Guess I just cant leave this topic alone lol
After reading how people made them from prior threads, I came up with my own way, I think its pretty easy...
Make a soup of 1 cup of water and 2-3 heaping tbls of flour, mix with some shavings (not too much at first, you can always add more chips as you go.
the key difference in my method is what you use to form them.
Radiator hose clamps.
I take a clamp, tighten it down on a real bisquette, but just snug so you can get it off without messing up the puck.
take some cooking spray on your finger and coat the inside of the clamp with it, and spray a cookie sheet with it
then go ahead and pack them full if chips, pressing as hard as you can, I used the lid of the cooking spray can to do this
put them in the oven about 225f for 3 hrs or so
let them cool, unscrew the clamp and thats it.
In use, I find that about 3/4 of the puck burns, I get about 80% of the smoke volume I get with the real thing. I think thats becasue the chips I use a not the same size and its not packed as tightly
I alternate one real puck, then one of mine when smoking, works great
I was worried it would burn too fast and turn to ash, but thats not the case
And no burnt flour smell?
nepas
I'm not being a smart ass but how much time and money did this cost.
.18 cents a puck...........for me its not worth it.
Lumpy
no its smells just the same as the real thing. Thats why I tried alternating the pucks, to see if I could tell the difference between them. i could not tell which was burning until I opened the door and looked at it.
I am making pork chops right now with it. These pucks are burning almost all the way down unlike my first try. I used my hamburger press to squish them down.
One thing I need to make them a little larger in diameter as i noticed some are not getting pushed into the pan, thats easy enough to correct on the next batch
the test will be when dinny rolls around, but I cant see that its going to be an issue
I got to give that a try. I have bags of Hickory saw dust.
Quote from: lumpy on July 27, 2009, 11:05:51 AM
I'm not being a smart ass but how much time and money did this cost.
.18 cents a puck...........for me its not worth it.
Lumpy
the clamps I had, they can be reused. The hickory i had. I have a tree in my yard.
I did not add in the price of the water or the flour, or the price of the gas and 2 cycle oil for the chainsaw, or the money it cost to run a stove for 2 hrs though, oh yea and the cost of the cooking spray...and maybe the property tax on the land that the tree is growing on ;)
abnd my labor is cheap since I am laid off...
if i do 48 of them at once its not going to be that much lol
You got any pics of them. Or them in action in the smoker.
Lumpy, hobbies are expensive. there all geared to keep your head on straight not your pocket book.
I can go take a pic right now...
Quote from: Roadking on July 27, 2009, 11:24:15 AM
That just blew that little idea out of the water. Might as well just throw the saw dust on the floor to catch the mud I track into the house. I might as well get rid of my smokers and grills and just buy the ribs from the store and eat them raw.
Now what the heck am I going to do with all this free time while I'm retired. At least I just saved 18 cents!
whats this 18 cents bit?
how many do you have to buy and what is your final cost (total price including shipping if you pay that) for them?
Quote from: buttburner on July 27, 2009, 11:25:55 AM
Quote from: Roadking on July 27, 2009, 11:24:15 AM
That just blew that little idea out of the water. Might as well just throw the saw dust on the floor to catch the mud I track into the house. I might as well get rid of my smokers and grills and just buy the ribs from the store and eat them raw.
Now what the heck am I going to do with all this free time while I'm retired. At least I just saved 18 cents!
whats this 18 cents bit?
how many do you have to buy and what is your final cost for them?
Lumpy brought it up. I'd love to find biskettes for .18
Buttburner, did you ever try cornstarch? I think it would burn a little cleaner, Think I'll give that a try.
Sorry..........I meant to say 28 cents
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000FJXEIQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance#productPromotions
I know what you mean about having all the time in the world.........I'm retired myself. So in a way I do understand.
Did'nt mean to *iss anyone off.
Lumpy
Quote from: lumpy on July 27, 2009, 11:39:18 AM
Sorry..........I meant to say 28 cents
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000FJXEIQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance#productPromotions
I know what you mean about having all the time in the world.........I'm retired myself. So in a way I do understand.
Did'nt mean to *iss anyone off.
Lumpy
ok fair enough. The way I look at it, I can make 48 of them in about 30 minutes but I have not timed it... (minus oven time)
so take that $17.99 and times it by 2 and I will be at over $35/hr
tha buys a lot of pork butt when you aint got a job!!
I aint sayin everyone should do this, juxst spreading the info is all
Quote from: Roadking on July 27, 2009, 11:37:16 AM
Buttburner, did you ever try cornstarch? I think it would burn a little cleaner, Think I'll give that a try.
no, but I did think about it...
will probably try next batch to compare
Quote from: lumpy on July 27, 2009, 11:39:18 AM
Sorry..........I meant to say 28 cents
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000FJXEIQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance#productPromotions
I know what you mean about having all the time in the world.........I'm retired myself. So in a way I do understand.
