- Joined
- Jun 10, 2019
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- Location
- Corona Del Mar, California
- Grill
- Timberline 850
I thought I'd consolidate all my information on this mod to my Timberline 850. This can be adapted to most any model grill.
Cold Smoke generators were new to me, a small external firepot that just makes smoke which is fed into a larger cold box. This is used to smoke cheese, fish, salt and spices etc. Others here added these units to to their grills to increase smoke even when cooking at higher temperatures, to be closer to a stick burner and they seem to be happy with the results.
I want it for cold smoked Salmon! Something I'll be doing as soon as it gets cooler outside.
I chose this unit because I like the compact design, simple to maintain, 10hr smoke time, coldest smoke, uses pellets that I already have (or wood chips if you like), easy to maintain, plus I wanted the stock grill cover to still fit.
Here is a good comparison of this unit vs the "Smoke Daddy Big Kahuna" generator. Both are good units and the video shows operation well.
The Timberline 850 doesn't have a ton of mounting spots, the left side was the best choice. I wanted to keep the stock shelf so I located the generator towards the back to keep the shelf more open and to make it easier to light from the back side. Since I'm not a big metal worker, and since I now have a great sheet metal shop near me, I marked the shelf where the generator top would be and had the shop cut out the square piece from the shelf.
I made a paper template of the generator and mapped the mounting spot for outside access as well as a good place for the smoke tube location inside the grill.
Link to the 3/4" metal hole saw I used to go thru the grill's outside and inside walls;
I also decided to add a thin ceramic wool gasket between the generator and the grill wall to reduce heat transfer and help seal it better from smoke leakage. I wrapped the gasket in heavy foil to contain the fibers and protect the material and my hands when handling it.
Link to the 1/8" gasket material;
Once I got the unit installed, I found that when the generator is not used, the grill tends to blow smoke and ash backwards into the unit since pellet grills are basically pressurized by their fans. I tried to cover the smoke tube but smoke still got in. In the end decided to make a solid plug for the hole. Now, when not using the Smokin-in unit, I take out its easily removeable 3/4" smoke tube and insert a solid 3/4" stainless steel rod with retainer collar. This keeps grill smoke out of the unit. I had some leftover thin 26ga stainless strip material so I made a swiveling clip to hold the plug in place better. I used an existing side wall screw that was nearby to mount it.
Link to 3/4" stainless rod piece;
Link to 3/4" stainless steel collar;
To power the generator's air pump with the same cord as the grill, I added power taps that I use for items like FireBoard, Pellet Stirring motor and this, here's the post on adding power taps;
www.traegerforum.com
Overall this was a very easy project and I can't wait for some cooler weather to really use it.
Link to the Smokein-It home;
Edit (12/5/2020) , after testing, this generator works fine with the grill OFF only, as it was designed. Many of us want to also be able to add smoke to the running grill, here's the link to jump ahead to the modded Bella "Turbo Quatro". This describes the issue and the mod;
(2) Add a "Smokin-It" Cold Smoke Generator to Timberline 850 | Page 4 | Traeger Owners Forum | Traeger Grill (traegerforum.com)
Cold Smoke generators were new to me, a small external firepot that just makes smoke which is fed into a larger cold box. This is used to smoke cheese, fish, salt and spices etc. Others here added these units to to their grills to increase smoke even when cooking at higher temperatures, to be closer to a stick burner and they seem to be happy with the results.
I want it for cold smoked Salmon! Something I'll be doing as soon as it gets cooler outside.
I chose this unit because I like the compact design, simple to maintain, 10hr smoke time, coldest smoke, uses pellets that I already have (or wood chips if you like), easy to maintain, plus I wanted the stock grill cover to still fit.
Here is a good comparison of this unit vs the "Smoke Daddy Big Kahuna" generator. Both are good units and the video shows operation well.
The Timberline 850 doesn't have a ton of mounting spots, the left side was the best choice. I wanted to keep the stock shelf so I located the generator towards the back to keep the shelf more open and to make it easier to light from the back side. Since I'm not a big metal worker, and since I now have a great sheet metal shop near me, I marked the shelf where the generator top would be and had the shop cut out the square piece from the shelf.
I made a paper template of the generator and mapped the mounting spot for outside access as well as a good place for the smoke tube location inside the grill.
Link to the 3/4" metal hole saw I used to go thru the grill's outside and inside walls;
I also decided to add a thin ceramic wool gasket between the generator and the grill wall to reduce heat transfer and help seal it better from smoke leakage. I wrapped the gasket in heavy foil to contain the fibers and protect the material and my hands when handling it.
Link to the 1/8" gasket material;
Once I got the unit installed, I found that when the generator is not used, the grill tends to blow smoke and ash backwards into the unit since pellet grills are basically pressurized by their fans. I tried to cover the smoke tube but smoke still got in. In the end decided to make a solid plug for the hole. Now, when not using the Smokin-in unit, I take out its easily removeable 3/4" smoke tube and insert a solid 3/4" stainless steel rod with retainer collar. This keeps grill smoke out of the unit. I had some leftover thin 26ga stainless strip material so I made a swiveling clip to hold the plug in place better. I used an existing side wall screw that was nearby to mount it.
Link to 3/4" stainless rod piece;
Amazon.com: 3/4" Diameter, 304 Stainless Steel Round Rod, 10" Length, Extruded, 0.75 inch Dia : Industrial & Scientific
Amazon.com: 3/4" Diameter, 304 Stainless Steel Round Rod, 10" Length, Extruded, 0.75 inch Dia : Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
Link to 3/4" stainless steel collar;
Climax Metal C-075-S Shaft Collar, One Piece, Set Screw Style, Stainless Steel, 3/4" Bore, 1-1/4" OD, 9/16" Width, With 5/16-18 Set Screw: Setscrew Shaft Collars: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Climax Metal C-075-S Shaft Collar, One Piece, Set Screw Style, Stainless Steel, 3/4" Bore, 1-1/4" OD, 9/16" Width, With 5/16-18 Set Screw: Setscrew Shaft Collars: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com
To power the generator's air pump with the same cord as the grill, I added power taps that I use for items like FireBoard, Pellet Stirring motor and this, here's the post on adding power taps;
More Power Scotty! Adding Accessory Outlets
I have been happily modding my grill, added a FireBoard2 temp monitor, a Cold Smoke Generator, and a pellet hopper stirring system. I wanted to power everything at the grill so I added adapters and splitters to allow use of a single long power cord. Everything Zip Ties to the bottom of the...
Overall this was a very easy project and I can't wait for some cooler weather to really use it.
Link to the Smokein-It home;

Edit (12/5/2020) , after testing, this generator works fine with the grill OFF only, as it was designed. Many of us want to also be able to add smoke to the running grill, here's the link to jump ahead to the modded Bella "Turbo Quatro". This describes the issue and the mod;
(2) Add a "Smokin-It" Cold Smoke Generator to Timberline 850 | Page 4 | Traeger Owners Forum | Traeger Grill (traegerforum.com)
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Pellet Access Hatch.JPG149.9 KB · Views: 569
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Foil Clad Isolation Gasket.JPG139.7 KB · Views: 574
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Accessory Outlets.jpg349.2 KB · Views: 570
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IMG_8133.JPG204.9 KB · Views: 580
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