Meatsmokers and Equipment
Q & A

correct vertical smoker water level 
Is there a proper level to keep your liquid at in the vertical smoker? Should I fill it to the top of the pan and add when it's almost evaporated or try ...

Plastic In a Converted Freezer Smoker 
I have inherited a huge upright freezer and I would like to make a smoker out of it. I am going to use an electric portable cooking unit in it for heat....

temperature drops in electric smoker 
After loading my electric smoker the smoker temperature drops of course but how low of a temp is still safe with chicken or any other meat?

The temp ...

Using a water pan in an offset charcoal smoker 
I've been using my propane vertical water smoker for some time with great success but wanted to try a charcoal offset firebox smoker. First time, heat ...

wood in bottom or next pan of vertical gas smoker 
i have a new upright gas smoker, the instructions do not say whether the wood goes on the bottom tray or the second to the bottom tray. one gets water,...

Fueling an offset smoker with all wood 
What type of fuel is best for offset smokers? I have always used charcoal with wood on top to add smoke. Is there any way to bypass the charcoal and just ...

My brisket has a tongue numbing taste 
I smoked a brisket for about six hours with my home made offset smoker,I used white oak and a bit of mesquite to build a fire in the firebox, when the ...

Error codes masterbuilt electric smoker 
i have code EAAF on the console display. This is Masterbuilt model 20072010 and I have only seasoned it once and the unit will not heat but timer does ...

no chip box for wood chips with masterbuilt propane smoker 
I just received a Masterbuilt propane smoker for Christmas and nowhere in the directions does it have a place for the wood chips. There is a flame disk ...

Excessive moisture in Masterbuilt electric smoker 
I just did my first cook in my new Masterbuilt 40" cooker with digital temp control. I did everything like the book said (which is very little). Vent ...

maintaining fire box temps 
Recently i purchased a old smoker from a friends uncle, as i have been learning the wonderful world of smoking i have discovered a issue that seems to ...

need help smoking summer sausage 
How do you stop from cooking the fat out of home summer sausage so it will come out as good as commercial grades?

vertical charcoal smoker temperature problem 
I have a vertical charcoal smoker that I have an extremely hard time getting the temperature above 150 degrees. I have used it twice. The first time was ...

cooking time in brinkmann electric smoker 
I just bought a new electric Brinkmann, had 2 whole chickens. After 6 hours, they were still not cooked through. The smoker doesn't seem hot enough..? Suggestions?...

Propane Smoker Running too Hot 
I suppose its possible my thermometer is off, but I can't get the smoker to run below 275. I have a rack of St Louis spare ribs in there right now, but ...

Finding Pecan Shells 
I live on the Peninsula near San Francisco.

Does anyone know where I can buy pecan shells locally?

Thanks!

Electric Smoker Temperature Not Hot Enough 
I have an electric bullet smoker and am wondering how to get the temperature to go higher. I have cooked pork butts but can't get their internal temperature ...

Gas Smoker Not Enough Smoke 
I have a gas smoker. I soak the wood chips for a hour, drain and put into the box. I cannot get heavy smoke. What am I doing wrong? I am just beginning ...

Best place to check the temp in an offset smoker. 
Hi, I have a Charbroil American Gourmet Deluxe and the temp gauge it came with, well, sucks. I was wondering where would be the best place to place a temp ...

should charoal go into smoke chamber? 
Should I use indirect cooking by just keeping the firebox stoked or should I also add some charcoals to the smoking chamber??

thank you

ROD DELAND ...

Wood choice cast iron stove top smoker 
I purchased a cast iron stove/oven smoker and do not know whether to use green wood, dry wood, chips, dust, wet etc. and any other tips for this type ...

How do you use a pit smoker 
I have a side firebox type smoker but I can't get it up to temperature. I have used both charcoal briquettes and lump charcoal. How much should I use to ...

why use water in a smoker 
Why do we use water in the smoker, I try to smoke fish by hanging them and they fall off the hook,maybe because of the water?

Vertical Propane Smoker Unwanted Black Smoke Problem 
I have used a vertical propane smoker for 4 years and this season a very fine black smoke has been coating the meat and inside of the smoker. Very foul ...