Did'nt mean to *iss anyone off.
Lumpy
You know Lumpy it's so hard to say something to someone on a forum. Especially when the person can't see you and read your facial expressions. You kid with someone and they get offended.
I hear ya Road King
When I try to say something funny, I'm laughing to myself while I type. When the other person reads, he might be saying "what an ***hole" to himself.
So it is hard to express yourself in words at times. I tend to use alot of smilies so the reader understands.
;)
Lump
Quote from: lumpy on July 27, 2009, 12:05:26 PM
I hear ya Road King
When I try to say something funny, I'm laughing to myself while I type. When the other person reads, he might be saying "what an ***hole" to himself.
So it is hard to express yourself in words at times. I tend to use alot of smilies so the reader understands.
;)
Lump
Im sorry I did not know you were kidding. I know what you mean by forums, I am a moderator on a very large fishing site so I should know better
Kind of like this. So where are the pics you promised? ;D ;D ;D
Stl workin on it trying to figure out what the kid did with the dang card reader
>:( boy that make me mad when my kids start playing with my camera. Even worse is when i misplace my digital camera card adaptor and i can download pics to laptop. ;D I'll check back. thanks.
Quote from: Roadking on July 27, 2009, 11:37:16 AM
Buttburner, did you ever try cornstarch? I think it would burn a little cleaner, Think I'll give that a try.
Repost, oh yeah wrong word. Think they say BUMP ;D
I will post some pics tomorrow. The family loved the chops!
I tried using cornstatch in a few just now, it did not stick together as well. Either I did not use enough, or it just doesnt work as well.
Also, its important to use sawdust, not those small chips they sell. You cant compact those tight enough to get them to hold together well.
One other issue I found is that the puck must shrink a little, if I put 3 of them in a row, the last one does not push the burnt one all the way off into the water pan. I am going to try increasing the diameter some, but if I alternate between a homemade one and real one it seem to work fine that way. But these did burn all the way, these are the ones I compressed harder than my first batch.
So even if thats how I end up doing it, it will still cut my consumption of store bought ones in half.
Quote from: buttburner on July 27, 2009, 05:05:10 PM
I will post some pics tomorrow. The family loved the chops!
I tried using cornstatch in a few just now, it did not stick together as well. Either I did not use enough, or it just doesnt work as well.
Also, its important to use sawdust, not those small chips they sell. You cant compact those tight enough to get them to hold together well.
One other issue I found is that the puck must shrink a little, if I put 3 of them in a row, the last one does not push the burnt one all the way off into the water pan. I am going to try increasing the diameter some, but if I alternate between a homemade one and real one it seem to work fine that way. But these did burn all the way, these are the ones I compressed harder than my first batch.
So even if thats how I end up doing it, it will still cut my consumption of store bought ones in half.
If you use the cornstarch, you must mix it on a stove with heat so it turns to a glue consistency. Then add the saw dust. I'm going to give it a go in a few days.
Hey guys, if you have a sawmill in your area, they can be a very good source for sawdust. My brother get's his for a gas burning smoker that way. It would be cleaner to because of no oil off the bar. Just a suggestion. ;D
I thought about making my own pucks some time ago, popped another beer and the thought passed. Can't even keep up on stuff I wanna try, so not much time for puck building! Hat's off to ya if you can meke it worth your time and effort!
Quote from: HawkeyeSmokes on July 27, 2009, 05:43:38 PM
Hey guys, if you have a sawmill in your area, they can be a very good source for sawdust. My brother get's his for a gas burning smoker that way. It would be cleaner to because of no oil off the bar. Just a suggestion. ;D
Just don't get the sawdust from the pine they just cut. :-X
Quote from: HawkeyeSmokes on July 27, 2009, 05:43:38 PM
Hey guys, if you have a sawmill in your area, they can be a very good source for sawdust. My brother get's his for a gas burning smoker that way. It would be cleaner to because of no oil off the bar. Just a suggestion. ;D
No sawmills by me. I have thought about the oil off the bar, so I use my tablesaw now to get the dust.
as far as heating up the cornstarch, I would think heating the pucks in the oven would serve the same purpose, I dunno. All I know for sure is that the flour works, so I am gonig to stick with that for now. The flour/water mix is very easy to work with it, its not thick so it doesnt get messy
Im a real tinkerer...I used to make my own fishing weights, that turned into an online buisness that keeps me very busy now
Quote from: buttburner on July 28, 2009, 03:09:25 AM
Im a real tinkerer...I used to make my own fishing weights, that turned into an online buisness that keeps me very busy now
Sounds like if you get your mixture dialed in right, this could turn into another online business to keep you even busier...
