Pucks not burning consistantly

[dclass]

Hi, not sure if this is "normal". I just did my first smoke and after the pucks dropped, I kept them in the order they came out from left to right in the picture. Some burnt all the way through, others not so much. Seems strange as they should all be on the burner about the same amount of time (20 min I think)..

Dan

hmmmmmmmmmm not sure how to insert pic.... that will follow  :)

[KevinG]

Here's a link to get your pics up.

http://www.susanminor.org/forums/showpost.php?p=768&postcount=11

I'll refrain from any comments on the puck burning until you get them up, but suspect it's normal at this point.

[Quarlow]

Dclass the first thing you want to look at is your pwer supply. If you are plugging in to an outlet that has other things on the same circuit then you need to plug the other stuff. Second is are you using an extension cord, if you are is it a good heavy cord or a light one. You should use at least a 14 ga but preferably a 12ga cord and you want it as short as possible. I made my own out of 12ga cord and it is only 15' long. I also have to plug my computer in to and extension cord to another plug in in the house when I want to use the smoker. Try this out and see if it helps. Also the pucks will not burn up to ash either, they will still be in their whole shape just smaller and black. If you break it in half it should be black all the way through. Make sure you preheat the burner before you load your pucks so that it is good and hot. I like to turn it on as soon as I turn the tower on so it helps to prehaet the tower and gets good and hot.

[Habanero Smoker]

Here are some causes for partially burned bisquettes.

Briquettes do not burn completely.

[dclass]

Thanks for the tip on posting... hopefully its not too large...

Here are the pucks, in order L to R

[dclass]

Thanks Quarlow, nope, no extension. Its plugged directly to an exterior receptacle on my deck. Nothing else sharing the line.

[Quarlow]

Yeah you should be getting a better burn out of it. Like habs says check out the link and see if anything helps.

[dclass]

One more thing I should add. This smoker is on my enclosed deck, out of the wind. However, I live in Alberta and the day I did this smoke, it was a cold smoke cheese and jalapeno. No heat, just the smoke generator. The outside temp was -27c. Not sure if this will have an effect or not.

[Tiny Tim]

Could be some of it, but #3 and #4 look to be swelled a bit, possibly from moisture which would inhibit burning...was the package completely sealed before loading the pucks into the generator stack?

[Habanero Smoker]

Many have reported, and I'm beginning to notice it also. When cold smoking (especially in colder weather); without the assistance of the heating element, the bisquettes do not burn as well. I've also notice that the bisquettes that are more compressed such as the Jim Beam, do not always burn completely.

[Quarlow]

OK you never said you were cold smoking. I don't get a complete burn out of them when cold smoking either. As long as you get lots of smoke you are fine. I should have asked that I guess.

[dclass]

I'm not going to sweat it. It was my first time. I am doing a salmon tonight with heat, see how that goes. Today its only -15c hahaha. AND, I'll try to keep my nose outta there! I probably opened the door 30 times to see whats happening! Newbie mistake :)

[dclass]

Just did the Salmon... with heat and smoke. Turned out absolutely fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!! The lesson is in - 27 weather, dont expect the BS to work at peak performance.

[Quarlow]

Have you got a couple of bricks in there yet?

[dclass]

LOL