by gbiggs007 » Fri May 27, 2016 12:26 am
FYI - I'm in Dallas, Texas. I have been having a very frustrating time with the ProQ going out every few minutes. I couldn't figure out if it was the sawdust, the ProQ or ventilation. Among a variety of solutions, I had previously attempted to dry the sawdust in the microwave, but only for a minute or 2 - apparently not long enough.
Last night, after my usual numerous frustrating failures, I dehydrated a new batch of sawdust in the microwave for 2 minutes, stirred it a bit and then microwaved it for 2 more. But before it was done, a few dark spots in the middle appeared and it had begun smoldering profusely in the microwave. I dumped it into the ProQ and into the ProQ and it continued smoking [a lot!]! Since the whole thing was smoldering, it was causing too much heat, so after an hour of cold smoking the salmon, I decided to make it a hot smoke by finishing it in the microwave. But now, at least, I felt hopeful about the ProQ!
So today I microwaved another new batch of sawdust again but broke up the time into smaller periods to avoid it igniting and totaling 3 minutes. After pouring it into the ProQ and leveling it [but not compacting it], I lit it with the torch and [IT STAYED LIT!], but I wanted more smoke, so I lit the other end too. It's doing so well after smoking the salmon for another hour and only 1/4 sawdust was used so I started some cheeses. I am greatly relieved to see it FINALLY working!
Sorry this is so long winded! HAPPY SMOKING!