GOSM not enough smoke

[dpwct]

I have an 5 year old Great Outdoors Smokey Mtn  - one door.  Today I replaced the small wood box with a 10 1/2 inch cast iron pan and put a baking tray in for more water. 2 problems I need help, Want to smoke a 5 lb pork butt tomorrow.  I fired up the smoker to see how its doing.

I put in 4-5 chunks of hickory which is a few years old  Not much smoke - what should I do??

 I am also having trouble maintaining 200-225 (it gets too hot)

 

[seenred]

First, it'll run hotter empty than it will with meat in it.  Also, you say its 5 years old...what shape is the burner in?  If its beginning to corrode or burn out, that would make it very difficult to control the temps.  If the burner doesn't need replaced, you might think about a needle valve mod for better temp control.  Do a search and you'll find many members who have done that.

In regards to your lack of smoke, those old wood chunks could be the culprit.  I'd suggest making a run for some newer (younger?) wood chips/chunks.

Hope this helps...good luck!

Red

 

[s2k9k]

Even though the chamber temp is high the burner might not be enough to heat that big cast iron pan, try putting the stock wood pan back in and see how that does.
I have a GOSM widebody and when I first got it I couldn't keep it under 250* so I installed a needle valve and then I could control temps down to 185*
Also dump the water and fill the pan with sand, it will maintain temps much better and you will get much better temp control.

 

[jackal12]

sand....never heard of that one before.