How do I get fall of the bone meat in a propane vertical smoker? 
I recently purchase a vertical smoker and when I smoke ribs they seem to be juicy but tough. I smoke 2 lbs. for about 3 hours on 225F. I have tried twice ...

water pan in masterbuilt electric smoker 
I have no idea of the pros and cons of having water in the water pan of my Masterbuilt electric smoker. What is the purpose of adding water to the pan?...

HOMEMADE ICEBOX SMOKER PLANS 
How do you make a smoker out of an old icebox?

smoked food has oversmoked toxic taste 
What causes my smoked meat to have an oversmoked, almost toxic taste? I'm using an electric homemade trash can smoker along with Kingsford hickory chips....

Charbroil smoker door doesn't seem to seal well. 
I have just purchased a Charbroil CB600X vertical smoker. After assembling it, it looks like the door doesn't seal all the way. There may even be a slight ...

Temperature control in sidebox smoker 
I have tried everything to control the temp in the side smoker that I have but can't get it below 300 degrees.

How can I modify my vertical gas smoker to use chunks instead of chips? 
I recently bought a vertical gas smoker and it has a wood chip box. I would like to somehow make something that will hold chunks, so I can get more smoke....

Checking Temperature in Cookshack smoker 
I own a Cookshack II 008 smoker 1999 model.
Is the only way to tell the temperature in the oven,to put the thermometer in the oven and open the oven when ...

Need Firebox For Royal Oak Smoker 
Where can I get a firebox for my Royal Oak Smoker? Got the smoker on clearance and now I want the firebox so I can do it right.

wood for off set smoker 
How dry should the alder wood i use for my off set smoker be?

-green?

-6 months old?

-or bone dry?

I seem to get a lot of black meats even ...

charcoal smoker vs gas smoker 
Hi, I just bought my husband a charcoal smoker for his birthday; we,re all about grilling and deepfrying turkey and want to spread our wings. As beginners ...

Smoking a turkey in an electric smoker 
When smoking a turkey in an electric smoker how often should you add chips? I am afraid of over smoking the turkey.

MAINTAIN ING TEMPERATURES IN A SMOKER 
HOW DO I KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL (WOOD) TO PUT ON TO GET TO AND MAINTAIN 200 FOR DESIRED AMOUNT OF TIME?

seal for door, smoke leaks from electric smoker 
When I am smoking with my electric smoker a lot of smoke comes from the door. Can I use something to make a better seal or is that normal?

Smoke problems with propane water smoker 
I have a propane vertical water smoker, and I can't seem to keep the unit from burning the chips before I get any kind of good smoke out of it. The unit ...

Masterbuilt Smokers 
I'm looking at purchasing a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. They are sold at Lowes, Cabelas, and Bass Pro. Have you heard any reviews on these or have any ...

electric smokers, juice drips on heating element 
How do I stop juices from dropping on the heating element in the electric smoker? I have a Smoke Hollow electric smoker.

wood won't smoke in vertical smoker 
I can't get the wood to smoke in my vertical smoker when I have the temp at 200 degrees. If I turn it up to 300 it does but once I lower it that's it....

just bought a smoker what to smoke first? 
I am looking for my "first meal" smoke. I have just bought a cheaper electric smoker since I don't know a lot about it yet. What would be a good "break ...

Wood chunks or chips better in a vertical propane smoker? 
I just purchased a Cabela's 48" vertical propane smoker with a metal box for the wood that sits over the burner. Are chunks or chips better in this type ...

seasoning a new pit? 
I have just built a new pit, and am wondering the best way to season it. It is all 1/4 steel.

What type of grill or smoker to buy? 
Hello, I am new to smoking and my propane bbq just gave up.I was wondering if you have any suggestions on what I should buy next,Is there a grill/smoker/...

Adding Wood to a Propane Smoker 
ON A PROPANE SMOKER DO I ADD WOOD ONCE OR TWICE ON A 5 HOUR CYCLE OR DO I ADD WOOD TO KEEP IT SMOKING FOR THE FIVE HOUR CYCLE? HEAT APPOX 225 TO 250 DEGRESS....

