Question

[okienated]

Howdy,
Got a question: Sometimes my Mak Grill smokes so bad the smoke fills my already small cave for a patio. In this instance, what i had done was reduced the grill temp. from 240 down to 200. I was in the middle of cooking beef ribs and they finished at 3 hours rather than the usual 5 hours. I've had the grill in the past do this for up to an hour. Is this normal--or what am i doing wrong? if the obvious question is well don't lower the temperature that low I'm OK with that, however its the billowing smoke for long periods of time that I'm really wondering what I'm doing wrong. I bought the grill last month.

Now to my other tendencies, the last picture is a thermal blanket incomplete prototype at this point, but started. thanks,

 

[RickB]

Ok a couple of Answers. The lower the temp the more smoke you get. Number two.. No reason to use a blanket until it gets cold real cold. Number three be sure you are cleaning out your fire box after each cook. Hope this helps.

 

[TentHunter]

1) It's normal for the MAK to smoke like crazy when you go from a higher to lower temp.


2) Are you blocking vents on the back of the MAK with that blanket?

http://www.pelletsmoking.com/mak-central-14/can-hood-vents-plugged-702/


MAK Daddy can speak best on this issue.

 

[Big Poppa]

usually the dirty fire box is the first place to start...then obstruction

 

[MAK DADDY]

All good advice as usual here

We do not recommend using a blanket, it doesn't help as much as it hurts and can catch fire.
Pellets can be a factor as well, some build up way to much ash which can plug the fire pot.

 

[CDN Smoker]

For us northern smokers can a insulated cover be designed? Not a MAK man yet but hope to be sometime in the spring?

 

[MAK DADDY]

We have tried it and it doesn't help enough to warrant the cost. The MAK will work perfectly in cold weather just ask our Alaska owners

 

[KyNola]

Yep, that thermal blanket has the rear vent completely covered and will prevent your MAK from "breathing" properly. You don't need it.

 

[RickB]

Yea you got the vents covered. I have never seen that much discoloration at the hood joint or vent.. Take the blanket off at see. If it helps