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More Smoke From a Pellet Smoker

Discussion in 'Food Talk' started by JMB, Dec 4, 2019.

  1. Dec 4, 2019 at 4:02 PM
    #1
    JMB

    JMB [OP] Not new, just a little old.

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    So I got a Pit Boss Series 4 vertical pellet smoker. It's the Lowes version of the Copperhead.
    https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pit-Boss-Pro-Series-4-Vertical-Wood-Pellet-Smoker/1000601259

    I had to replace the control panel, one of the connectors had a loose pin, Pit Boss customer service is great, 7 days a week, long hours. After originally sending a new temp sensor that didn't fix the problem, they sent a new temp sensor and control panel.

    Thanksgiving was my first cook on it. A deconstructed 22.6 pound turkey. Temperature control was great, even with pretty high winds and upper 40s.

    After that long intro, here's my question. I thought the smoke flavor was too mild. I used Pit Boss competition blend pellets. I've seen smoke tubes or trays. Have any of you used them? Results? Recommended brands or styles?
     
    Rica25 likes this.
  2. Dec 4, 2019 at 4:06 PM
    #2
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADIN',RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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  3. Dec 4, 2019 at 6:26 PM
    #3
    silverhack

    silverhack New Member

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    TRDFerguson and JMB[OP] like this.
  4. Dec 4, 2019 at 6:46 PM
    #4
    JMB

    JMB [OP] Not new, just a little old.

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  5. Dec 4, 2019 at 8:20 PM
    #5
    silverhack

    silverhack New Member

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    It sort of depends on what I’m smoke and how long. If it’s something large and takes a while to smoke, it’s fine. If it’s something smaller and doesn’t take as long then I use the tube if I want it with more smoke flavor. I don’t really use the tube much any more.
     
  6. Dec 4, 2019 at 8:31 PM
    #6
    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    I've had pretty good luck using Traeger pellets, mostly stuck with them because they're pretty cheap at Home Depot if you buy 4 bags. The flavor is solid, though I feel like the fire box design on my Louisiana grill is a little different than GMG/Traeger/Pit Boss/etc and helps get some extra smoke in there.
     
    silverhack likes this.
  7. Dec 4, 2019 at 8:36 PM
    #7
    silverhack

    silverhack New Member

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    I’m also using a Louisiana Grill pellet smoker and I really like the design of the firebox. Especially with how well the auger is offset and protected from the flame to prevent any back-burning and ignition of the entire pellet hopper.

    overall I’m fairly happy with the grill but I have had some problems maintaining the correct temperature. I only paid $300 for mine so I’m not too angry about it.
     
    TRDFerguson[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Dec 4, 2019 at 8:47 PM
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    TRDFerguson

    TRDFerguson SSEM #99/RGBA #8-ish?/It’s a funny name.

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    My wife hooked me up with one of the larger versions and it seems to keep temp very well. The preheat cycle sucks that it goes 75 degrees over temp and then have to wait for it to back down. I wonder if yours is trying to chase the temp over and over?
     
  9. Dec 4, 2019 at 9:07 PM
    #9
    cmack

    cmack New Member

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    I have a smoke tube I got on Amazon. I have an older traeger, but I use mine for longer smokes or for meats that could use the extra smoke while controlling temp better than just using “smoke mode”. They will burn for a few hours. Highly recommend though...
     
    JMB[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  10. Dec 4, 2019 at 11:45 PM
    #10
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    LOL sorry I missed this.

    I have very little experience with the pellet smokers, so unfortunately I cannot answer the question at hand.
     
  11. Dec 5, 2019 at 4:11 AM
    #11
    PermaFrostTRD

    PermaFrostTRD Tumescent Member

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    The best “mod” you can do (for any smoker really) other than making sure it’s sealed properly is drop your exhaust tube down to the grate level. That forces smoke to completely fill the cooking chamber (and cover your meat) before it leaves the exhaust.

    Next, try switching from a competition pellet (it’s a mild blend) to a single wood pellet.
    Apple/cherry (or any fruit wood)-> mesquite->hickory. Increasing in “smokiness” flavor from left to right. Single wood pellets tend to be more expensive so load them first and get your meat to 170°F (your meat isn’t gonna take any smoke “flavor” beyond that temp) then just use the competition blend to get to desired temp (you’re just using it like an oven at that point).

    though if you’re doing a bird or any other white meat i would avoid hickory (just my preference).
     
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  12. Dec 5, 2019 at 4:18 AM
    #12
    DvilleMafia

    DvilleMafia New Member

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    Try some pecan pellets or mesquite, I also liked the cherry. On my Traeger I cranked the lid on exhaust tube all the way down to where it’s barely open and I smoke at 180, not the smoke setting. I was told by Traeger the smoke setting is really just for startup, which is why you’ll see it fluctuate on temp a lot.
     
  13. Dec 5, 2019 at 4:23 PM
    #13
    JMB

    JMB [OP] Not new, just a little old.

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    Thanks all for the good information. The smoke setting on this one ranges from 128 to 158, plenty of smoke but it does appear to be mainly for starting. I've got about 20 pounds of pellets in the hopper. I think I'll do some ribs with what I have and see how it goes. They turkey pieces only took 1.5 to 2 hours. If I don't like the amount of smoke on the ribs, go to hickory for the next thing. Smoke tube as last resort. Although the reviews for the tube as a cold smoker are pretty good.
     
  14. Dec 5, 2019 at 4:25 PM
    #14
    DvilleMafia

    DvilleMafia New Member

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    Good deal, I started out with hickory because Traeger said it was pretty middle of the pack as far as smoke and good for everything. My wife and i didn’t think it was quite Smokey enough, Since then I use pretty much pecan exclusively
     
    JMB[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  15. Dec 5, 2019 at 6:03 PM
    #15
    JMB

    JMB [OP] Not new, just a little old.

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    Hickory is pretty much my go to before now. Pit Boss said the competition blend is the most versatile. First time with a pellet smoker, so definitely some experimenting to do. What brand pecan?
     
  16. Dec 5, 2019 at 6:09 PM
    #16
    Sas

    Sas Humor is everywhere

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    RecTec for the pellets and the smoker and tube. Can't go wrong. I have a turkey pic floating around here somewhere that I cooked in it.
     
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  17. Dec 5, 2019 at 6:11 PM
    #17
    DvilleMafia

    DvilleMafia New Member

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    I have Traeger pellets right now but only because I needed some quick. Usually I goto Academy sports (forgot to check where you’re located) and get the B&B pellets for half the cost.

    also that Traeger “gourmet” blend was pretty good from Costco. It’s maple hickory and cherry. But when you roll into academy and they’re doing a 2 for $15 deal you can’t beat that. I haven’t noticed any issue with how well they smoke either.
     
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  18. Dec 5, 2019 at 6:12 PM
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    DvilleMafia

    DvilleMafia New Member

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