Ninja Smoke Need Advice

[snowdog71]

So I have been reading that thin blue smoke is what I want a couple of questions, since I smoke with LPG when I start at the beginning the smoke is heavier and whiter as the chunks are starting to smolder, is this tipical or desirable, I have a small firebox,MF two door propane, is less more? when it comes to adding my chunks, any advice helpful, doing first babybacks for the fourth, 2-2-1 method with chef JJ gluten free rub and sauce, Thanks Rick

 

[foamheart]

I have never cooked with gas other than the stove.

I have burn sticks and done electric. I once read where a very wise smoke Guru said that white smoke is tasteless. Thin blue smoke is the exhaust seen when the air and fuel are in harmony.

I have used electric smokers for years also. But with an electric, I have never seen a blue smoke; thin smoke, low smoke, good smoke, but never that same blue smoke seen from a stick burner.

The white smoke means its an incomplete burn, sometimes its a moisture release, but I am guessing you are still going to get that Thin Blue smoke from a gas burner as long as its dry heat using wood and they are in harmony. Its kind of a feng shui kind of thing, like the carburetor on a car.

I am sure someone more familiar with your type pit will correct me if I am wrong. Hey it happens.

 

[jirodriguez]

All wood is going to have a period of 5 min. or so where the smoke is billowy and white, but it should settle down after that provided your wood is dry and seasoned. Another thing you can do to help it along is to pre-heat the wood - yours being an electric you could put the chunk of wood on the lower rack and let it heat up in the smoking chamber for half an hour or so. It won't smoke that far from the element, but if will get it hot and start to evaporate off the volatiles in a controlled manner. Also a side burner or gas BBQ works well for this - just make sure the wood is heating up without actually smoldering.