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I have been having issues getting my A Maze N Smoker going and staying lit. I am thinking I have some damp sawdust that is why it won't stay lit. If I remember right I think I read you can either put the dust in the microwave for a while or in the oven. Just wanted to see what you have found works the best. Tonight I was smoking some cheese and I had to light the dust 4-5 times. I need to make sure I dry out my cheery bag next time before I use it.
Hey Ross,
Sorry for the issues, but 99% of the time, it's the moisture content of the sawdust. When I get the sawdust, it's around 8% moisture content, but we had almost a month of high humidity and thunderstorms almost every day. Sawdust can easily absorb moisture and just as easily release it. It seems that the guys in drier climates have no issues, and we, in humid areas have to take a step to dry the sawdust. NWDave lives out in Washington, and nukes his sawdust every time he uses his smoker, just to insure he has no issues.
Oven Test:
I placed 1# of sawdust in the oven @ 275* to dry, and checked the weight after 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, weighed 14.5 ounces, or in other words dissipated about 10% of it's total weight as moisture. I kept it in the oven for another 2 hours, and checked it every 30 minutes, but no difference in weight. All moisture was dissipated in the first 30 minutes.
I left the 14.5 oz. of sawdust on the counter overnight, and the next morning, to my surprise, the sawdust gained almost 1 ounce overnight, just from sitting in the counter. Poured some in a AMNS, started with a mico torch and it burned completely.
Microwave Test:
I poured 3 cups of sawdust into a bowl, and nuked it for 60 seconds. Took the bowl out and gave it a stir to release the moisture. Placed it in the nuker for another 60 seconds, removed it and again, gave it a stir to release any moisture. Filled up an AMNS, started it and it burned completely.
If any of you guys have questions or concerns, my phone is always on!!!
Hope this helps!
Todd
(952)412-0484