Snack sticks

[Arnie Hofer]

I just bought a masterbuilt smoker.Wat should I start the temp at and should I leave smoke on at all times or will it be to smoky.

[samspade]

Need more info. Gas electric or wood, charcoal or pellet? Have you seasoned it yet? What are you cooking? How smokey do you want? Lots of questions but the people here will help just be specific.

[Arnie Hofer]

samspade it’s an electric smoker I bought some hickory wood chips don’t want it to smoky.Im making hi mountain seasoning snacks sticks 21mm casings

[samspade]

Ahh. Ok I have the same brand electric. Go to the University section here and watch the videos on making snack sticks. They have a good thermal processing schedule that covers both completing the cook in the smoker, or pulling them out and finishing cooking in water. Dont skip the ice bath either as that helps set the casings. Also the reason for slowly upping the temp is so you slowly dry the interior before the casing hardens and wont let the moisture out. Hope that helps.

[wdaly]

Arnie Hofer I agree with following the thermal processing times on here. I have noticed with my Masterbuilt electric, if I fill the chip tray about every hour, I get about the amount of smoke I like. Hope you enjoy your smoker. Let us know how your sticks turn out.

[YooperDog]

Arnie Hofer I agree with samspade and wdaly. Also, I would check the temperature control for accuracy. Top half and bottom half inside for variation. My temperature had wide swings and I got a replacement from MB, it is a bit more accurate. Smokiness will depend on the wood used, as well as how long you want to apply smoke. Keep good notes on what works for you and your will dial it in.

[Arnie Hofer]

YooperDog I bought some western premium hickory chips.Will it be to much if I leave smoke on at all times.Do I need to check the temp accuracy if it’s brand new.

[Arnie Hofer]

wdaly Do u mean fill the side tray once a hour or the entire wood tray

[wdaly]

Arnie Hofer Only ever fill the tube level with the cut out . If you put too many wood chips in, they don’t burn well and can jam the tube. Then you have to wait for them to burn down to get the tube out .

[Arnie Hofer]

@wdalyShould there be water in the water tray at all times

[craigrice]

I have the Masterbilt smoker also and the cold smoking attachment ,with it I can add smoke at any temp. apple wood is a mellower smoke flavor than hickory but I use both depending on the item being smoked, think about getting one they also work great for doing cheese !

[wdaly]

Arnie Hofer I would keep water in the tray to increase the relative humidity. Jonathan did research on RH and found to increase it further you can put a couple automotive sponges in the water tray. This increases the surface area and will help with temperature stall when smoking your product.

[bocephus]

craigrice I think adding that is a great improvement to a masterbuilt.

[wdaly]

craigrice I’ve been thinking of getting one. They have them on Amazon for $70.00. have one in my cart. I take it you think they’re worth the money.

[Arnie Hofer]

wdaly how many hours would u recommend leaving them to cure in the fridge and should I leave the water out until the hour drying stage is done

[twilliams]

Arnie Hofer you would want to keep them in fridge for a minimum of 12 hours for the cure to work. I usually stuff on a Saturday afternoon then smoke the next day starting around 9 or 10 am. I’m not a morning person is the main reason for late morning start.

For water pan yes I would leave out til Atleast your initial 1 hour dry stage is complete and then maybe the first hour of smoking but that is up to you. Stall seams to be around the 145* IT mark in my experience.

[Denny O]

Arnie Hofer Follow Hi Mountains directions. They come out rather well. I do find their seasoning to be on the salty side imo.

[Denny O]

For cold smoking it is hard to beat the “A-Maze-N” Brand products for price/punch. I have a 12" tube and the 5x8 maze I use the tray a lot when making bacon and other!

[YooperDog]

Arnie Hofer Hickory does have a strong flavor, but works well with pork products. If you can get some apple, pecan, cherry for a lighter flavor. Just fill the tube and let it burn down, you can watch the smoke coming out of the vent, probably about once an hour or so.

I leave the water in all the time, you can add after the drying phase but I would add hot water otherwise you will lose temperature until the water heats up.

[Arnie Hofer]

YooperDog would it be to much smoke if I smoke for the while time the sticks are in