So I've posted in the past about my 009 model tripping the GFCI often. I received suggestions, but never really did anything other plug into a normal outlet to which it worked. This past weekend I did the same bypass, but this time the unit never heated up. I called Cookshack and was told I needed a new heating element. I ordered and received today. To my surprise, I opened the box that included my 5lb bag of spicy chicken rub and the heating element was not protected by any wrapping and...Read More...

HI: We love our FEC100, but we've been having some challenges lately. On at least 3 of the last 10 occasions, our smoker comes up to temp and runs well for a few hours but then suddenly dies. On each occasion we've had to use the reset switch to get power back on but I've lost hours of time and it's becoming quite concerning as we don't have the staff to be watching it every 30 mins. Has anyone else had this issue? I am wondering if maybe there's a firmware update I need? ....and if so how...Read More...

I am interested in PB 500. I have had GM and recently sold my Yoder ys640 pellet smoker. On the PB 500 does the temps overshoot when coming back up after opening door or do they settle close down close to set temp? 2nd does the fans run continually or does it cycle on and off?Read More...

I have an SM025 that, after turned on and set temp. , display jumps erratically well above and also well below set temp. and does not heat correctly. Setting to fully high temp brings heat up, but display still erratic. Problem developed after cleaning and I suspect I may have damaged oven probe, even after being careful to not molest it. Any suggestions? I'd like to be relatively certain before purchasing something that will not remedy my problem. Thank you in advance.Read More...

I just bought a second hand Amerique to replace my Smokette, which unfortunately rusted out. The Amerique I bought was missing the temperature probe, drip pan and casters. I paid CS their outrageous price for a new probe. I was relieved to find out that the drip pan is a standard 1/2 size steam table pan, which I found for less than half the $32 that CS charges. I keep my smoker on a stainless steel table next to the grill, so I was not interested in replacing the casters and worrying about...Read More...

Can one add Butchers Phosphate TR to a rub? I do not want to inject this chemical, or use it in a brine ... I yes ... kindly estimate the correct time to allow the rub (with phosphate added to "sit" before smoking?Read More...

Hello- I am planning to purchase an electric smoker in the near future.. I have narrowed it down to a Cookshack Elite 45 or a Smokin It 2D. I want something large enough to smoke 5 to 7 racks of ribs without having to cut them in half. I will also be smoking brisket and pork butts. The Cookshack 025 would probably work for me but I didn’t want to get something to small and regret it later. Temperature where I live usually falls into the 20’s so it will need to be able to hold temperature...Read More...

We're getting lots of new members (and lurkers) so thought I was time for a "roll call". Tell us who you are? I'm Smokin' Okie, a non-paid straight man for the rest of the forum gang. Love the friends here at the forum! I've been smokin' for a REALLY long time, on most any smoker out there.Read More...

Hi there, two weeks ago I got my new to me SM008 and tried a back rib project. I did the 3-2-1 method, spent most of my day fooling around and in the end I wasn't overly pleased with the result. The advice I got on here was to just leave the ribs in the smoker, don't fool with it and it will turn out great. Today I got some side ribs on sale and decided to do a side rib smoker test. I rubbed then with a basic rub just before putting them in the smoker, dropped in a bit of hickory and let...Read More...

Hey All! Got a model 150 and need to replace the thermistor. It is from '97 and the color coding is not making it apparent as to what type of thermistor it is (type K, B ...) Any help would make my customers super happy! We have been mcGyvering it in our line oven in the meantime (coating our dining room with a lovely smell but less lovely soot) If anyone out there has an old 150, I may be interested in buying it if anyone wants to give one up. Thanks Smoker fanatics!Read More...

Been doing alot of winter cooking of briskets/butts and recently noticed that a good amont of smoke has been coming out of hopper and there is also condensation building up on the underside of the lid. The outside temps have been dipping down near 0degres at night and i been cooking around 250 all night. I have looked down exhaust tubes and both have a little flake buildup but no obstructions. Has anyone else encountered this when cooking at low outside temps or might there be another issueRead More...

