Without running experiments, I'd like to know if anyone has gone from zero to hold temp while using wood? What is the lowest temp that the wood will start to produce smoke?
Regards, Mike
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Michael,
Not sure what you mean by zero. Know that your weather has been a lot like ours' which means that you are starting out at about 100 degrees. Any way, here is the deal at smoking at low temps. Wood starts to burn at about 600 degrees, which means that you have to have the heating elements on long enough that the wood reaches 600 degrees. The elements reach about 1100 degrees in about 30 seconds. However, you have to heat up the woodbox and then the wood.
What I am trying to say is that it is not an exact science as to what temperature the oven will be when the wood starts to smoke. I normally figure the heating element has to be on for 15 minutes. So, if you are starting at 100, the oven may reach 140 before the 15 minutes is up.
I the 150 like you have, we actually have what we call a hot oven start up mode. The chip looks at the beginning temperature and if you are within 30 degrees of set point, it goes into a cycle that keeps the element on for 15 minutes unless you go over 275 degrees. This ensures that the wood will burn and give you smoke.
Don't know if this answers your question, but hopefully it will help.
Stuart
Not sure what you mean by zero. Know that your weather has been a lot like ours' which means that you are starting out at about 100 degrees. Any way, here is the deal at smoking at low temps. Wood starts to burn at about 600 degrees, which means that you have to have the heating elements on long enough that the wood reaches 600 degrees. The elements reach about 1100 degrees in about 30 seconds. However, you have to heat up the woodbox and then the wood.
What I am trying to say is that it is not an exact science as to what temperature the oven will be when the wood starts to smoke. I normally figure the heating element has to be on for 15 minutes. So, if you are starting at 100, the oven may reach 140 before the 15 minutes is up.
I the 150 like you have, we actually have what we call a hot oven start up mode. The chip looks at the beginning temperature and if you are within 30 degrees of set point, it goes into a cycle that keeps the element on for 15 minutes unless you go over 275 degrees. This ensures that the wood will burn and give you smoke.
Don't know if this answers your question, but hopefully it will help.
Stuart
Stuart, my question wasn't clear, sorry. What I'd like to know is can I use the CS as a "holding" or as a "warming" oven at a pit temp of about 140 and achieve smoke from a cold start?
Thanks, Mike
Thanks, Mike
let's see translation???
You wanting to use the CS as a holding oven AND get smoke at the 140 temp?
well, the CS is a great holding oven and will do that job well (I've actually used my Smokette for that very function while the 150 is working away). The problem will be raising the temp of the wood to a high enough temp to get the smoke if that is your objective. Stuart points out it has to get to 600 degrees to smoke.
An option might be to "get the unit smoking" by putting the wood in at a normal temp then dropping the temp to hold. Try setting the CS to 200, let the wood start (typically within 15 min) and then drop the temp.
Does that work?
Smokin'
You wanting to use the CS as a holding oven AND get smoke at the 140 temp?
well, the CS is a great holding oven and will do that job well (I've actually used my Smokette for that very function while the 150 is working away). The problem will be raising the temp of the wood to a high enough temp to get the smoke if that is your objective. Stuart points out it has to get to 600 degrees to smoke.
An option might be to "get the unit smoking" by putting the wood in at a normal temp then dropping the temp to hold. Try setting the CS to 200, let the wood start (typically within 15 min) and then drop the temp.
Does that work?
Smokin'
Smokin' & Stuart,
I should have spelled this out in the first place.
Yes, what I want is to achieve a better bark on my briskets. So, I want to put in new wood at the 6 and 12 hour marks. If that isn't enough, I want to take the finished brisket to hold at 140 and continue building bark, if that is possible.
BTW, my briskets cooked in the CS take on a "medium to medium rare tint", too. I thought it was due to adding a couple of pieces of charcoal to the wood box. But, I don't know if Bobby did that as well.
Regards, Mike
I should have spelled this out in the first place.
Yes, what I want is to achieve a better bark on my briskets. So, I want to put in new wood at the 6 and 12 hour marks. If that isn't enough, I want to take the finished brisket to hold at 140 and continue building bark, if that is possible.
BTW, my briskets cooked in the CS take on a "medium to medium rare tint", too. I thought it was due to adding a couple of pieces of charcoal to the wood box. But, I don't know if Bobby did that as well.
Regards, Mike