Pre-drying pellets or desiccant packs?

[TheReluctantCraftstronaut]

I am cold smoking bacon this morning and ran into my pellets (in an A Maze N tube) burning out.

These are Pitboss brand, if that matters, and it's not the first time they've burned out on me after lighting. I'm using a small butane troch to light and keep the torch on them for a solids 30-45 seconds, let them burn with flame for a minute, then blow the flame out.

I've recently moved to the Ozarks about two years ago and this issue has only happened here, never in my previous home (arid southwest).

Is it possible the humidity in their air is getting into the pellets and making them harder to burn? If so, do any of you store pellets with desiccant or pre-heat them to dry them out before using?

For what it's worth, when I burn these pellets in my pellet smoker, and not the A Maze N tube, I have no issues at all.

 

[BigW.]

Some folks dry in the microwave first. Humidity may be your problem but I think letting it burn longer may help. I use a full size torch and probably double the time you mentioned above on each step. Some here also crack the door of smoker for more air, or add a U-bolt to get a bit of an angle on tube. Depends on your set up, what works best.

 

[charlieL]

I have some smoking pellets that will go out in the amazin tube if I light them with a propane torch. If I light them with a heat gun, and play the heat gun over the length of the tube while lighting, the staying lit probability is nearly perfect. It takes a bit longer than my torch, but the results are really good.

 

[thirdeye]

Not only do I microwave pellets until slightly warm, I use a strainer to sift out any sawdust before using in my pellet tube.

 

[Hijack73]

I always have to buck the trend lol. I dry mine in the oven. Turn the oven on, fill the tube, place in pan in oven, if the oven is at temp by the time I put the pellets in, I turn it off. I would say I usually let it sit in there ~30 minutes. Seems easier to get them lit if they are already hot.

 

[Winterrider]

When using pellets in tube or tray I "always" microwave them. 1 min, open stir pellets around and then another min. DO NOT leave unattended. I have had 1 ignite.

 

[normanaj]

Dust. It's all I burn in the tube.

 

[DougE]

Dust. It's all I burn in the tube.

What Norman said. I turn my pellets into dust by soaking in water till they disintegrate, dry said dust (more like slop), and pack into the tube. You have to use a stick or something to pack the dust into the tube as you fill it or it will just fall out the holes.

The dust burns way cooler than pellets do for cold smoking.

 

[normanaj]

I store all my pellets in sealed containers once I know they're dry. I make my dust as needed using nothing more than a cheap blender. Pecan shell pellets burn incredibly well as dust.

 

[TheReluctantCraftstronaut]

I am not a very active member here. Usually I just come here when I need help. Without fail, I always get the help I need and leave with more tools in my arsenal to further enjoy smoking. Thank you all for the help and advice. It's a great community here.

 

[Fueling Around]

I mash my pellets in a blender same as normanaj
I just make them into chips and dust.
Lighting either pellets or chips and dust takes a good torch. I used to use a regular butane torch, but the flame is too concentrated to light the fuel evenly.
Something as this is my favored tool

Let them burn for a good 10 minutes (which by many peoples timing is less than 5 minutes) before putting in your smoker.

 

[Chris_in_SoCal]

I'm in a dry environment but I store my pellets in a shed that keeps them dry in the original bag.

I fill my tube and place it vertical when lighting it with a torch similar to Fueling Around posted.

I let it burn for 5 minutes while getting other things ready then blow it out and set it horizontally in my smoker.

This is from last week. It is at the end and still smoking away. I did buy two so I can switch them out for longer cooks.

 

[Fueling Around]

...
I fill my tube and place it vertical when lighting it with a torch similar to Fueling Around posted.

I let it burn for 5 minutes while getting other things ready then blow it out and set it horizontally in my smoker.
...

Chris you were the enabler that first posted that type of torch. It is a wonder for lighting a pellet tube. Also works great at burning down weeds in the garden, but empties a 1# propane tank pretty fast. I've got 2 of them now.

 

[Chris_in_SoCal]

Chris you were the enabler that first posted that type of torch. It is a wonder for lighting a pellet tube. Also works great at burning down weeds in the garden, but empties a 1# propane tank pretty fast. I've got 2 of them now.

There is a cheap adapter that you can buy to refill them from a larger propane tank.

Propane adapter

I haven't used mine yet but will soon since I have two empties and a third almost there.

 

[slavikborisov]

id turn the pellets to dust by soaking them in water (break them apart by hand) then drying them in the oven on like a cookie sheet for a few hours at 275F

 

[DougE]

id turn the pellets to dust by soaking them in water (break them apart by hand) then drying them in the oven on like a cookie sheet for a few hours at 275F

I do it that way but just spread the now wet dust on a sheet pan and set it in the sun. Doesn't cost me a dime to dry.

Wouldn't work in winter too well but I usually have more dust than I need for the cool/cold season.