masterbuilt smoker problem

[xentrik1]

I have a masterbuilt dual 2 door smoker and the chunks I'm using keep catching fire.  I've searched the forum and have tried wrapping the wood tray in tin foil and it caught the tin foil on fire.  I've also tried putting a cast iron pan over the chip tray and still catches fire.  I'm at a loss.  Not sure what else I can do.  The design of this smoker really does not lend itself to raising the tray much higher.  Any other ideas I can try?  I also tried a AMZN pellets smoker an that caught on fire too. The weird thing is according to my maverick the temp inside is staying under 230 and is pretty consistent.   Does the burning wood cause creosote or is it ok to cook with it like that?  Thanks for any help

 

[daveomak]

xentrik1.....   try using one chunk only.....  it takes 2 pieces of wood to make a fire...   second, Raise the wood pan farther away from the flame on the burner.....    third, place a heat diffuser under the chunk pan....  fourth, can you lower the flame so it is colder ??

 Dave 

 

[xentrik1]

Thanks for the reply.  I tried using a cast iron pan as a heat diffuser and can't really raise the wood box higher because the water pan is right there.  I tried to turn it down but it seems like the regulator that came with this units has 2 settings high and low even though its a knob.  When i watch it the flame stays low then when i get about half way it goes to high.  you can noticebly hear the change.  Love the dummy quote in you sig btw.  I may have to borrow that :)

 

[xentrik1]

I forgot, the way the pan is designed there is holes in the wood tray where the flames can come up and catch even a sinigle peice of wood on fire. 

 

[daveomak]

Will the smoker make smoke on low??   remove the water pan and raise the chunk pan....  see what happens....   

Dave

 

[xentrik1]

drops under 200 if I put it on low, I will try taking out the water pan and trying to find something to raise up the wood tray  Thanks

 

[daveomak]

Sounds as if the MB gas valve needs to be replaced with a needle valve that will allow for continuous adjustment.....   or put in line in the gas hose nearer the tank....  I think Pops has done that mod...  Search "needle valve".... I'm sure there are many posts on how to do that and what kind of success was had....   It's unfortunate smokers are built without the engineering to make them great...  of course that's not all bad.... we wouldn't have anything to do to improve them and make them "our own"...  

Dave

 

[xentrik1]

Dave that is so true.  Even if they were perfect I'm sure we'd find a way to customize them though :)  I will search for that.  It sounds like that might work thanks!