External Smoke Generator - What's your thoughts

[BHamel]

We at Smokin-It are thinking about selling an external smoke generator.  This would be able to connect to the smoker and provide smoke for cold smoking without the need for a cold smoke plate.  It could also be used in conjunction with the heating element for regular smoking as well.  It could be connected when needed and easily stored when not.  Let us know your thoughts.

Thanks,
Ben
Smokin-It IT Guy!

 

[Lonzinomaker]

If it is a re-badged smoke-daddy, I wouldn't be interested.
A requirement for me would be ability to have smoke for at least 6 hours without intervention.

 

[LarryD]

Maybe?  I've been a little reluctant to pick up a third party one because I don't want to have to find/stock whatever fuel it also requires.  So... if you start stocking one then you need to either stock fuel, too, or have a partnership with someplace that has it to keep it super easy.  Honestly, setting up some kind of relationship with Smokinlicious, Fruita Wood, and/or Bob's Smokin Hardwood could be a pretty good setup.

Otherwise, something that doesn't require that I remove the existing smoke box would be nice. 

 

[old sarge]

Hi Ben - I have not been bitten by the cold smoking bug.  But something that would be long running and attach easily would probably do well for those that like to cold smoke. If the generator was pumping smoke up through the drain hole or down through the vent no box modification would be needed.  BUT, pumping up through the drain hole would require elevating the smoker on a stand.  Fixing a permanent through wall adapter plate would be convenient if it could be plugged from inside and outside when not in use. I don't think small screws like those used to attach the D controller would be sufficient enough or robust enough.  Here's hoping you get a lot of input from the cold smoking crowd.

 

[Walt]

I'm set currently with the Big Kahuna.  I like it quite a lot. Runs on wood chips for 2 to 3 hours between reloads. It stays mounted on the unit even when not in use. Between smokes, the only thing that gets removed is the hose the connects it to the smoker (only pressed into place, no hardware). The only negative is, it requires a propane torch to light and some attention initially to get it rolling. Not a big negative but an electric element might be more convenient for most.

A smoke generator seems like a natural addition to your offerings.

 

[azbohunter]

I would be interested to see what "it" would be. I like to smoke my salmon and kokanee low and slow starting at 110 for a couple hours and working the temps up in 20 degree increments to 170 over a period of 6 hours. I use a A-MAZE-N-PELLET-SMOKER(AMNPS) and dust with a jerky fan but keeping it going can be challenging. Will be following...

 

[Limey]

My rig is essentially identical to Walt's and I find that it works well. He identified the minor issues with igniting it but it uses whatever wood chips you choose which I think is a big plus.

 

[Jimeo]

Following as well.  Haven’t been bitten by the bug yet either but have the cold smoke plate and have used a few times on salmon and bacon.  Awfully tedious process to use.  Still have a pellet tube smoker in the box to experiment with.  Will be curious to see what you come up with.

 

[kona77]

I may have an interest since I am just getting into some cold smoking (bacon, sausage etc.)

 

[BHamel]

We are developing and testing a generator right now.  Key to the whole thing will be to make it simple and easy to convert an older model.  It may be a while but this forum will get the first pics of the beta version.

Thanks,
Ben

 

[BHamel]

Does anyone have issues with condensation in the pipe with the Big Kahuna?  Also do you see any issues with a square generator vs a round generator?

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Lonzinomaker]

There is a gravity feed pellet stove that is made from square pipe (US Stove Wiseway). I would think you would get a more even burn from a cylinder if you're doing a vertical burn chamber.

 

[old sarge]

Does anyone have issues with condensation in the pipe with the Big Kahuna?  Also do you see any issues with a square generator vs a round generator?

Thanks,
Ben

I can see where there might be some condensation issues, as a result of cooling, over a long pipe run before the smoke enters the smoker.

 

[Walt]

There is a little condensation that drips.  I try to place the protien away from under the vent or with bacon its skin side up so the drip only stains a piece of the skin.

 

[Limey]

I get quite a lot of condensation with my Big Kahuna-several tablespoons per smoke. My solution was to put a belly in the smoke pipe leading from the BK to the top vent and drain it from time to time. With this setup no condensation enters the smoker.

 

[old sarge]

What would happen if the smoke was  physically routed through a chamber of ice enroute to the smoker?  Enter the chamber via one orifice and exit the chamber via a second orifice and onto the smoker?  Would the condensation occur in the chamber and be drier when it entered the smoker?

 

[LTS]

Sounds like a great idea ,  I have a model  #1 and #4    The #1 has a Smokemiester and they do make condensation I installed a ball valve to drain the creosote ended up not using it. When the #4 came I enlarged  the drain hole right out of the box I use the Amazin 5x8 pellet trey and have no trouble keeping it lit. The drawback with for me the flash point of the pellets the 4 has that big heating element . For me the best that I've liked is the mail box mod. the smoke gets cooled.

      HTH    Paul

 

[snakyjake]

Might the smoke generator create a different smoke flavor profile or add more smoke layers for pulled pork?

 

[old sarge]

Good question.  My own take on this, and without ever having used an external smoke source is that smoke flavor is smoke flavor regardless of whether it be hot smoke or relatively cool smoke.  Hopefully someone with experience using an external smoke device can provide some solid insight as to the flavor profile. Regarding layers, I would think (after ruining a butt) that the longer a piece of meat sits in a stream of smoke, the more flavor it gets, at least on the exterior. My ruined butt was very bitter, and the tacky coating on the exterior had the consistency of creosote.

 

[Administrator]

Hello Smoker Nation,

update on the external smoke generator,  We are now working on our second prototype.  we needed to make some adjustments in the design.  Looks to be a stainless steel square vertical burn chamber. with the hope to have a large enough chamber to support a smoke for 5 or 6 hours before having to re load with more wood.  We have tried various mounting locations on the smoker and I believe we might go with a door mount.  Seems to work well with little or no condensation issues.  We should be able to also offer a pre drilled door setup for the customers that don't want to drill a hole into a smoker.  Or you could actually mount the generator anywhere you want.  We plan on posting some photos to review after we do more testing on this second prototype