Buford "T" Has Masterbuilt Smoker Problems 
My wife stood in line at pro bass and got me an electric smoker made by master-built. said it was 30in. tall 20in. wide and 17in deep. i have cured the ...

Smoker's Not Smoking Using Masterbuilt Electric Smoker 
I'm a newbie at this--got a Masterbuilt electric smoker for Christmas. First project was a ham which turned out great--used apple wood chips. Now I'm ...

Just got my first smoker -- Electric Smoker requires Finishing in Oven 
Just got an electric smoker. Should I use water every time I smoke or just with certain foods? Also the book that came with the smoker said to finish off ...

Searching For Natural Gas Smoker 
I am looking for a vertical natural gas smoker. Many articles, like yours, reference them, but I cannot seem to find one online........ I'd rather purchase ...

building a smoker for summer sausage 
I have a metal enclosure and want to regulate the cooking temperature so I don't render the fat out of my summer sausage and such.

insulation question for homemade ssmoker 
I am making a smoker out of an old refrigerator,I pulled out all of the insulation in the fridge. Was that the correct thing to do or should I put insulation ...

Plans For Homemade Smoker Shaped Like Pig 
I would like to make a smoker/cooker in the shape of a pig. Can I get some help in regard to non-flammable materials to make this from? I already have ...

smoking with the char broil big easy  
I'm going to try smoking chips tomorrow morning can you please post if anyone else has tried this?

brinkmann vertical smoker parts 
I have a vertical charcoal smoker and I'm not sure I have all the pieces to grill with. I have a bottom bowl, two iron grates and the vertical tube with ...

converting to a pellet smoker 
I have a propane burner for heat in my smoker now. I recently have acquired a pellet stove. How can I convert my smoker for the pellet stove. I can't find ...

Buying a new meat smoker, gas, electric or charcoal? 
I am replacing my electric Brinkmann vertical smoker. I smoke briskets, fish, turkeys and make jerky. I have trouble maintaining temperature in the cold ...

keeping the smoker temperature up  
I recently bought a char-broil gas fired smoker.
The smoker temp got up to 200 deg but when I put the meat in it dropped to 150 and I couldn't get the ...

Shelf Height Position In Smokers 
I have 5 different heights for my shelves in my smoker. How important is the placement of the shelves when smoking. Do you get a better product if placed ...

Home made Icebox smoker temperature safety 
Hi,
Love your site. I'm learning a great deal and thank you and all of those who participate.

I have fashioned a smoker from an old icebox. It's approximately ...

Rusty charcoal water smoker- Is It Safe? 
Is it safe to use a charcoal water smoker which shows signs of rust internally?

Trouble maintaining temps 
I'm new to smoking and my temps fluctuate between 300 and 150 degrees. I can not maintain a good smoking temp between 225 and 250. My charcoal seems ...

controlling slow cook temperature 
I have the small brinkman barbaque pit with the fire chamber off to the side. I am just starting to use the indirect method of slow cooking.I plan to use ...

Humidity In a Smoke Oven 
I will have the opportunity to use a smoke oven, where I can adjust 3 parameters: time, temperature and humidity.
I am pretty clear about time and temperature,...

Smoke- Controlling Smoke in Offset Smoker 
How do you get the offset smoker "smoke" to be nearly colorless? I seem to have a lot of smoke coming from mine even though the temp is between 225-250....

Firebox Size For 200 Gallon Smoker 
I have a 200 Gal. tank,thats now a smoker
(LAYS FLAT).
How big should the firebox be?
Any plans or ideas would be great.

THANKS- Phil

smoker seasoning 
I purchased my third gas smoker and the sales person suggested that I rub the inside of the smoker with vegetable oil and turn the smoker on until the ...

Want Non-Electric Smoker 
hi

i just returned from visiting my sister where i was introduced to her pellet smoker and was impressed by the method of cooking...i am back in canada ...

Should I Buy Electric Smoker? 
I am a long time barbecue chef on my Weber grill. I want to buy a smoker and was leaning towards an electric smoker because they seem to be able to smoke ...

Luhr Jensen Little Chief Smoker Problem 
Hi,

I have a Luhr Jensen little Chief smoker with no temperature control.

