Swelling Pucks

lcaron · April 07, 2008, 02:08:18 PM

I noticed when I get around 3 hours of smoking the pucks are swelling and crumbling apart
I keep them in a dry place so its not from improper storage. has anyone else had a similar experience?
I am keeping the water bowl below 1/2 full also.

Thanks
Larry

Habanero Smoker · April 07, 2008, 02:22:54 PM

Do you mean they start to fall apart while they are in the feeding tube?

If that is the case, you may not have your vent open wide enough. Make sure your vent is open wide enough so that no smoke and moisture backs up into the generator.

iceman · April 07, 2008, 03:19:48 PM

Quote from: Habanero Smoker on April 07, 2008, 02:22:54 PM
Do you mean they start to fall apart while they are in the feeding tube?

If that is the case, you may not have your vent open wide enough. Make sure your vent is open wide enough so that no smoke and moisture backs up into the generator.

Especially if your tower is loaded with a turkey or chickens. Lots of moisture there. Or if your around LA. like my brother with 90 percent humidity that doesn't help matters either. :o ;D

West Coast Kansan · April 07, 2008, 09:04:57 PM

Smoke in the generator with moisture from the tower is NOT a good thing. When setting the vent watch for any sign of smoke escaping between the generator and the tower. No smoke and just a tad more open seems to work real well. ;)

lcaron · April 08, 2008, 06:22:55 PM

Thanks
I have noticed smoke escaping near the generator
I usually keep the vent 1/2 open

We really enjoy the smokey flavor.
maybe I should just smoke a little longer and keep the vent open full

Thanks again guys

Larry

West Coast Kansan · April 08, 2008, 07:46:46 PM

that is an idea but i really dont think you will need to smoke longer. you will have plenty of smoke with the vent open. the nice thing about the vent is more help regulating heat it seems to me. the sg give a lot of smoke.

Habanero Smoker · April 09, 2008, 01:56:49 AM

Quote from: lcaron on April 08, 2008, 06:22:55 PM
Thanks
I have noticed smoke escaping near the generator
I usually keep the vent 1/2 open

We really enjoy the smokey flavor.
maybe I should just smoke a little longer and keep the vent open full

Thanks again guys

Larry

I'm curious as to what can be blocking your air flow. Usually 1/4 open is more then enough to prevent the smoke and moisture from backing up into the generator.

West Coast Kansan · April 09, 2008, 09:29:11 PM

Maybe it is a digital thing HabS ??? I have had the same issue at 1/2 open depending on temperature / wind / whatever ???

lcaron · April 10, 2008, 06:17:14 PM

I will let you guys know after the weekend when I use it again.
not quite sure what to make. open to suggestions!

Habanero Smoker · April 11, 2008, 01:59:49 AM

As WCK stated, with the digital you may have to keep the vent at least half open, but open wide enough to prevent smoke and moisture backup. The only other suggestion I have is too make sure there is enough clearance space by the air slots on the generator so that the air flow is not blocked.

lcaron · April 13, 2008, 02:45:05 PM

Thanks everyone

Problem solved
did some ribs this weekend and a pork butt with the vent 3/4 open and didnt seem to have any
problems with the pucks this weekend. I never had that problem with my old bradley, I could keep the vent just barely open and smoke for hours? wonder whats different.

next weekend its brisket time!