Been using the Big Joe a lot recently, and the FEC was calling out this afternoon looking for some attention. My ribs always turn out better in the FEC anyhow... But, will there be enough rub for the ribs? Yes, yes there will. There's always an extra stash of Memphis Mud in the house. My favorite Rib Rub. Some trimmings for the chef too. And some Bourbon while we wait. If you can still find this, get some. Good Stuff. Finished off a bottle of Code 3 Spices Patriot Sauce. Thanks for looking.Read More...

I’ll be posting a blog about me fixing and cleaning up my sm150. Simple oven temp probe fix and cleaning. About 15 years of grease and gunk she has a new lease on life. But tomorrow I plan on doing a brisket, two pork butts, 4 racks of ribs, and possibly beef ribs. On my main smoker, a Myron mixon, is do it at 275 until done. I want to try doing it at 225 since I have the ability to with the cookshack Any suggestions on the maiden voyage?Read More...

I was recently on Maui and had some absolutely amazing spareribs from a roadside stand in Kihei that were advertised as "Huli Huli Ribs" They were marinated and cooked slowly, turning frequently, over a low fire on what looked to be charcoal or wood coals, although there was not a pronounced wood flavor. The ribs were amazingly tender and flavorful, but I have not found what seems to be an accurate way to reproduce them. The recipes I have found on line seem to all want a sweet sticky glaze...Read More...

Hey guys. Are the Zones from Left to right? 1 direct 2 next to direct? 3 upper? 4 far right? thanksRead More...

I recently got a Smokette 008 and going to try some beef jerky. I see GLH's method here and read a lot of Qdogg's method, but for the life of me, I cannot find it anywhere. All I get are a bunch of broken links and references to Qdogg's method, but nobody has it listed anywhere. I've been looking for it everywhere, read through dozens of posts here, etc. Can someone please just list Qdogg's method or post a link that works? I just want to compare both GLH's and Qdogg's methods before I give...Read More...

Hi guys, Its been bit since I’ve been on here...the forum looks totally different...is there a page for selling still....I got a FEC 100 looking to get rid of... Thanks BryanRead More...

So I was able to get a SM150 for $50. Could’ve got it for free as it was listed going to curb but I offered the sellers $50 to hold it for me and I picked it up after work 30 minutes ago. Manufactured in 2003. Control panel powers on but I didn’t attempt anything as it’s late and once I get started I won’t be able to stop. The seller said they believe something is wrong with the thermostat. Whats the best way to troubleshoot the unit to make sure I diagnose the problem correctly and any...Read More...

Considering first pellet grill purchase. Now leaning towards PG500 over MAK, largely due to price, but also due to more readily accessible direct grilling. Now came across FireCraft Q-450. Stainless steel with direct grilling available and significantly cheaper than PG500. Also has PID controller and built in probe port and can stop cook when meat reaches temp. PG500 lacks the meat temperature probe. Overall quality of PG500 appears superior and it is American made bs Chinese. Thoughts? By...Read More...

Thanks Chaplain Bill! Can't wait to pick it up. Looks delicious! You can get one too from Bacon Acres Farm!Read More...

have had 2 of these for 3 yrs have had to light with gel after 4 months as keeps tripping and burning out igniters bought so many and also had direct o& cookshack USA still dose same bought new motherboard at a cost of £589 pounds uk and it still dose same would no5 recoded these cookshack smokers to any one especially in uk as Americans bbq do not care as long as they get your money advice keep well away from cookshackRead More...

I smoked an 11.2 lb Prime packer yesterday and the results were very perplexing. See smoking methodology / details below. 11.2 lb Prime beef packer 3 oz (2 small chunks) hickory wood Total smoke time of 11 hours 40 minutes at 225F... details below Inserted into un-preheated smoker with fat side down at 225F at 11:30pm (was a bit too large for so I folded tip of the flat underneath) Inserted two temp probes into the thickest part of the flat about two inches apart from one-another, and a...Read More...

I'm new To BBQ grill, it was not common in third world country. recently shifter to USA. Friends are planning BBQ with me. That's why seeking help, do you people could help me in getting the best BBQ budget grill.Read More...

