Smoker not getting hot!

[Mnfisher]

Still a "newbie" smoker here. Trying to smoke some salami today but my smoker is not even giving enough heat to burn the chips! I have a propane Smokey Mountain Great Outdoors smoker. Is it the low temps? or maybe I need a new regular/hose. Flame is the same high or low. I'm only getting around 160degrees. Thanks.

[charliepete]

It's the weather. Propane doesn't flow great in this type of weather. Even the electric smokers don't work great this time of year. I have an insulated box I built for mine and even still I still end up just adding smoke in the smoker and finishing things in the oven in these types of temps.

[Alagnak]

Some store bought smokers have the chip pan WAY too far up from the flame too. Is there anyway you can just set the pan right on the burner or closer too it? It might not help on temp but will help burn the chips at least- which will help a little on temp. Oh- an quick peeking. If you're lookin you aint cookin ;-)

[Mnfisher]

Yeh, I think it might be the weather too! Don't know for sure if I can move the chips up or not. They did not ignite at all. I just put my sticks in the oven. No more smoking until the weather warms up! Saturday? Thanks!

[picksbigwagon]

I have seen people who have taken a welders blanket and wrapped that around their smoker to help insulate it. maybe wrap it a blanket around your propane tank as well.

[thirdeye]

Are you by any chance soaking your chips? If so try some dry ones. And speaking of chips, they come in several different versions from sawdust to half-dollar size chips. Maybe try a smaller size as they will ignite easier.

And speaking of insulating a smoker, I do it with my electric Little Chief and can get another 50° out of it. A propane smoker will be a little more difficult because the flame needs adequate air draft, and of course the fire danger with open flame, but maybe try a plywood wind shield.

[Mnfisher]

Thirdeye..I used some pretty fine chips. They just wouldn't ignite. I like the way you wrapped that one up. I might try it. Thanks.

[thirdeye]

Here is a top view. I was careful to oversize the innermost box so there was an air gap. In hindsight I wish I would have gone with the blue 1-1/2" insulation instead of the cheaper styro, but it does a good job. I the summer I can actually get to around 200° and can use this set-up to smoke sausage and smaller things like ribs.

[Borch]

The fact that the flame does not change has me wondering about fuel flow. I was smoking at -10 degrees F and had no problem getting 170 degrees and getting plenty of smoke with my propane smoker. Every smoker is different though.

[mskyfshntchr]

I have had issues with the propane sometimes when using different items over the year. If you haven't had any problems with the smoke before, my guess is there was a propane issue. A couple things you can try:

1- try to keep your tank warmer.

2- Turn the gas on and off on the tank and or the smoker.

3- Unhook the coupler from the tank and rehook.

Sometimes there is just a flow issue when it is cold and can be fixed by trying those things. This real cold weather makes it harder to use this stuff!