My husband just got a cs150/160smartsmoker-oven. I have been elected to play with it since he doesn't have the time. The only book I think that came with this is the owners manual. My questions...how much wood for what you're doing (manual says no more than 16 oz when at capacity), can I open the door when ever I want/or need to, Do I add wood if I'm doing a butt, timing on the average is about the same as when I use a wood smoker outside? I have been bbqing for a along time but never used an electric smoker. We put on a chili, rib and wing cook-off every memorial day for the last 7 years, so I really amnot a novice. I just need some help on the basics then hopefully we can start making money....Yeh!

Julie

Julie.. there is a TON of good practical advice here on the forum.. it really beats the book that came with the "shack".

BTW, Welcome to the group of happy owners.

Bill (in Northern CA)

true... just start browsing and reading. some quick answers: just use a few chunks of wood... very little... start with 4-6 oz and see what you think. don't add wood during the cook... try not to open the door... use a remote probe to check meat temps and open when done.

Good tips above.

The 160 will recover heat a little faster,after opening the door,than some of the smaller models.

I'd use your past judgements on temps and times,rather than the presets.

It will cook more moist than most of the woodburners,so you probably won't do much spraying or mopping.

If you get butts above about 8 lbs,you might decide to mop once,well into the cook.

Welcome aboard, Julie. You'll love it here in Cookshack land.


There's more stored knowledge about barbecueing on this forum than anywhere else on the web. These guys and gals know Q and they really know the Cookshack.

Check out the post at the top of the Open Forum on "Lessons for new users." It's got lots of suggestions to help you avoid the mistakes that most of us made getting started. It has answers to your questions about door opening, how much wood, etc. And don't forget the forum's "Search" function. It's a good way to find additional info. Most questions have been asked and answered somewhere in the past.

LOL

Hook