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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Flavoring Wood
To obtain your favorite smoke flavor, experiment by using
chunks, sticks or chips of flavor producing wood such as
manuka, apple or cherry. Most fruit or nut tree wood may
be used for smoke flavoring. Do not use resinous wood
such as pine as it will produce an unpleasant taste.
Wood chunks or sticks 3” to 4” long and 1” to 2” thick work
best. Unless the wood is still green, soak the wood in water
for 30 minutes or wrap each piece in foil and tear several
small holes in the foil to produce more smoke and prevent
the wood from burning too quickly. A lot of wood is not
required to obtain a good smoke flavor. A recommended
amount for the Vertical Smoker is 5 to 6 wood chunks
or sticks. Experiment by using more wood for stronger
smoke flavor or less wood for milder smoke flavor.
Additional flavoring wood should not have to be added
during the cooking process. However, it may be necessary
when cooking very large pieces of food. Follow instructions
and cautions in the “Adding Charcoal/Wood During
Cooking” section of this manual to avoid injury while
adding wood.
Regulating Heat
To maintain or increase temperature, fully open air vent
dampers on sides of smoker box. If increased air circulation
does not raise the temperature sufficiently, more wood
and/or charcoal may need to be added during the cooking
cycle. Follow instructions in “Adding Charcoal/Wood During
Cooking” section of this manual.
Note: Dry wood burns hotter than charcoal, so you may
want to increase the ratio of wood to charcoal to increase
the cooking temperature. Hardwood such as oak, hickory,
mesquite, fruit and nut wood are an excellent fuel because
of their burning rate. When using wood as fuel, make sure
the wood is seasoned and dry. DO NOT use resinous wood
such as pine as it will produce an unpleasant taste.
Adding Water During Cooking
Check the water level in water pan if the complete cooking
process takes longer than 2 hours. A low water level can be
detected by listening for the sound of water sizzling. Water
can be added to the water pan through the smoker box
door. Use caution and follow instructions carefully.
WARNING:
Use caution since flames can flare-up
when fresh air suddenly comes in contact with fire.
When opening the door, keep hands, face and body
a safe distance from hot steam and flame flare-ups.
1. Stand back and carefully open smoker box door
allowing heat and steam to escape away from your
face. Use caution since flames can flare-up when fresh
air suddenly comes in contact with fire. Inspect the
water level in pan.
2. If water level is low, extra water or marinade will need
to be added to water pan. Wearing oven mitts/gloves,
slide out water pan bracket no more than 4”.
WARNING:
To avoid overturning/spilling pan of
hot liquid, never pull water pan bracket out more
than 4”. (See illustration)
3. Fill water pan to 1” below the rim. Pour slowly to avoid
splashing or over-filling.
4. Carefully slide water pan bracket in completely, close
smoker box door and allow food to continue cooking.
Adding Charcoal/Wood During Cooking
Additional charcoal and/or wood may be required to
maintain or increase cooking temperature.
WARNING:
Use caution since flames can flare-up
when fresh air suddenly comes in contact with fire.
When opening the door, keep hands, face and body
a safe distance from hot steam and flame flare-ups.
1. Stand back and carefully open smoker box door
allowing heat and steam to escape away from your
face. Use caution since flames can flare-up when fresh
air suddenly comes in contact with fire. Inspect the
charcoal level in pan.
2. Wearing oven mitts/gloves, stand back a safe distance
and use long cooking tongs to lightly brush aside ashes
on hot coals. Use cooking tongs to add charcoal and/or
wood to charcoal pan, being careful not to stir-up ashes
and sparks. If necessary, use your Charcoal Chimney
Starter to light additional charcoal and/or wood and
add to existing fire.
WARNING:
Never add charcoal lighting fluid to hot
or even warm coals as flashback may occur causing
severe burns.
3. Close smoker box door and allow food to continue
cooking.
1"
4”
