Author Topic: How to Light A Smoker (Read 11913 times)

DonMcJr · « **on:** April 18, 2014, 12:12:58 am »

Made this Video for our Bee Club Members...figured I'd share it here too

G3farms · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2014, 12:33:12 am »

When you are finished using the smoker, don't open the top and let it burn all of the tender up. Instead leave the top closed and plug the spout, this will (well 99% of the time) put the fire out saving all of the tender for the next time. Plug the spout with a large stick you have whittled down to fit snugly, a wine cork, or the all time easiest a clump of green grass.

efmesch · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2014, 03:21:31 am »

In addition the plugging to spout, I like to plug the bottom vent by stuffing a piece of sponge between the bellows and the inlet pipe of the smoker. I think that would take care of the 1% that plugging the spout alone doesn't handle. It also speeds up the extinguishing process.

When using the unburnt material, It should be removed from the smoker, and the smoker emptied out of the ashes before restarting the flame for the next use.

tbonekel · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2014, 07:48:15 am »

I'm glad this thread was started, because I have a question about my smoker. I have the one that is sent out with a beginner package of supplies. It is probably the smallest one they make. Anyway, it has a collection of residue around the lip and on the inside of the lid that if I leave it closed after using it, I have the darndest time opening to fill it with fuel. I have tried to get that gummy gunk off, but can't seem to find a successful way of cleaning it. I use pine shavings for fuel. Hep me!

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2014, 08:03:52 am »

We dont have pine shavings, so not sure about that creosote.. but with the wood chips and pellets I use.. I do mostly the opposite mentioned. When finished I crack the top and puff the bellows to get a GOOD fire roaring, and let it burn.. if hot enough the creosote will also burn... think chimney fire in a house chimney... When it cools off I knock the ash off and have a smoker thats about 70% clean..

edit;
Also, when finished with the smoker dont snap the lid shut. you can wipe most residue off the rim while its still warm with an old rag.

efmesch · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2014, 08:51:49 am »

Tb--that accumulation of creosote is an indication that your flame is not too hot---that's good. a cool smoke is much better for the bees than a hot smoke.
I don't know exactly how your smoker is constructed, but mine has a seam around the lid. I fit the tip of the blade of my hive tool into the seam and, using the bellows as a fulcrum, pry up the top quite easily.
After a certain thickness of the creosote accumulates, it usually gets brittle and can be "crack-pealed" from the inner surface of the smoker (using the hive tool).
But yes, it definitely is a nuissance.

A new trick I started using about half a year ago was to take chunks of the residue left behind after I melt out the wax from my old frames in my solar extractor. Unil recently, I used to just throw it away. The residue contains wax, propolis and exuviae and burns nicely, for a long time, and, from my esperience, seems to help calm the bees. I don't use only the residue but add it into the smoker to burn together with my other fuels.

Intheswamp · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2014, 09:53:53 am »

Good video, is that a mapp torch...that should fire those twigs up in short time! Sorry I had no audio where I viewed the video...you might want to view it with the cc turned, not sure if you want cc or not.

I use mowed grass for my starter and wood pellets for the primary fuel. I will wad up a fist-sized ball of grass, hold it over the smoker and light it with a match. It only takes a moment for it to flame up and I drop it into the smoker and start puffing to make it flame up. I then push the grass on down into the smoker with my hive tool...not too tightly. Next I pour a couple of handfuls of pellets on top while still pumping the bellows. The first time lighting is the hardest part. As the fire from the grass starts burning the pellets, I continue pumping adding pellets. When a nice bellowing smoke is coming out I'll then add ever how many more pellets I want to and top it off with a wad of green grass or privet hedge leaves on top of the pellets...to keep the pellets from pouring out if I turn the smoker sideways or tilt it down and to cool the smoke down.

I mentioned that the first time lighting is the hardest. After you have lit the smoker once, there is ash, charred pellets, and coals left in the smoker. The second time you light the smoker drop in a handful or two of this charred matter over the burning grass, then pour in some fresh pellets along with a little more of the pre-burned stuff. The charred stuff acts as a catalyst in starting the fresh pellets and quickens the lighting process.

