This information may be useful to anyone with a similar inexpensive propane fueled cabinet smoker. I picked this one up on Facebook Marketplace for $80. I wanted it to play around with cold smoking, making jerky, finishing long cooks after the wrap and possibly to use as a warming/holding unit.
I have a complete detailed timeline write up for anyone who is interested (just pm me) but I thought I would just share a summary and some observations with the pit at large.
- Weather - Temps started at 62℉ with a slight breeze and gusts up to 11 MPH
- Cooker started in the shade and eventually wound up in warm sun as the temps rose to about 70℉
- With the temp controller at it's lowest setting (0%) the lowest temp I could achieve were 144.7℉ (top) 146.4℉ (middle) 144.2℉ (bottom) with the 2 dampers fully open. Outside temp was 67℉ by this point.
- Closing the dampers almost always raised the temps.
- With the temp controller set at 25% of max (the pit still uses the small burner) temps were 151.7℉ (top) 155.4℉ (middle) 150.8℉. Dampers both still set to 100% open. Outside temp 70℉.
- With the temp controller set at 50% of max the second burner kicked on. Temps were 242.0℉ (top) 246.0℉ (middle) 235.7℉ (bottom)
- Closing the dampers had the anticipated effect. Temps went up with the middle shelf being the hottest by 10℉ - 13℉ . 248.9℉ (top) 259.4℉ (middle) 246.97℉ (bottom)
- With the temp controller set at 75% of max and dampers 100% open, temps were 267.2℉ (top) 269.5℉ (middle) 252.1℉
- Closing the dampers brought the temps up as expected 265.6℉ (top) 277.7℉ (middle) 261.6℉ (bottom)
- With the temp controller set at 100% of max and dampers still closed there was surprisingly little change in temps 267.0℉ (top) 277.8℉ (middle) 256.1℉ (bottom)
- Opening the dampers 100%, temps were 271.1℉ (top) 278.0℉ (middle) 262.1℉ (bottom)
- Pulled the wood chip drawer to see if that made a difference, but it was negligible. Temps were 264.2℉ (top) 280.3℉ (middle) 268.5℉ (bottom)
- The temp range is not as advertised. (not surprised)
- This cooker should work for fish, making jerky and for finishing long cooks after the wrap.
- It has the potential to be used as a warming unit in cooler weather.
- The temp difference is pretty small top to bottom, especially at lower temps.
- I was surprised that the middle shelf was usually the hot spot. I thought it would have been the top shelf.
- It held temps pretty well and it responded quickly to changes. Weather condition will affect that, but it should be manageable.
- I should be able to use it for cold smoking, but will need a smoke tube or other smoke generator as even at its lowest setting it is too warm.
- For $80, I'm happy.