Hello all, I have some Moruga Trinidad Scorpion peppers going full blast on my plant. Has anyone dried / desicated them on your Smokette SM025 or similar?Read More...

I got the Weber pizza insert for my master touch as a present this past Christmas and tonight I finally got to use it. Being that this was my first time grilling pizza, I expected a complete failure but it turned out decent to be honest. Unfortunately I underestimated how difficult it is to transfer into the grill so I had a couple mishaps and also, I couldn't get my temps up as high as I wanted but that was just due to an inssuficient amount of charcoal.Read More...

Any hints for brine and smoking time and temp. for hind quarters. SM-160 thanks WallyRead More...

Question on using rib racks with my FEC100. I cooked 18 racks of ribs yesterday and for the first time tried rib racks that I've had for quite a while but had not tried yet. Set smoker to 260 and cooked for a long time without ever getting them as tender as I would have liked, over 8 hours. Anybody with experience using rib racks have any ideas? Is it because they are so tightly packed in there? Thanks in advance.Read More...

Anyone use Grill Grates on their direct side on the 1000 series?Read More...

Hi everyone, I'm week one into my SM008 ownership so took a day off work and tackled a brisket. I bought a 12 pound packer but due to smoker size decided to separate the flat and point and just cook the flat today. After a few youtube videos I decently butchered the brisket last night and set out on my brisket flat smoke today. This morning I applied a basic bbq rub, mostly course salt and pepper with garlic powder and paprika. I got the smoker going at 250 with a decent size piece of apple...Read More...

Hi everyone just wanted to introduce myself to the forum and give a little bit of info on my first Cookshack project. I live in Newfoundland, Canada which is basically an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean for those of you not familiar with it. I've been looking around for a smoker for a while now hoping to pick up something high quality and gently used. To be honest I never heard of the Cookshack brand until I saw a used SM008 pop up on our local Kijiji for sale ads two days ago.Read More...

I have a cooked beef brisket that has been frozen. Can I thaw thebrisket to proportionately divide it and then re-feeze itRead More...

i have the opportunity to purchase an older powder coated model. I believe it’s an 008. Are parts still available like controller, cover, etc? Any words of advice?Read More...

I've had my cookshack for a little less than two years. The probe didn't work when I got it, a year down the road, the door cutoff switch went out, and today, a week before a big event, my smoker just died. Question....if the heating element goes out, will it cut off juice to the display? I powered it up today, and just as it started to warm, the display began to dim, flicker, then slowly fade out. Could it be that the element crapped out, or could it be the control module? It did not...Read More...

Hi all- This post is slightly off topic, but in the many posts I see degrees posted as 225F, or 225*. Most computers will allow you to put in a degree symbol, as in, 225º, by holding down the alt key and typing 0186. The only reason I'm posting this is that it took me a while to figure it out, and though it might be helpful. If this is too off-topic, my feelings won't be hurt if it gets deleted!Read More...

Do you guys have any good whole chicken recipes for the FEC-100? I read about smoking whole chickens in the other forum here but they seem to base much of their technique on the non-FEC smokers extensively (low temp maximums, water pans, etc.) I'm not new to smoking meat, but I've actually never smoked chickens (or turkey) for whatever reason. Do you have any suggestions?Read More...

recently had my sm160 tripping the breaker when switched on, so I replaced relay remedied teh tripping breaker but now screen is flickering and won’t heat element up. Any ideas I replaced with exact relay. ThxRead More...

In addition to the Thermapen. I also have an infrared, thermometer with laser pointer. I got mine at Harbor Freight Tool Co. and have found it to be almost as handy s the Thermapen. Here's the link to the product. I use it for measuring the surface temperature of a skillet when pan searing steaks or chops. I use it to measure the surface temperature of my pizza stone which I get to about 650 degrees, the surface temp of the interior of my smoker, and, best of all, I use it to amaze my grand...Read More...

I have 2 seasons on my pg 500. today I when I tried to fire it up and the igniter would not shut down. basically it was burning the pellets in a big fire. any ideas?Read More...

