10
Timber
It’s important that every time a new piece of timber is placed in the fire that there is adequate air flow.
The fire needs to breathe. When first starting the
fire, ensure that the top plate and door are open.
Give the fire time to take hold, moving from small
kindling to medium-sized timber fully alight and
burning. Maintain a good fire by ensuring that
new pieces of timber are placed on the fire while
there is still flame from the log. This will keep
temperatures more stable rather than waiting for
new fuel to ignite.
Fist-sized smoking wood chunks work better than
wood chips as they burn for longer and produce a
cleaner smoke. There is no need to soak smoking
timber in water or other liquids.
Briquettes or charcoal
(with the Oven Smoker removed)
Half fill the Ozpig barrel with briquettes or charcoal
ensuring that nothing can fall out when the front
door is opened. Two options:
1. Fill a charcoal starter with either charcoal or
briquettes. Light the fuel and once fully alight
and greyed, pour over the top of the fuel in the
barrel of the Ozpig. Ensure that nothing can fall
out of the front door. Place the Oven Smoker on
the top of the Ozpig.
2. Place fire starters throughout the charcoal or
briquettes. Light the fire starters and begin the
burn down process. Once the fuel is ashed, it’s
ready. For this method, ensure that natural fire
starters are used as artificial ones will taint
the Oven Smoker. The smell and flavour will
go through the whole cook and is difficult to
remove. If using artificial fire starters make
sure the Oven Smoker is not placed on top until
they have all burnt off. Ensure that the vents
are wide open on the vented door for maximum
air flow and the chimney baffle is fully open.
Now the Oven Smoker can be brought up to
the desired temperature. If the Oven Smoker
is struggling to reach the desired temperature,
add wood to increase the temperature.
Note: Leftover charcoal and briquettes can be
re-used for a future cook. When finished cooking,
close the vents to extinguish the fire and add
them to the next batch of fuel.
