see this is your first post so when you get a minute stop by "Roll Call" and formally introduce yourself to the forum, and would you also do us a favor and update your profile to include your location, it helps others when they offer advice, Thanks!

Thanks for all the great advice!  Can you explain what you mean by needle valve?

 

[shm522]

Try using chunks instead. I have my cast iron pan sitting in the factory pan, and I only use chunks. Mine will get pretty decent smoke down to around 200 this way.

Thanks, I've been using chips, so will give chunks a try.  Do they need to be soaked?

 

[jakethessnake]

Thanks, I've been using chips, so will give chunks a try.  Do they need to be soaked?

That's a debatable topic, but I say no. The water has to burn off before you get good combustion/thin blue smoke, so it's pretty pointless, imo. The only time i soak is with logs on my big stick burner, and that's only because it flares up when i add wood, so having water dripping off the logs helps knock the fire down. And with thicker wood, the water wont really soak up anything worthwhile like it would with chips. It would have to be submerged for a very long time to soak anything up.

 

[shm522]

That's a debatable topic, but I say no. The water has to burn off before you get good combustion/thin blue smoke, so it's pretty pointless, imo. The only time i soak is with logs on my big stick burner, and that's only because it flares up when i add wood, so having water dripping off the logs helps knock the fire down. And with thicker wood, the water wont really soak up anything worthwhile like it would with chips. It would have to be submerged for a very long time to soak anything up.

Got it, thanks!