New to smoking. Noob question about loading smoker

[terryit3]

I bought a used Master Forge domed red electric smoker. The heating element is at the bottom below the black pan.

Do I have to buy volcanic rock to place around the heating element or do I just put the water and wood in the black pan?

Thanks for any help and advice.

 

[bobank03]

Can you post a pic of your smoker? Sounds like you have the Brinkmann Gourmet clone? 

Also go over to roll-call and tell us about yourself. Don't forget to add your location to your profile so we know where in the world you are. A lot of answers are different based on where you live. 

 

[terryit3]

You are correct Bob. It is a Brinkmann Gourmet clone. It's about 3 feet tall and about 16 inches in diameter. 2 racks, burner on bottom, pan sits on top of that. I'll work on getting my info updated :)

image.jpg

• terryit3
• Jul 29, 2014

 

[rsnovi]

I used a Brinkman smoker like this. The burner was surrounded with small lava rocks. I put the wood right next to the burner but not touching.

 

[terryit3]

Cool. I have had it on for about an hour, but the hottest I've been able to get it is 210 degrees. I'm in Ohio and it's about 75 out tonight. I'll pick up some lava rocks tomorrow and hopefully they will help hold more heat in.

 

[terryit3]

I was also under the impression that the wood went in the water pan. I'm guessing that's not right? I have wood chips, so I'm not sure how is use them around the burner/element without touching.

 

[bobank03]

I'm in another conversation in the ECB group right now and the other fellow @TrikkyP   has the gourmet as well. I will bring him down to this thread as he is a seasoned user and I'm sure he can help you out. 

 

[trikkyp]

Hi Terry. A couple tips.
Are you using an extension chord? Using one or multiple chord can weaken the electric current and prevent you from getting it to your desired temp.

I like to use wood chunks as opposed to chips. The chips burn too fast and produce inconsistent
Heat. I soak the chunks for about an hour and a half and place three good sized chunks in the lava rocks around the heating unit. They should burn for hours and produce good consistent heat.

What kind of thermo are you using to measure temp?



Can you post a pic of your heating unit?
I like to use the wood chunks in my brinkman electric

 

[bill1]

If you simply must use an extension cord, use as short as possible and make sure it's 12AWG or heavier (14 guage is just too light for heaters.) If the problem is not enough smoke, get the wood closer to the filament.  If the problem is not enough temperature, put a cardboard box around the smoker.  A medium packing box (18x18x16) with the flaps taped to form a square cardboard duct works great on the round vertical Brinkmanns.  Control the airflow at the bottom with a couple bricks for spacers, which can be oriented to 3 different heights.