Startling moment

I think you're the first one.

the "big bang" is not new, do a search on bang.

It's normal, has a lot to do with the tightness of the unit and the wood.

Flames will happen sometimes when the wood is at a certain point in the burn, you open the door and the new oxygen feeds the flames.

Smokin,

Thanks. Sounds like it is a bit normal. Maybe next time it won't be so alarming.

Perhaps I was a bit sensitive as my previous (much lesser brand) smoker caught fire and resulted in a conflagration and some very overdone salmon. Plus I don't think the powder from the fire extinguisher was ever meant to be a dry rub.

I experienced the 'Big Bang' tonight for the first time.

I was taking pictures of the smoke rolling out of the vents on my Amerique. I turned around to take a pic of the dog spazzing out when it happened.

Reminded me of a potato gun failure I was involved in one time lots of smoke and wondering what the heck just happened.

After the smoke cleared I got to thinking how embarrassing it would be if the neighbors saw it and called the Fire Deptartment since I am a volunteer......

But after a quick search of the forums I was able to convince my wife it was "normal".

I have experienced it three times in my 009 with the last one about 3 weeks ago. My wife and I heard it inside with all the windows closed 30 mins after I put in a butt. I did open the door just to make sure everything was ok

I guess I've lucky or at least "Sonic Boom" free. Have my 008 for about 10 years now and still have not experienced the thrill of things going BOOM.

That being said the next smoke will probably blow the doow off LOL.

Were you using wood chips or wood chunks? I had the same problem with chips but never with chunks. If you need to use chips wrap them in tin foil then punch some small holes in the foil. This should help.

I had it happen a several times since I got my 009. I figured it had something to do with the amount of wood being used but not sure what was happening. The first time it happened I got all excited and didn't know what to expect when I opened the door. The big bang has happened several times since then and I don't think anything of it now.


Mac

From an old thread:

The big bang

quote:

Originally posted by Smokenque:
There was a good description of a "bang" by a fireman on either this forum or one of the others I've signed up for.

It might have to do with partially burned fuel that is in the atmosphere of the smoker. This, as I understand, is early on in the smoke.

The inside of the smoker is controlled in how much oxygen is allowed inside, creating a lot of smoke rather than fire. I've had this inadvertently happen when I opened the box early on, like about the 30 minutes that jimbie mentioned. That inrush of oxygen, reacting with the rich smoke caused the wood to ignite and created mini fireball. I only cracked the door and after the flash, boom.. the door was sucked closed.

While I don't know the technicalities of it.. there can be a mini explosion that you might not hear when grease or smoke ignites causing a big puff. When that is finished, fresh oxygen filled air is pulled in the holes to replace that air that expanded and blew out the holes and gaps around the door. That large amount of oxygen can cause a bigger bang or pop.

Most incidences I've heard about are usually in the early stages of a new smoker. After a bit of time, the smoke residue seals enough of the gaps to minimize the intrusion of air, other than was designed into the unit.

Well SmokinOkie, you got me thinking now. Not always the best thing for me to do, but anyway, here are a few of my rambling thoughts on the subject.

This morning I put 2 racks of ribs in the 009 and 1 chunk of wood (no bark). After 35 minutes I could smell a little of the smoke in the shop, which is normal since I left the door open to the garage where the smoker is. I went out to make sure the exhaust fan was drawing out the smoke and it was, as usual. While I was standing there looking right at the smoker it put on a show for me. There was a whooooosh and pop, and then a lot of smoke came out the top hole and around the door. After a few minutes the smoke was back to normal.

Now here are some details. The smoker was on for 35 minutes, it was 55 degrees in the garage and the ribs were right out of the fridg and cold. So the meat was not warm enough to produce grease. The hickory wood was some I had for 3 years so it was extremely dry.

I believe that what is happening is similar to what happens when burning coal in a stove. Gasses are released or produced as the wood starts to burn. The amount of gas varies depending on the type of wood and most of all the moisture content of it. I suspect the process starts at the bottom of the smoker where the fresh air comes in and mixes with the gasses, this gas/air mixture is the ideal environment for a mini explosion, which is ignited by the heating element.

Okay, I'm done, is anybody still with me?


Mac

No, actually.

I think, when we hear the big bang, is to realize that we're dealing with wood burning and it's not a design flaw or something broken.

As it's not something everyone experiences or really common, we just accept that it happens.

Smokin'

Now you know why they put those sturdy locking handles on the door! Roger