In the book that came with my smoker it always says to brine the food ...

Brinkmann Charcoal Smoker Too Hot 
Hi I've just become a subscriber and I need some help.

Smokers are not a very largely used item in Australia so I don't have anyone to call on for advice....

Homemade Refrigerator Smoker  
Your site is great!

I fashioned a smoker out of an old 9 cubic foot all metal refrigerator. At first I fired it with wood, then I tried a two-burner ...

Propane Meat Smoker Recommendation 
I am a novice smoker and have not bought a unit yet. I'm thinking that I'd prefer gas. I want a good quality unit under $250. I would also like a good ...

Curing a New Meat Smoker 
I just bought a new Brinkmann electric smoker. After I get it put together, is it ready to start smoking in? Is there anything I should do before smoking ...

Indirect Grilling with a Water Smoker 
In addition to smoking I am interested in using my water smoker for indirect grilling. There are occasions, such as weeknights, when I want to indirect ...

Can't get the temp up 
I just bought a smoker and last night I did a dry run to season it. I could not get the temperature high enough. Last night I just used charcoal and ...

cooking basics - hard to reach smoking temperature 
Hi,just fired up a "bbq-pro" charcoal grill with offset smoker box model cooker. It was hard to get heat past 150 until we added wood to the brickettes ...

getting started with my first smoker 
I just bought my first smoker and was planning on smoking ribss this weekend using hickory wood. but how do i get it started? do i need to throw preheated ...

When To Use Water Pan In Smoker 
When smoking meat, must a pan of water always be used? Does the water pan always have to be filled with water?

Firebox Size - How Big? Building Homemade Smoker 
hi my name is jason. i am building an offset smoker pit along with a friend, its our first attempt and i have my design figured along with the dimensions....

Determining temperature of meat smoker  
How do you know the temp of your vertical smoker if it doesn't have a thermometer?
Should I use an oven thermometer in the top vent?

Hand me down meco smoker no instructions  
I would like to know how much charcoal to start out with and if I should use chunks or chips for smoking in it?

Wood-heat-humidity? 
Did a Que last Thursday. Brisket,turned out very good with nice color and bark-smoke ring was fanaminal (at east 1/4". I pre-burn ALL my wood in a barrel ...

Sheet Metal Smoker Plans Wanted 
I am currently using a store bought side box smoker. It is of fairly sturdy design and it was in the $250.00 price range. It is my first smoker and I ...

Checking internal meat temps in smoker.  
I have an electric smoker. I have yet to use it. It says to keep the door closed. How do I know when the chicken's internal temp reaches 160 and is done ...

what is a smokin grill 
I have this thing and it's called a Smokin Grill but I have no idea how to use it. Someone gave it to me and they never used it!

When and how to use a water pan 
I recently bought a Mastercraft electric smoker. I want to smoke beef ribs and beef brisket. In the past I had an inexpensive electric kettle type upright ...

smoke box on side of pit smoker 
When smoking meat, does the wood and fire go in the pit or the smoker box. a standard oblong grill with side smoke box.

Cleaning My Smoker After Using 
What's the best way to clean my smoker after use?
Should you line the shelves with foil?

cold smoking - want plans to build cold smoker 
i am looking for plans to build a cold smoker,and also how to do it,i would like to cold smoke a hind quarter of venison this fall.
this sites great

Cold Smoking Salmon In An Electric Water Smoker 
How do you cold smoke salmon? I have made gravlox but want to make Lox which is brined then cold smoked. I have an electric water smoker.
Liz

Smoking 2 different meats Masterbuilt Smokehouse 
Hello!

Today I purchased a Masterbuilt 30" Electric Smokehouse. (I am a COMPLETE "smoker rookie," so went electric...dont make fun!) Can you please ...

Rookie Smoker 
I have a char-broil H2O electric smoker that my wife bought at a garage sale, so there were no instructions. I love to grill but this is my first time ...

Using an electric smoker 
I recently bought a Royal Oak electric smoker. So far I've smoked some spare ribs, and a brisket for Easter. Both turned out great!

My problem is, I ...

new smoker but no instructions 
My wife bought an electric smoker at a garage sale and ther were no instructions. This is the first time that I've ever tried smoking. I'm doing a pork ...

