Burning Wood?

The wood should be black, that is charcoal, when you are done smoking. The wood should smolder to produce smoke not burn with a flame. The holes in the top and the bottom of the smoker restrict Oxygen so that you don;t get a flame.

Don't wet the wood.

You don't need to worry. Put 2 or 3 small chunks of wood in the wood box and let it go over night. I do this all the time. The smoker is well insulated and it won't start a fire.

You only need to use a few small chunks of wood for the smoker, even for long smokes. Three or four ounces is plenty.

Overnight smokes are cool. Two thirds of the work is doen while you are sleeping.

quote:

Originally posted by redwhiteblue56:
...and worried it will start a fire...Also, when you run things 8-10-12+ hours, how often do you check to make sure there isn't a fire?

???? Now why would you be worried about a fire in a smoker that's been out there for almost 40 years and is designed for home use?

No issues about a fire. Just realize there is a little bit of a learning curve about the various cuts, but not much of a curve for operating the unit.

Because the heating element is electric, the wood is only there for smoke flavor and the electronics control the temp.

Check out the link at the top of the page "new owner, have questions, start here" and it will get you on the right path.

It is NOT a set it and forget it...until you've used it a couple of times. The section I mentioned will take you around a number of links with lessons for new users.

Welcome to the forum. There is a LOT of helpful information to help put you at ease with your purchase, so have a read and enjoy.

Smokin'