How often are you changing the foil? I changed mine after smoking a pork shoulder as there was quite a bit on it. Great idea foiling the bucket, I didn't even think about that. Do you just use yours to smoke bigger meats, or do you do everything on that? I was hoping to find some people that have used it to grill steaks and burgers, I'm wondering if I am going to start regretting not getting the sear box.
I usually let it get good and black, if nothing else, it might add a little flavor right? I smoke everything in mine, burgers, shoulders, ribs, jerky, prime roast, pizza, chicken whole and parts, cheeses, steaks, etc. I don't mind eating a steak without searing, and I usually have a little bacon fat to pan sear burgers in. I've taken a torch to some new york strips before too. I just couldn't see the cost of the sear box for how little I'd actually use it. Also I don't have any propane, I've never owned a gas grill.
As for the tube (sorry I missed that quote) I use one almost every smoke except maybe for burgers. I have an amazn one and a cheap ebay spare, I think I still need a 6"er for shorter smokes. Ground meat takes on smoke flavor more heavily than whole cuts. I tried the
Pit boss comp blend myself and I thought it was too mild also, but there are only a few things I personally want maple flavor on too. I used the rest of my bag up just on things that were foiled, as it was the cheapest fuel on hand. I personally like the B&B brand of hickory or apple from Walmart. I have yet to get my hands on some cheap lumberjack pellets. I was offered in a group buy, but they told me the delivery date might be flexible and I would have to be there that day to pick up. I didn't want that causing me to miss work. These grills run on cycles, at first allowing the pellets to burn very hot and efficiently to keep the chamber up to temp, then let them smolder to create more smoke, then hot, then smolder. I can get an overpowering smoke flavor on thin cuts like ribs and steaks with just the addition of one tube. I know everyone says they have a milder profile than something burning logs sticks or chunks, but mine does enough for me and then some. That's why I was curious of your and other's opinions in this thread who have already had other smokers.