How does lump charcoal works with the smokenator, especially in the winter?
836664
it works but you have to use a little more charcoal in the winter and it takes a little longer. we live in the UP of Michigan where average temps are 10-20 degrees when we are cooking
1127718
Getting it to smoke is easy but it also depends on how you use it. If you are using charcoal than soak the wood chips for 30 minutes - 5 hours before smoking and then put them over top hot coals. If you are using propane then just put the wood chips in your pan above the flame and start with the flame on high until they start to smoke then turn it down before adding meet. According to some people, the best kind of smoke is one that you cannot even see and then others say if the smoker isn't billowing than you are not doing it right. I find that it works either way. Mine usually billows a lot of smoke at first and then after an hour or so tappers way down. Hope this helps Getting it to smoke is easy but it also depends on how you use it. If you are using charcoal than soak the wood chips for 30 minutes - 5 hours before smoking and then put them over top hot coals. If you are using propane then just put the wood chips in your pan above the flame and start with the flame on high until they start to smoke then turn it down before adding meet. According to some people, the best kind of smoke is one that you cannot even see and then others say if the smoker isn't billowing than you are not doing it right. I find that it works either way. Mine usually billows a... » Read More Getting it to smoke is easy but it also depends on how you use it. If you are using charcoal than soak the wood chips for 30 minutes - 5 hours before smoking and then put them over top hot coals. If you are using propane then just put the wood chips in your pan above the flame and start with the flame on high until they start to smoke then turn it down before adding meet. According to some people, the best kind of smoke is one that you cannot even see and then others say if the smoker isn't billowing than you are not doing it right. I find that it works either way. Mine usually billows a lot of smoke at first and then after an hour or so tappers way down. Hope this helps « Show Less
445888
I haven't actually tried it on charcoal, but it should definitely work on charcoal.
1953876
I have not used it yet, but with other smokers I soaked the chips for 20 minutes and then put them on the charcoal wet. However this smoker is electric so I have to read the directions. Sorry.
404996
I have used charcoal brickets and fluid with good results. Don't skimp on the size of the pile, as when you spread them out they won't provide sufficient heat. Don't know about other fuel types.
1170112
I always use lump charcoal, which is basically just burnt wood (and is sold pretty much anywhere you can find charcoal, Walmart is the best place to get it). You shouldn't really smoke with charcoal, for the exact reason you mentioned, you should always use lump charcoal or wood. You just put wood chunks on top of the lump charcoal and you have your heat and smoke!
1685642
I don't use the water pan that came with the smokenator. I use a larger loaf pan and set it on top of the hole for adding more charcoal. This allows more room for charcoal.
596305
humm...I assume you are using "lump" charcoal. On that basis try lighting it with a torch or one of the little wax impregnated compressed wood lighters. Lump cam be difficult to light, once you get the hang of it no problem. Yes, as someone else pointed out overfilling can be a problem as well. Consult instructions.
1566958
no, first part was deemed defective I'm in middle of RMA now. however what I did find out and has helped quite a bit is I removed the charcoal canister and applied a small amount of compressed air to make the can expand and then tapped with rubber mallet to break up the lump of coal that had formed causing blockage. until li could hear the charcoal moving again. Try it!
821138
I've used FOGO for quite some time and found it to be the best lump available for kamados. I'm betting that your fire grate is block by ask or small bits of charcoal. Temperature is directly related to airflow. With your vents wide open, you should easily hit 700° with FOGO. Clean out the ash, clean your fire grate and enjoy the best lump charcoal on the market!
1956930
I use " Lump Charcoal " It is wonderful and can be purchased at any hardware store. Also when you are done cooking just shut the grill lid and the vents and the fire will go out saving any unburned charcoal.
931446
Lump charcoal burns very hot. I would STRONGLY suggest the old standbye, Kingsford. Works for me and should for you too! :)
1209262
hi, karen. the minion method is a way of lighting your charcoal to extend the burn time. basically you leave a blank space in the middle of the grate and build a ring of charcoal around that blank space. then you would fill the open or blank space with lit coals. this will burn toward the outside and slowly ignite the other charcoal as the burn goes on. the basis of this is to control and to prolong the burn time.. its actullay very simple but highly effective .. give it a search on youtube and there will be dozens of videos showing the process...
858025
Hi Peter, The Smokemeister works extremely well when mounted slightly below the cooking grate. There needs to be enough air flow through the grilling chamber along with a vent for it to effectively generate a significant amount of smoke. I have it mounted on a charcoal hot smoker and am impressed with its ability to truly cold smoke salmon etc. A gas grill as you describe might be more difficult to make an attachment. The smoke tends to rise depending on the ventilation so mounted above the grill rack would not produce a quantity of smoke compared to mounted below the rack. Ernest K
1314778
I prefer lump charcoal such as Royal Oak. The larger pieces hold heat much better and break down slower than briquettes. Lump charcoal seems to burn the fresh wood I sometimes use at a slower rate as well. I love using my smoker and hope you have a similar experience.
264509
No it uses the Bradley discs that feed into the heating element. You detach the heating element from the box, connect the cold smoker to the box then reattach the heating element to the cold smoker attachment. It smokes cheeses great.
2128636
To season it i just did acouple of cooks with some fatty foods. Bacon or meat that you do not wish to eat just to seal up all the holes. To start the charcoal I use a chimney starter with some newspaper under it which lights it up real quick!