Ashy smelling smoke from my OBS

dribron · May 10, 2010, 01:03:19 PM

Today I pickedup my new OBS put her all together and cured her. Everything seems to work just fine. I did notice one thing. The smoke doesnt smell like what I am use to. In fact it smells much like a dirty ask tray. I used messy wood.. Could they have somehow gone bad?

Habanero Smoker · May 10, 2010, 01:06:20 PM

When you are seasoning it, you are burning off manufacturing residue. That is probably what you are smelling.

dribron · May 10, 2010, 01:10:01 PM

Well yeah that is true, I have just never smelled anything like that before from any other smoker that I have cured... I'm just wondering now what I should risk smoking. I mean I dont want to put a 10.00 pice of meat in there and have it come out like that. Then again, it is most likley nothing.

KyNola · May 10, 2010, 01:15:34 PM

As your OBS gets some smoke projects done, the smell will change but I never found the Bradley smoke to smell like what I was accustomed to smelling with other smokers. Remember, the smoke from your OBS is a much purer, cleaner intense smoke. That's why 4 hours max is plenty compared to other types of smokers.

Don't panic. Give it and you some time to settle in.

FLBentRider · May 10, 2010, 01:17:24 PM

Quote from: dribron on May 10, 2010, 01:10:01 PM
Well yeah that is true, I have just never smelled anything like that before from any other smoker that I have cured... I'm just wondering now what I should risk smoking. I mean I dont want to put a 10.00 pice of meat in there and have it come out like that. Then again, it is most likley nothing.

I would run a few more pucks in it after the seasoning and see if the smell changes.

dribron · May 10, 2010, 01:19:28 PM

Sure I'll see how it goes. You know I did read about how much more inteanse the smoke is. How much less smoke time should I give something in conparison to regualr wood? For example should I cut the amount I might use now down by half?

dribron · May 10, 2010, 01:21:18 PM

Yeah, maybe I'll run another hours worth before my first smoke. I was thinking about smoking something tomarow if I have time... If not by the weekend for sure.

mow_delon · May 10, 2010, 01:22:45 PM

I never noticed anything close to "ashtray" smelling smoke coming from my smoker and I use homemade ash pucks. Reminds me of a wood burning stove or fireplace smell. I also am not familiar with "messy wood". Could you enlighten me?

FLBentRider · May 10, 2010, 01:26:27 PM

Quote from: mow_delon on May 10, 2010, 01:22:45 PM
I also am not familiar with "messy wood". Could you enlighten me?

Mesquite

dribron · May 10, 2010, 01:28:07 PM

mesquite wood...

KyNola · May 10, 2010, 01:33:15 PM

Here are a few examples for me at least. Butts, 4 hours max. Poultry 2-3 hours. Briskets 4 hours. The rest of the time is just spent cooking.

The smoke is quite intense. Plus, you're burning mesquite. If you don't think so, let that box fill up with smoke and then open the door to take something out and see if your eyes don't tell you that it is strong. :D Your eyes are definitely going to start watering.

Just a different method of smoking. Once you get used to it, you'll like it.

How wide you got your vent open? Open it to at least half way.

dribron · May 10, 2010, 01:48:02 PM

I had the vent halfway open. I guess my first smoke will be the first true test... I do think it is nicley built. Hopfully it will last several years.

TTNuge · May 10, 2010, 02:16:34 PM

We'll discuss the true cost of that Cabela's discount code once you get some goodies smokin'!!! ;D

dribron · May 10, 2010, 02:18:16 PM

lol.. Sounds good. We'll have to have a MN bradley smokeout.

classicrockgriller · May 10, 2010, 02:19:42 PM

My vent hardly ever gets closed lower than 3/4 and most the time wide open.

What you want to watch out for is smoke coming out by your smoke generator.

If you see that, open vent some more.