Have a Q

[chantzusmc]

I have a custom electric smoker with an 1100 watt coil burner from Walgreens. I think the coil is 7" somewhere around there and if I was to take a larger coil say 10" and plugged it into the 1100 watt would I get more heat since I have a larger coil or would it be about the same since it's still 1100 watt?

 

[5oakssmoker]

Most if not all Off-the-shelf electric burners have an automatic thermal cutoff to shut down the burner if the housing is exposed to temperatures above its operating range, this is to prevent fires, you might check that out first, maybe your heat chamber is getting hotter than the burner allows itself to work in.

 

[chantzusmc]

The housing is disconnected except by the insulated wires. The housing isn't exposed to any heat. I just was wondering if it's possible to get more heat out of a larger coil while still using the same 1100watt housing control thing. Mainly can I rip a large two prong coil out of a stove and connect it to my 1100 watt control box? If so will I get more heat or will it be the same since it's still 1100 watts

 

[5oakssmoker]

Most cook stoves run on 220v, putting a coil from there in a 110v burner would probably end up with half the coil rating for the cook stove. With that in mind, a 2000w element from a cook stove will put out less heat in your housing than your 1100w element that is made to run off the 110v.

 

[5oakssmoker]

Most of the custom smokers I have seen on here seem to do well with the 1000w or 1500w 110v burners. My Big Chief has just a lil 450w burner and it will get up to around 170-200 degrees depending on how much meat I put in it, and the outside temps.

I would check for ways to either insulate, or control your airflow better, it will also depend on the size of your cooking chamber.

Something else, If you are using an extension cord to run your smoker, ditch that and plug it directly into the outlet, if that's not possible, use the heaviest/shortest cord you can find, you will lose potential for your burner through a long cord.

Pictures would help.

 

[lamar]

An 1100 watt coil will produce 1100 watts of heat regardless of it's physical size.  If you are thinking about going to a larger wattage coil,  you will have to check the amperage rating on the thermostat and the size of the wire in the smoker. 

Good luck.