I'm trying to replace the heating element on my small (SM025?) smoker. I watched the on line video. However on MY smoker the moisture shield is caulked (silicone) at the top, whereas in the video, the tech just unscrews it and removes it. I'm a 64 yo woman who's pretty handy, but I am struggling with getting this blasted cover off. Am I missing something? Help!Read More...

The very first actual smoke with my new SM066. I used Mr T. Recipe. Using Sockeye Salmon I brined it for 18 hours. When I set the smoker to 200° it kept showing a temperature of 209°. So I set it for 190°, smoked for 60 mins then lowered the temp to 145° for 30 min.Read More...

Bill sent me a new IQ5 power supply and FEC Varistor. I've installed both according to instructions, updated firmware to 224-M. The unit powers up, but the Over Temp Error appears after pressing start. I've pushed the green button on the back of the unit, even held it down, but the error doesn't clear and I can't use the smoker. Suggestions? Is there an Over Temp by-pass or other switch on the mother boards to clear this error?Read More...

A friend gave me his Smokette; it's about 10 years old. The temp probe monitoring stops at 199F; he told me it always worked this way. Does anyone know if there is an updated controller that 'fixes' this? Meats usually need a bit higher temp!Read More...

Used MrT's salmon brine recipe. Smoked for about 1 1/2 hours in the FEC with maple pellets at 200. Glazed with 2/3 maple syrup 1/3 bourbon, three coats about 10 minutes between coats. Outstanding. Thanks for looking...Read More...

From the America's Test Kitchen 2019 episode "Chicken & Biscuits" comes this "Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Sauce" recipe: 1-1/2 cups ketchup 1/4 cup molasses 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 Tablespoon hot sauce 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper Combine all ingredients. No heating/cooking/reduction required.Read More...

Nothing beats a well grilled, dry aged Delmonico steak. Unless you have a separate fridge with temp and humidity controls, it's impossible to do at home. However, wet aging comes close to delivering the same flavor and tenderness...think of a Lexus vs a Mercedes Two things are needed for wet aging, beef packed in Cry-O-Vac and a packing/slaughter date. The C.O.V. must be flawless - no holes or punctures or separated end seams. Meat properly sealed in C.O.V. will have ni air pockets and...Read More...

I've been trying for months to find a method to do chicken wings in my Amerique that would produce tender, tasty wings with skin that was not rubber. I tried low temps, long times, higher temps, shorter times, more smoke, less smoke, brine, not brine, smoke then grill for crisp skin, etc., etc. I always wound up with pretty tasty wings that were not really pleasant to eat because the skin was just not done right. I know those with smokers or pellet grills that can go above 300 F can do this...Read More...

Hey guys, I was going to do an overnight butt for the family on the smokette (sm025), but when I tried to power on the smoker, no signal at all. Tried a few different outlets. Cracked open the top so see if there was some kind of reset switch, but nothing...measured power to the terminals on the top underneath the control panel, but not sure what else to do. Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas...going to have to prep the egg instead for one of my weekend cooks, but still would like...Read More...

i started an overnight cook for a couple butts. At 225, this should be a 12+ cook. But I can’t get me PG500 to hold at 225. What am I doing wrong. I even dropped the set temp to 175 just to see what would happen. It was between 260-270. My LHT and HHT we’re both set to 25. Not sure what I’m doing wrong here. Any suggestions?Read More...

I need help with my chicken. No matter what cut of chicken I use I can never get the skin crispy when I smoke it. When I groll it turns out perfect, but I need advice. My skin is always rubbery https://6newslawrence.com/rubbery-chicken/ and I have tried rubbing oil, cooking spray, etc on it before the smoke but nothing. Any suggestions? My other question is on the legs, the exposed meat always get hard and over smoked. Has a thick smoke taste that isn't pleasant. Any advice is greatly...Read More...

I left the factory settings for my PG500's LHT/HHT exactly as they were when they arrived. But I have been curious lately...if you decided to change your settings why would you do so? Why should I consider it? Thanks!Read More...