help! Brand new FEC100 problems

Your recipe is different for the FEC 100. Use only the Temp. The reality is that the smoker does not smoke constantly. A slightly different process.. I think it is better tasteing. Right now I don't think you are doing anythging wrong. Use the temp and not the amount of wood and you should be good

I think you're confusing an FEC with a CS residential model.

Fill your pellet hopper up. The 6oz reference was likely talking about wood in a CS's smoke box.

I just got mine wednesday. Fill the hopper with whatever pellets you want.

set the cook temp and time, and set the hold temp if wanted.

dont worry about temp swings...sitting there watching it will drive you nuts, I came inside, didnt watch at all and my food is the best I have had from a smoker.

I monitor the meat temp and thats all. (well I see the pit temp I just choose to ignore it)

After 4 cooks its much closer to set point than day one.

I can add one thing....I added 6 fire bricks to my lower shelf for thermal mass, I tend not to cook anywhere near the capacity of this unit so I leave them in there full time.

I personally think it helps maintain constant temp.

Linda -- You might want to post this down in the FEC forum on the main page. In the meantime, I'll make a post and let them know you have issues.

quote:

Originally posted by Wheelz:
Linda -- You might want to post this down in the FEC forum on the main page. In the meantime, I'll make a post and let them know you have issues.

Well ... I'm not sure what happened at first but we got the FEC smoking so we put on our first rack of ribs ... set it on the auto-pilot setting for ribs. Not the best ribs I have ever ate but the flavor was great. We should have cooked another hour or so but this is part of the learning curve. MY learning curve ... listen to the smokin' dudes on the forum ... not the domestic partner ... LOL. All told it was a good experience & we look forward to smoking a couple butts and a chuck roast tomorrow. Thanks to ALL who help by participating in this forum!!

Linda

quote:

how much quantity of pellets do you put in the hopper ... the recipe for ribs said 6 oz. This amount burned up in less than 20 minutes. Also ... should the FEC smoke constantly?

Fill the hopper as full as you wish. You'll always want at least a few inches of pellets in the bottom...just in case.

The smoke is cyclic...as the heat temp draws down, new pellets ignite and produce smoke.

Hope that helps.

Linda,

Do NOT use the presets, you want to have a little more choice on that, time and temp. I'm not even sure what they are anymore.

You can't cook Q by time. It's too subjective as the food varies.

Fill the hopper with pellets.

Smoke is in two parts. The white/gray stuff you see and the clear/blue stuff you don't. The pellets are 100% wood, so they will always be burning and you actually want the clear/blue smoke, it gives better flavor. Don't try to smoke them based on only seeing smoke, that's not the best way.

They key is smoke taste, how does it taste. Some people what a heavier smoke so they like to start at a lower setting. Others don't worry about it.

The unit works like a champ, there a little of a learning curve.

And you're right, listen to us, not your domestic partner

Thanks to all!
We foiled the ribs & put them back on the smoker for 4 hours on Sunday when we smoked two butts and a chuck roast. The ribs were delicious. We were very happy with the FEC100 performance ... definitely a learning curve but a delicious one!!