No Smoke!!!

[jimbo1]

I have a great outdoors smoky mountain propane smoker.  I seasoned it according to the directions, i.e. 225 for 2 hours and  filled the wood box with cherry chips.  Never did see any smoke out of the top vent.  After 2 hours the very bottom layer of chips was charred and the rest of the chips looked like I had just put them in.  Did I do something wrong?   Help!

 

[foamheart]

I don't use a propane but let me ask ya a few questions

Did you soak the chips?

Its a long discussion about soaking chips although most agree its not the way to go.

Why chips and not chunks?

Most fired smokers use chucks instead of chips

Is the exhaust vent fully open?

You must have air flow for the chips to heat.

How full did you fill the chip tray?

Most folks start out with way too many chips expecting it to be like a campfire.

If you ran a smoker for 2 hours you definately should see amoke as long as you have a proper flow allignment. 

 

[jimbo1]

No, I did not soak the chips.  Being new to smoking I wasn't aware there was that much of a difference.  I'll try chunks.  The exhaust vents were all set to the stop tabs as detailed in the instructions.  Better air flow makes sense.  I'll open them up.  I filled the wood box because that's what the instructions said to do.  I'll trial-and-error different levels of chunks.  Thanks too much for the advice.  Jimbo1

 

[foamheart]

I was really hoping someone with a smoker like yours would hacve showed up by now.

You know tomorrow you can call their 800 number and they should be able to tell you more.

1-800-944-8982

Most fire burners use chuck vice chips althought chips should burn faster, the opposite from your problem.

Hope it all works out for you, if you don't suceeed come back and I am sure someone who has one like yours will better help you.

 

[kathrynn]

Not familiar with your smoker.  BUT....giving this thread a BUMP....to see that others will get a chance to chime in and help out!

Kat

 

[jtupper]

I don't have the same smoker but I am cooking on a master forge gasser right now. My startup is to run the gas wide open with the top flue all the way open and both bottom vents closed all the way. If yours is anythinglike mine the bottom of the unit is pretty open under the burner and the lower side vents just let heat out. Once I have a good smoke then I dial it I where I want it. Usually about 30% Byt YMMV. Goodluck and let us know how it goes.

 

[jimbo1]

Thanks for the tips.  I'm in the process of converting my GOSM to a pellet smoker.  Much more involve than I thought   Still having trouble maintaining smoke.  Determined to keep at it until  get it figured out.

 

[slider n copa]

I have a small Masterbuilt verticle gas unit, Make sure you put the smoke box directly over the burner, Depending on the ambient temp. the burner can be so low it doesn't get the box hot enough,, And are there holes in the top and bottom of the smoke box?