Butt's Bisquettes
Quote from: squirtthecat on July 28, 2009, 04:55:03 AM
Quote from: buttburner on July 28, 2009, 03:09:25 AM
Im a real tinkerer...I used to make my own fishing weights, that turned into an online buisness that keeps me very busy now
Sounds like if you get your mixture dialed in right, this could turn into another online business to keep you even busier...
Butt's Bisquettes
oh no, thats all I need lol
actually making these reminds me of baking cookies. But a lot less work.
PICS? ;D
use your imagination
think of a burning puck
thats about it lol
will get pics up soon
The one of it burning did not turn out so this is all I have for now
the lighter one is the real thing
(http://i731.photobucket.com/albums/ww316/bottombouncers/100_1723.jpg)
Quote from: buttburner on July 27, 2009, 05:05:10 PM
I will post some pics tomorrow. The family loved the chops!
I tried using cornstatch in a few just now, it did not stick together as well. Either I did not use enough, or it just doesnt work as well.
Also, its important to use sawdust, not those small chips they sell. You cant compact those tight enough to get them to hold together well.
One other issue I found is that the puck must shrink a little, if I put 3 of them in a row, the last one does not push the burnt one all the way off into the water pan. I am going to try increasing the diameter some, but if I alternate between a homemade one and real one it seem to work fine that way. But these did burn all the way, these are the ones I compressed harder than my first batch.
So even if thats how I end up doing it, it will still cut my consumption of store bought ones in half.
Sounds like you need a small pneumatically operated press. If you have a compressor and a way to make a small C-frame you can get a lot of force out of a pneumatic cylinder. In fact I know a guy that could help you out if you want one ;D
Alright, finally the pics arrive. ;D
Quote from: smokeitall on July 28, 2009, 04:36:18 PM
Quote from: buttburner on July 27, 2009, 05:05:10 PM
I will post some pics tomorrow. The family loved the chops!
I tried using cornstatch in a few just now, it did not stick together as well. Either I did not use enough, or it just doesnt work as well.
Also, its important to use sawdust, not those small chips they sell. You cant compact those tight enough to get them to hold together well.
One other issue I found is that the puck must shrink a little, if I put 3 of them in a row, the last one does not push the burnt one all the way off into the water pan. I am going to try increasing the diameter some, but if I alternate between a homemade one and real one it seem to work fine that way. But these did burn all the way, these are the ones I compressed harder than my first batch.
So even if thats how I end up doing it, it will still cut my consumption of store bought ones in half.
Sounds like you need a small pneumatically operated press. If you have a compressor and a way to make a small C-frame you can get a lot of force out of a pneumatic cylinder. In fact I know a guy that could help you out if you want one ;D
No, no press is needed. the key is to have the right size wood chips. they burn fine now. I just made a batch out of cherry
Nice job Buttburner, They look great! ;)
Very creative too!
Mike
thanks MIke
Are you on Walleye Central by chance?
Quote from: buttburner on July 29, 2009, 08:08:16 AM
thanks MIke
Are you on Walleye Central by chance?
I am from time to time but I haven't been on for a while. Just to darn busy... You know how work gets in the way of all the important things! :D
Mike
I thought so
I am a moderator there
going incognito here though
;)
I go by "Mike M (Sask)" when I am kicking around there.
Mike
I thought so...that pic looks real familiar!!!
I also have the formula for the pucks down now. I am down to 1 tsp flour to a cup of water instead of what I was using.
And I have the sawdust right also
So how much sawdust to 1 tsp flour and a cup of water? Just curious.. i don't have the time or need for another project so I will not be making these but if I can't find a flavor I want or Bradley doesn't make I may give it a try. Thanks
what I do is use a blend of sawdust and chips, both made with my tablesaw and dado blade.
I put the water and flour in a bowl then mix some wood in, but not all of the wood. Do a little bit at a time. Dip it out. squeeze it out a bit and put it in the hose clamp. Just make sure the wood is soaked, thats the idea.
Pack more in, as much as it takes to fill the hose clamp.
then repeat until you run out of water or chips or clamps lol
I figured at the rate I did it, that there is about 1/16th or less of a teaspoon of flour in each puck by the time all is said and done
its goes real quick once you do it a few times
In the UK, bisquettes work out at about £40 for a 120 box which doesn't last long so I started making my own. I didn't fancy using flour as a binder as starch smoke is normally bitter and I recall that Bradleys used to say they used collagen. I dissolve normal kitchen gelatine(processed collagen) in hot water, mix with it oak shavings and dust, compress it with a 2 1/4 dia. mould and then set them in batches in the fridge before drying them in the oven. I use non-stick steel baking sheets and an old brick to keep them compressed in the fridge and oven. I can make about 60/hr but am getting faster with practice. Only downside is that I struggle to get enough compression/density so I end up needing to make them about 19-20mm thick to get enough material into them so they smoulder for the full 20minutes.
W E L C O M E to the Forum johnS!
That is an interesting process.