Since figuring out a lighting technique for the pellets they are all I use.

Ed

robo · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2014, 10:12:53 am »

Quote from: tbonekel on April 18, 2014, 07:48:15 am

I have tried to get that gummy gunk off, but can't seem to find a successful way of cleaning it.

Burn the creosote with a torch and it will leave an ash residue that brushes right off.

riverbee · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2014, 11:21:46 am »

"Burn the creosote with a torch and it will leave an ash residue that brushes right off."

yes, what rob said, that's how i clean up my smoker, inside and out, just hit it with a propane torch and i will also use a wire brush on the inside to scrape the residue off. clean's up really nice.

DonMcJr · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2014, 01:06:18 pm »

Thanks I learned something too! I always dump mine in into my Pond and let it all go out cause I have a ton of Pine needles available but heard stories how people left them in their car and started a fire. Now I know why I have a cork with my new smoker!

Intheswamp · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2014, 05:37:36 pm »

People leaving smokers in their vehicle???...you kidding me?

!!!!!!!

DonMcJr · « **Reply #11 on:** April 18, 2014, 07:39:08 pm »

Yep... she was driving and said to herself...Hmm...someone is really burning something nasty...then still smelled it 5 minutes later and figured it out...

LOL

Intheswamp · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2014, 07:55:56 pm »

Wow!!!!....musta been somebody mighty goofy to do something like that!!!!!!

Bamabww · « **Reply #13 on:** April 18, 2014, 08:21:47 pm »

I use pine needles and grass left over from baling my hay each fall. I push a handful of needles into the smoker, use a bbq lighter to start a flame and puff, puff, puff until I have a good bed of red hot pine needles. Then I stuff needles or grass in and pack it down puffing the smoker all the time. A packed down smoker will usually last an hour or so. When finished, I usually just set the smoker down on some gravel around the shed and let it burn out. Never thought about blocking the spout and bellows hole to have fuel ready for next time. Thanks for sharing the info.

camero7 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2014, 09:36:17 am »

I have switched to wood pellets. You need a propane torch to get them lit but they last all day. Just put some grass on top to keep the pellets from rolling out when you tip the smoker. I also have a metal 5 gallon container to haul the smoker to prevent those truck fires.

DonMcJr · « **Reply #15 on:** April 19, 2014, 11:14:27 am »

Quote from: camero7 on April 19, 2014, 09:36:17 am

I have switched to wood pellets. You need a propane torch to get them lit but they last all day. Just put some grass on top to keep the pellets from rolling out when you tip the smoker. I also have a metal 5 gallon container to haul the smoker to prevent those truck fires.

See it happens "a metal bucket to prevent those truck fires" LOL!

My Hives are on the same 6 acres as my house so I don't travel with a smoker...hence never had the chance to try and burn my truck!

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #16 on:** April 19, 2014, 09:47:35 pm »

A piece of window screen.. the metal type pushed into the tip of the smoker outlet nozzle fixes the pellets from rolling out, and is a good idea to prevent ANYTHING from falling out.. the bees get testy when embers roll down onto their hive.

Jen · « **Reply #17 on:** April 20, 2014, 12:12:21 am »

Scott- ""A piece of window screen.. the metal type pushed into the tip of the smoker outlet nozzle fixes the pellets from rolling out, and is a good idea to prevent ANYTHING from falling out.. the bees get testy when embers roll down onto their hive.""

Doh! Why didn't I think of that

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #18 on:** April 20, 2014, 12:36:19 am »

Just push the piece of screen into the nozzle. After a couple uses it becomes more difficult to remove. I have a bit of screen laying around so I don't even worry about cleaning it. Push the old piece out and push a new piece in. Really slick.
Don't feel bad, Someone told me about this trick as well, just passing it on! All for one, One for all!

efmesch · « **Reply #19 on:** April 20, 2014, 12:47:31 am »

Quote from: LazyBkpr on April 20, 2014, 12:36:19 am

Don't feel bad, Someone told me about this trick as well, just passing it on! All for one, One for all!

Don't feel bad? It makes us feel great!1
After all, isn't the sharing of our knowledge with one another what the forum is all about?