Cold smoke generator problems

[robgunby]

I've built a venturi type generator as per https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDcfAWf_6rM but am having great difficulties getting it going - or rather, keeping it going. I light it, I get a wonderful, gentle wisp of cool white smoke at the other end. Then it goes out.

I've tried a more powerful aquarium pump (£25!!!) and still no joy. The only thing that gets it going is an airbed pump that runs on 4 D batteries - but this is way over the top, and produces waaay too much smoke - and too much heat.

So I have two questions for anyone with experience with these generators, or indeed cold smoking:

1) Is there anything I can do to make my current aquarium pump setup keep burning?

2) If not, can I cold smoke by keeping the outlet vent on the smoker chamber closed, and blasting with the higher power pump it every hour for a couple of minutes? Will this have the same effect?

ETA - could I drop a smouldering piece of charcoal in the bottom of the can and dump sawdust on top maybe?

[robgunby]

Other option is to fork out on a ProQ generator - at £33, it's only £8 more than I paid for the pump (which I can return). Can anyone testify to the effectiveness of these?

Or give this a go... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE7FJjmCZFY

[CyderPig]

Hi Rob
When using my venturi set up I drop 4 pieces of well lit charcoal in the bottom of the can, fill with sawdust to just below the pipe attached to the pump and start her up.
Depending on the size of the can decrease the amount of lit charcoal.
Give me a bell it's easier to explain that way.
Cheers
Si

[robgunby]

Nice one cheers Si

I tried all sorts, sticking a solder iron in there and everything. I didn't want to bug you after all the help you've given me recently! I'll probably start with just one or two pieces of charcoal as the can is just a cat food can (I've got an extension for the top if I need it).

Of course, this does pose me a further problem though. If I'm lighting some charcoal I'm gonna have to hot smoke something too to use up the rest of the chimney I made..... meaning I need a second UDS!

[CyderPig]

Hi Mate
Just put a few small lumps in the starter and a lighter cube underneath.
Si

[robgunby]

Awww, you spoilt my fun of rationalising building a second UDS to my wife

On a serious note though, I got some firelighters in France this year that were seemingly chemical free - no smell whatsoever, like they were just made from compressed board or something. I don't normally use firelighters cause I hate using chemical to start a fire, but these were great! I've not come across them in UK shops, but eyes peeled! They're brown in colour.

I'm guessing it's these http://www.tigertimproducts.co.uk/woode ... hters.html

[derekmiller]

Rob, yes I can testify to the CSG working fine.
We smoke eggs, cheese, trout, salmon, tangerines (for marmalade) on it regularly.
Will be curing and smoking a ham with it next week.
But I think it would be nice if you could fix the venturi.
Derek.

[Chris__M]

Other option is to fork out on a ProQ generator - at £33, it's only £8 more than I paid for the pump (which I can return).

I'm using the ProQ Cold Smoker all the time - mainly for cheese, but also for butter and nuts. Works a charm.

[robgunby]

I'll see how I go with the generator I've half-built to Si's specifications first, a ProQ generator might be a nice treat further down the line. I just crippled myself financially making some schoolboy errors building my UDS, plus my remote thermometer probe has decided to give up the ghost a week before a hot smoke is due

21st Century Barbecue Problems eh?

[keith157]

Rob, a daft point but could the sawdust be damp? I ask this as I have had this problem with the ProQ, starts nicely then goes out. I now put the filled ProQ into a heated but switched off oven for 10 minutes before using.