I'm new to using a cookshack. Can anybody tell me what the lowest temperature is that you can use & still generate smoke in a cookshack?
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Stuart would be the one to answer here. It's not how low for the CS, but what's the lowest temp that wood will smoke at. You can get a little better smoke at lower temps using pellets.
What are you trying to smoke? Cold smoke something?
What are you trying to smoke? Cold smoke something?
I think you can get smoke as long the thermostat is set above the outdoor temperature. Probably the lowest practical setting is around 100F. If you want to cold smoke below that, just put together an add-on box with a duct between the CS top vent and the add-on - there's been some discussions in the past.
One tip: You'll get a lot more smoke at low temperatures if you chop up your chunks of wood into 1/8" to 1/4" sticks. You can also use sawdust or shavings by making a little loose foil packet of them to put in the wood box.
One tip: You'll get a lot more smoke at low temperatures if you chop up your chunks of wood into 1/8" to 1/4" sticks. You can also use sawdust or shavings by making a little loose foil packet of them to put in the wood box.
Thanks for the tip on using sawdust. I will try this. I am currently trying to smoke some venison summer sausage & the recipe called for smoking for 20 - 24 hours (Not with smoke the entire time) at 80 - 100 degrees.
My worry about low temperatures smoking is the growth of bad stuff please make sure you have some nitrates in the sausage to control bacteria growth.
Personally I always cure anything I am smoking at low temperatures. I love the cold smoking kit I got with my 55 but it helps I live in Canada were the outside temperature allows for smoke at low temperatures.
Another trick is using a torch to light the wood in the smoker wood box before putting it in the smoker that way you are already starting with smoke. This works real well.
Personally I always cure anything I am smoking at low temperatures. I love the cold smoking kit I got with my 55 but it helps I live in Canada were the outside temperature allows for smoke at low temperatures.
Another trick is using a torch to light the wood in the smoker wood box before putting it in the smoker that way you are already starting with smoke. This works real well.