Newbie-Smoke Vault 18"

[Joel.S1975]

Hey everyone! I am brand new to smoking and I just got a Camp Chef Smoke Vault 18". My first 2 smokes have taken longer than I thought.

Smoke 1: 3.15lb brisket. I kept the temp around 230ish. I anticipated it would take a little less than 4hours, but it took close to 6 before it got to 190°.

Smoke 2: 2 chicken breasts too 3 hours to get to 150°. I ended up having to finish it up in the oven (by 8 the spouse and enough and the kids needed to eat). All the sites said it should take about an hour at 225°.

I bought an InkBird thermometer, tested it and the Vault door thermometer with boil water test and they showed the right temps.

Thanks in advance!

 

[chilerelleno]

The thermodynamics of smokers and smoking meat is not an exact science.

 

[Ranch House]

All smokers cook a little different but your not far off at all for the temps your cooking at. Briskets take time unless your cooking hot and fast. On your chicken I would bump your temp up to about 240-245 cook to an internal temp of 165. I prefer to cook breast a little hotter so thy don't dry out it will probably still take around 2-2 1/2 hours depending on the size.