Used Wood Appearance

Yep.

I agree with Tom!

quote:

Originally posted by Tom:
Yep.

Tom, I think that's a record post for you...record for FEWEST words used.

But the best part, was that it was to a multiple choice question Now, some folks would say "PRICELESS"!

Okay, IQ2, I will try to give you a SERIOUS answer.

You can get either burned up hunks of wood or you can get ashes depending on how long you cook. It may also have something to do with the kind of wood but I am not sure about that.

Either way is okay and neither indicates anything wrong with the cooker or the wood or your food.

Donna

Also, you should leave what ain't burnt up and add to it for the next cook.

I always dump it. I can't stand any hint of charcoal taste on food. But because I always toss it, I do not in fact know what it tastes like to use it. Anyone else have an opinion?

Donna

By leaving the unused wood/charcoal pieces in won't necessarily affect flavor but you my get more of a smoke ring with your next cook.

Our wood usually looks like a black piece of charred wood. We don't re-use it. When we've gotten to the ash point, the ash blows all around in the smoker and will settle on your meat. I just don't like that. We still get a little ash just when the wood is all charred up.
I've noticed the ash in both smokers, the SM150 seems to give less ash. We use pellets in the FEC.
Hope this helps.
Peggy

I have never experienced a problem with ashes getting on the meat. Maybe I just never noticed.

The literature that promotes the Bradley says that the good smoke is only in the part from new to blackened and their little device pushes the blacken biscuit into a water pan. That I suppose sells a lot of their expensive wood biscuits, but I would agree with Tom and the others, Yep!

PS: Sometimes I use the blacken, sometimes I don't, it subjectively depends if it looks to me as if it has any good smoke left and it's variety compliments what I am now smoking.

Thank you to everyone for the information. It's nice to know that either result works. I think my personal preference will be to toss the wood that still looks like charcoal. It makes sense that if it looks and feels like charcoal that it will act like charcoal and no longer give off smoke but may help with a making a smoke ring on a subsequent smoke. Down the road I may reconsider tossing it but for now I still have a lot to learn.

Two more great smokes, a brisket and pork ribs. A lot of great information on this forum.