At what temp do wood chips combust

SaintJohnsEgger

I was playing around today with my electric smoker at temperatures running from 230 up to 350 degrees. The chips never smoke and never started to burn even after 5 hours in the cooker. I know electric smokers aren't the bet for smoking but this really surprised me. I was using a mixture of chips and chunks.

So at what temp does wood combust? 

I need to modify the smoker in order to get some decent smoke. I'm just curious why the chips didn't look any different and didn't burn at all.

Botch

Actually a good question!  I know that paper, which is made with wood, combusts at Precisely 451º F    so I imagine wood is pretty close to that.
 
The thermometer in my old electric smoker was up near the top ("Brinkman" style) and always read just over 200, but the wood chips were in a dish nestled within the electric coils, and saw much higher heat.  They smouldered fine.  

SaintJohnsEgger

Botch said:

Actually a good question!  I know that paper, which is made with wood, combusts at Precisely 451º F    so I imagine wood is pretty close to that.
 
The thermometer in my old electric smoker was up near the top ("Brinkman" style) and always read just over 200, but the wood chips were in a dish nestled within the electric coils, and saw much higher heat.  They smouldered fine.  

The wood chip box int the CharBroil is to the left of the heating element. May have to figure out how to move it. May end up setting up my A-Maze-N smoker tube and using that though I'm worried that it may go out. If so then I will have to modify the smoker.

If all goes well that Jolly elf will be bringing me a gas smoker for Christmas. So this may not be an issue.

lousubcap

Being educationally challenged I consulted the Google machine and here's an article that may be worth a read:

https://amazingribs.com/more-technique-and-science/grill-and-smoker-setup-and-firing/what-you-need-know-about-wood-smoke-and 

FWIW-

lkapigian

SaintJohnsEgger said:

Botch said:

Actually a good question!  I know that paper, which is made with wood, combusts at Precisely 451º F    so I imagine wood is pretty close to that.
 
The thermometer in my old electric smoker was up near the top ("Brinkman" style) and always read just over 200, but the wood chips were in a dish nestled within the electric coils, and saw much higher heat.  They smouldered fine.  

The wood chip box int the CharBroil is to the left of the heating element. May have to figure out how to move it. May end up setting up my A-Maze-N smoker tube and using that though I'm worried that it may go out. If so then I will have to modify the smoker.

If all goes well that Jolly elf will be bringing me a gas smoker for Christmas. So this may not be an issue.

I used my AMAZN in my Smoke Hollow Digital electric smoker , never went out

SaintJohnsEgger

Thanks for the help guys.

Yesterday was also a test to see if I could hold my temps in the smoker. It was also an opportunity to practice with setting the temps as all the smoker has is a round knob with lines and low/med/high but no temperature markings.

I'll have to do something about the smoke if Santa doesn't come through for me. But I'll put that off until next week and cross that bridge if/when it comes.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

lousubcap said:

Being educationally challenged I consulted the Google machine and here's an article that may be worth a read:

https://amazingribs.com/more-technique-and-science/grill-and-smoker-setup-and-firing/what-you-need-know-about-wood-smoke-and 

FWIW-

Ha! was just coming here to post that link. That one cost me $1500 for a new smoker. I like to post it everywhere I can in hopes someone else takes the bait.

lousubcap

@The Cen-Tex Smoker I get it but you do have the state of the art "Dishwasher" in your stable so there's that 

The Cen-Tex Smoker

lousubcap said:

@The Cen-Tex Smoker I get it but you do have the state of the art "Dishwasher" in your stable so there's that 

Still love it but I want someone to share in my wallet genocide.