Wood caught fire in box...suggestions/help please..

[texasrob]

Hello,

I have a newbie question for y’all…. I have a Master Forge with a Maverick ET-732 thermometer. On Sat I was attempting my 4th time smoking and never had a problem like this before. I was using soaked Hickory(which I noticed the wood chunks seemed to be bigger than I usually buy) and Apple and I had the wood box stocked full. I was smoking beer-can chick and a rack of spareribs. On Saturday I had the wood in the box catch fire twice on me, during two different times during the smoking session.

I had opened the gas full throttle as I did the burner to preheat the smoker, got it to about 270. I realize that when I add the food my temp will drop. I was trying to get a temp between 225-240. When I added my food I didn’t turn down the gas at all or the burner(kept the gas and burner full open). The first few hrs were fine…I was running about 250ish…so I didn’t worry about it to much. I live in Texas(so it was hot no surprise there) and LITTLE to NO wind at all that day, so I kept the bottom dampers at half open(like I usually do)

About 3 hrs in I had to help the wife with something and when I returned I noticed ALOT of smoke, I went outside and noticed some flames from the damper. Yeah I got nervous at this point(again 4th time smoking). So I opened the bottom door and poured some water to kill the fire in the wood box. I still had big charred chucks, so I poked them around and got a smoke again in a little bit..I added only a few more pieces in and sure enough got another fire..not as bad as first time, because I keep looking outside for flames near the damper. I was left wondering what I was doing wrong for this to happen twice to me during this one session and never happen to me before and a little shaken up to be honest.

I’m wondering going forward AFTER I preheat the smoker should I:

1) Keep gas open full and turn the burner down to half( I realize that this will drop my temp to about 190-216) at first but hopefully climb back up to 230-240…I know the name of the game is “low and slow”
2) If I have LITTLE to NO wind, keep the dampers “open” with a the gas and burner both on high.( I’m afraid if I keep the dampers open and turn the burner down to half I will never climb back up to at least 240)

I really enjoy this new hobby of mine, but this last experience left me a little uneasy/shaken on Saturday. I don’t want to be worried about jumping right back in, but I’m not sure what I need to do to prevent this from happening again. I realize all situations are unique, but I’m looking for suggestions as to MAY have happened and what I can do to prevent this again and tailor it to my situation(smoker, weather conditions, etc).
This site is just amazing when it comes to asking questions of the veterans and the new people alike. I just want to jump right back in, but looking for some education/feedback on as to why the wood may caught fire and when I need/can do to prevent in future.

Thanks as always

-Rob

 

[daveomak]

Fat dripping can burn...... Use only one (1) piece of wood for smoke generating.... Try smoking on a low flame.....

 

[texasrob]

Thank you very much for the reply.....The water pan pretty much covers the full area of the top of the wood box, but maybe some of the fat did get into the wood box I will definitely lower the flame next time...like I said even if it takes a little while to get the smoker back to 230ish(approx range looking for is (225-240) for the ribs abd chicken. I appreciate the suggestion.

Thanks

Rob

 

[demosthenes9]

Thank you very much for the reply.....The water pan pretty much covers the full area of the top of the wood box, but maybe some of the fat did get into the wood box I will definitely lower the flame next time...like I said even if it takes a little while to get the smoker back to 230ish(approx range looking for is (225-240) for the ribs abd chicken. I appreciate the suggestion.

Thanks

Rob

Rob, do you happen to have any pics of your smoker with the door open ?  Or can you locate one on google images that looks exactly like your setup ?

 

[sqwib]

On my GOSM I can have it full blast and the chunks never catch fire.

X2 Demosthenes9 can you shot us a pic?

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• sqwib
• Jul 9, 2014

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• sqwib
• Jul 9, 2014

I usually pull them before they ash over.(I save them and use them for Lump)

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• sqwib
• Jul 9, 2014

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• sqwib
• Jul 9, 2014

 

[texasrob]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I truly appreciate it. The only thing I can think of is 1) some fat dripped and got on the wood...2) there was no wind and it did truly get to hot, like I mentioned I had the box full of wood. Next time I smoke, I will take note of the wind or lack there of, seeing I live in Texas I know it will be hot. I will definitely lower the burner once the smoker is loaded with the food...I just need to get back to 225-240 for the ribs...low and slow baby. I will monitor the lower door a little closer also. This forum is so helpful and truly makes this new hobby of mine pleasant!!

Thanks

Rob

 

[sqwib]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I truly appreciate it. The only thing I can think of is 1) some fat dripped and got on the wood...2) there was no wind and it did truly get to hot, like I mentioned I had the box full of wood. Next time I smoke, I will take note of the wind or lack there of, seeing I live in Texas I know it will be hot. I will definitely lower the burner once the smoker is loaded with the food...I just need to get back to 225-240 for the ribs...low and slow baby. I will monitor the lower door a little closer also. This forum is so helpful and truly makes this new hobby of mine pleasant!!

Thanks

Rob

If your temps dip too low from lowering your flame, raise your chip box slightly, maybe a 1/4" - 1/2" to start. Using my Old Gosm, I often thought about making an adjustable chip box to adjust with the flame.