trouble with the pucks

[walkerhockey2004]

My bradley is only burning about one puck and not advancing any new ones like it's supposed to.   Also, sometimes the pucks start expanding and get stuck in the slot.  Am I doing something wrong?  Could it be related to the cold weather?

[Mr Walleye]

If the pucks are expanding I would almost think they got wet somehow. Especially if they are getting jammed in there. Are they too thick to go through?

Mike

[Smoking Duck]

Hey Walker,
Do you store your smoker outside?  If so, is it cold where you live?  If you anser yes to both, you need to store it in the garage where it won't freeze.  From my very limited knowledge, the puck advancer can freeze and you won't get any advancement.

Barring that, someone with more experience than I can probably help soon.

Good luck!

[walkerhockey2004]

i do live in minnesota so it is cold outside when i smoke it but i store the bradley in the garage but that is also pretty cold, i think the combination of heat and cold may be proding condensation that introduces moisture into the pucks.

[Mr Walleye]

That's definitely what it sounds like. You can store the tower in the garage but I would take the generator off and store it in the house along with your pucks. Some people use a plastic storage tub for their pucks and other smokin' stuff but I would still keep it in the house to stay away from the humidity issues.

Mike

Mike

[Smoking Duck]

I do keep all of my biquettes inside in a cool dark pantry where there is little variation in humidity.  I've never had a problem with the pucks and all of my smoking to date has been done in cold weather (not Minnesota cold, mind you, but cold and 40 mph winds with no problems).  I do make sure I warm up the tower a little longer than an hour as I feel the heat from the tower helps with warming up the smoke generator.

I may be off base there, but it helps me mentally to believe that and that makes a big difference!