The Texas BBQ Forum

I have a vertical electric smoker. It is about 5 years old. I have been having issues this spring getting smoke. I’ve tried multiple Woods(cherry, apple, pecan). I use chips. I recently switched to using a disposable aluminum tray for my chips. This is right about the same time I started getting lack of smoke. I don’t think the aluminum tray would be a huge issue, but maybe it doesn’t get hot enough? Any thoughts?

What brand of smoker do you have? The layout of the heating elements in these electric smokers varies from brand to brand. Your instinct is right in thinking it may be the aluminum pan. Although if it is placed correctly it should be thin enough to transmit the heat through to the chips.

Might try wrapping the wood chips in foil and poking a few holes.

smellthatsmoke wrote:What brand of smoker do you have? The layout of the heating elements in these electric smokers varies from brand to brand. Your instinct is right in thinking it may be the aluminum pan. Although if it is placed correctly it should be thin enough to transmit the heat through to the chips.

I don’t have the brand on me now as I am out of town. The element is on the bottom and I place the pan right above it. I always got really good smoke with my old pan. It just was old and not in great shape. It looked like this.....

https://www.amazon.com/Broil-Master-DPA ... +wood+tray


I’m thinking that might conduct the heat better to get the chips smoking.

The picture you posted is of a cast iron smoke box meant to go on a gas grill. I have one and have used it on my grill many times. If the chip tray in your smoker looked anything like this then I agree with what limey posted. A piece of heavy duty foil wrapped around wood chips with holes poked in it might solve your smoke issue.