Pucks not burning completely

[12AMNSX]

I've had my OBS for about 1 1 /2 years now and have just recently noticed that my pucks are no longer burning all the way through.  The used pucks in the pan used to look black all the way through, but now they appear to have about 1/4 to 1/3 of the wood not burned at all.  Is there something wrong with the timer in the smoke generator?  Is there an adjustment that can be made?

[3rensho]

I've noticed the same problem but not consistently.  Have no idea about the cause.  I keep the puck burner clean but that does not seem to help. 

Tom

[Toker]

Hello, you could start by checking on the burner of your smoke generator to see if there is a kind of residue and if yes try to removing it or preheat it a bit longer that's what i did and it worked for me.

[NePaSmoKer]

Sometimes caused by excess moisture in the pucks, having your vent closed to far.

nepas

[OU812]

I've seen that the harder woods ( Hickory, Oak) dont burn as fast as the softer woods (Pecon, Apple)

[canadiansmoker]

Sometimes caused by excess moisture in the pucks, having your vent closed to far.

nepas

I have found that excess moisture on a few of the pucks can cause this as well.

[Gizmo]

I have seen the set temperature of the cabinet have an effect on how through the pucks burn.  Since the puck burner is set low enough make the wood smolder instead of flame and the cabinet temperature aids in that process, colder cabinet temperatures seem to leave more of the pucks unburned.  I have especially noticed this when cold smoking compared to hot smoking.  The hardness and moisture of the wood, as mentioned, has an effect as well.  I preheat for a minimum of 30 minutes (cabinet temperature to 260 deg) with the puck burner on.

[Smokin Soon]

I'm with giz on that one, I get the meat on the counter when I fire up the smoker but not the smoke gen. 30 minutes later the smoke gen goes on. I have the water bowl full from the beginning. Get the smoke rollin and make it happen. The bisquettes seem to fire off better in a cabinet that's up to temp.

[Gizmo]

SS, you might have misread my post.  I have the smoke gen and oven heater on right from the start. 

[Smokin Soon]

Giz, did you mean puck burner on with no pucks?

[Gizmo]

Absolutly yes, no pucks during the preheat, although I have been known to leave a bubba on the burner from the previous smoke.  When that happens, I always have to remember that they will be hot and cannot be picked up by bare fingers.   :o

[NePaSmoKer]

Absolutly yes, no pucks during the preheat, although I have been known to leave a bubba on the burner from the previous smoke.  When that happens, I always have to remember that they will be hot and cannot be picked up by bare fingers.   :o

Yeah that kinda hurts huh Giz, I have done that too  :D

nepas

[deb415611]

Absolutly yes, no pucks during the preheat, although I have been known to leave a bubba on the burner from the previous smoke.  When that happens, I always have to remember that they will be hot and cannot be picked up by bare fingers.   :o

Yeah that kinda hurts huh Giz, I have done that too  :D

nepas

I see I'm in good company :D

[IKnowWood]

Done that also, but only once (so far).  Now my pre-heat routine is turn switches on, load water, unload pucks.  The slight heat reminds me if the puck burner is on or not. 

As for a puck during re-heat.  I will load one on the burner as a pre-smoke waste, as typically the first 5 to 10 minutes of the 20 minute cycle usually gives no smoke, or if any, its not significantly enough.  I have however puck one on for 40 minutes, and that worked.  But that would mean more for-thought than I usually have when getting setup.

[3rensho]

Yeah that kinda hurts huh Giz, I have done that too

Done that too.  It does kinda smart.