Vertical Electric Smoker Meat Placement 
If I was to smoke several meats does it matter what meats are placed where in the smoker? My smoker has three racks.

We have only used it one time....

Gas smoker temperature too hot 
I have a vertical gas smoker. I'm having trouble keeping the temp low enough. Even with the vent fully open and the temp control on the lowest setting....

"tar" Inside of my smoker 
I have been using my smoker for a few years and it has developed a large ammount of "tar" on the inside. Is this just added seasoning to my food or am ...

Water Smoker Smoking Brisket  
When smoking a Brisket in a water smoker, should I cover the meat in Kosher salt to keep it from burning/drying out over the 10 hr. smoking time? or just ...

new to grilling/smoking 
Although I have grilled before I am still a novice,I want to buy a smoker and to start off with I was thinking of getting a vertical 3 in 1 type.
I have ...

adding an electric vented smoker to the kitchen  
I'm remodeling my kitchen. One of the things I want to add is a vented smoker of real good quality that will hold up to 50 lbs. I have read a lot about ...

regulating temp in barrel smoker 
I have a barrel type smoker-one on it's side as the cooking area and a smaller one attached to it as the fire area. i can't seem to keep the temp at a ...

smoked baby back ribs in big green egg 
I'm new at smoking meats. I've tried bbq'ing ribs before but did not turn out well. I have a big green egg that should work well for smoking. Can you suggest ...

smoker temperature 
what should the temperature in my smoker be? I have a Brinkman, ($99, water smoker, electric, cylindrical type). It seems to stay around 235 degrees....

metal wood chip box in electric smoker 
Can I place a metal wood chip box next to
the heating element on a Brinkmann electric
grill/smoker and get the same effect as
placing wood chips on ...

charcoal grill with smoker box attached 
I have a charcoal grill with a smoke box attached.
I have lost the directions and I don't know how to use the box attached to the grill. Do you put ...

Little Chief Temperature 
I just got a unit at a garage sale and wonder if its temperature will be hot enough to cook pork or if it will only smoke the meat and then I'll have to ...

Looking for accurate digital meat thermometer 
I have been having disapointing results with "stay in the meat while cooking" digital thermometers.

They continually under-temp, resulting in over cooked ...

Smoker Not Getting Hot Enough 
What is the best way to get lots of heat in my smoker? The vent stack is not that hot after two hours of burning lump coal.

Getting smoke flavor in my cajun microwave 
Hello all,
I just built a cajun microwave. Yea I know....look it up on google and you will see what it is. It is basically an outdoor oven....or duch ...

Vertical Water Smoker Only Reaches 170 Degrees 
I've had a vertical water smoker for a couple years, have used it maybe 15 times. I start charcoal brisquets in chimney and poor them into pan when the ...

Adding Woodchips to Smokerbox 
When I notice that the amount of smoke has decreased, I need to add more chips to the box. Do I throw the new chips in on top of the old, blackened chips,...

Stovetop Smoker on Smoothtop Range 
I have an electric smoothtop range. The range manufacturer's book states not to use a pan SMALLER than the heating element, but does not address using ...

smoking pork butt in vertical smoker 
I'm a first time smoker and am having problems. It's a charcoal/wood upright smoker it has a coal/wood basket and a water basket. I am trying to cook a ...

Using Little Chief electric smoker  
I have been smoking with a little chief electric smoker and finishing on the grill or oven. Is that about all I can do with larger cuts of meat with this ...

Old refrigerator for smoker 
I have found a used commercial refrigerator that looks like
it has stainless or aluminum inside. The refrigeration unit on top can be removed. Would this ...

Recipes for Royal Oak Smokers 
I have had a Brinkman electric smoker for years and love it, it has worn out so I just recently purchased a Royal Oak Electric smoker model # E1609B it ...

Royal Oak electric smoker 
I have a Royal Oak electric smoker that won't smoke. I set it up per the instructions, turned it on high and 3 hours later I atill have no smoke. The temp ...

char-broil cb600x propane smoker runs out of water 
Why does my cb600x keeps running out of water?

How smokers work 
How does a smoker work & what's the best built smoker?