First Timer

[applewood35]

Hi Everyone.

I just built my first smoker out of scrap wood and some old cedar shingles from my grandparent's house that I've had laying around for 25 or so years. I've put in a single electric burner (1100 amps) and have a cast iron box for the chips. The inside isn't very big (14"W x 36"H x 24"D) and gets to about 210° before I put anything in it. Once I put the chips in it stays around 150° but doesn't get much higher. Any suggestions on what to do and how to keep the heat up without adding another heating element?

I appreciate the suggestions. Thanks.

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• applewood35
• Apr 11, 2016

 

[gearjammer]

Welcome to the forum.

You don't say what your outside temp is, that do make a difference.

First off your element would be 1100 watts, 1100 amps would have her right

good and warm.

You say it got to 210F then you put in chips and could only get to 150F

sounds like you didn't get her closed up tight.

The chips should not lower your temp. ability.

Some insulating material might help you.

We can help, just need some more info.

What size is your air inlet and outlet? 

Just keep on working on it.

It will come together.

                         Ed

 

[applewood35]

Hi Ed,

Thanks for responding. Sorry about the typos, it was late. Your right, 1100 amps would have had it a little on the hot side.

The outside temp was about 41 and windy. I figured that had something to do with it.  As far as the air intake I put in a bottom draw that I planned on opening and closing when I need refill the chips.  I cracked that open by about 3/8" to let air in. I was debating about cutting in a more traditional slide louver on one of the doors instead of cracking the bottom draw open.  Thoughts??

I also have a chimney with a piece of flat stock metal on top that I can slide open or closed to adjust the amount of smoke.  The chimney is about a 1" dia hole.

Thanks for your help and suggestions!!

~Jeff

 

[gary s]

  Good afternoon and welcome to the forum, from a partly cloudy but nice day here in East Texas, and the best site on the web. Lots of great people with tons of information on just about  everything.

Gary