CSG teething troubles

[Billy Rhomboid]

I have just bought a CSG, based in large part on the rave reviews on here.

I have had several goes with it now and whilst it seems absolutely great while it is going, I can't seem to get it to stay alight beyond the first corner, and often not even that far.

My first attempt was with the pack of dust that was supplied with it. I also ordered the variety pack of sawdusts at the same time and have tried the whisky oak and the cherry, all with the same result.

After the first attempt I cooked off the dust in the oven for 20 mins before restarting and it was better but still only got to the first corner.

I am not a complete novice with smoking - have been cold and hot smoking charcuterie from our pigs for 5 or 6 years using a variety of Heath Robinson improvised smokers involving dustbins, beehive frames, biscuit tins, hotplates and all manner of things ranging form the unsafe to the horrendously dangerous.

But I really wanted something I could cold smoke with and safely leave overnight without constantly having to refill every three hours. From all comments the CSG seemed to fit the bill perfectly. And when its going it is great.

There must be something I am doing wrong but I can't really see what. My only thought is that the weather is too damp and humid at the moment. I have the smoker sheltered but obviously it is outside, and Somerset is a moist place. Never really had this issue before but have always been using larger smoke generators...

Anyone have any suggestions?

[wheels]

Hi

ProQ have had problems with their dust - see:

http://forum.sausagemaking.org/viewtopi ... orry#62756

You would be best to contact MacsBBQ (ProQ) direct about this.

Phil

[JollyJohn]

Hi Billy.

I had exactly the same experience, please see "smoke house too large" and "air pump smoke generator" posts in this section.

It appears that ProQ's suppliers of dust changed the spec. without telling them. Ian has apologised, and is sorting it out.

I filled the CSG at four o'clock this afternoon with some dust that I had with my old ABU smoker, I tamped it down with the end of a block of wood the same width as the CSG divisions, its still burning nicely now at nine this evening.

I'm sure I will be using the CSG for my future smoking, it seems to be working beautifully with the right dust.

It was a real bummer over the weekend, with 5kgs of Polish sausage, and two large salmon fillets in the smoke house, that my first attempt with the CSG failed because of c**p dust!

Although initially disappointed myself, I really feel sorry for Ian, to have the reputation of a product questioned because of an outside influence, must be extremely frustrating.

Watch this space, I'm sure you will eventually be happy.

John.

[beardedwonder5]

From a guy who has two woodburning stoves. The fires in these stoves vary according to atmospheric pressure. They don't go out in a depression, but they need more draught. Possible explanation??

[JollyJohn]

10.50pm and still burning nicely. Off to kip now, will update in the morning, but its looking good.

John.

[JollyJohn]

Looked in the smoke house this morning, the CSG has experienced a complete burn!

[tinca]

Looked in the smoke house this morning, the CSG has experienced a complete burn!

Well s*** in yer hat and punch it, great news now lets hope it works again gaz