Smoke Tube Suggestions & Trips

[Parrothead1809]

After spending the summer honing my game with my Traeger, I think I want to explore using a smoke tube to get more smoke flavor.
- Whose tube do you have (I see several on Amazon)? Would your get it again?
- Do you use wood chips or pellets or a mix?
- Do you use the same type of wood that you have in the Traeger hopper, or do you mix?
- Do you keep the tube smoking for the entire cook, or do you pull it out after an hour or two?

Any suggestions welcome!
-PH

 

[MidwestSmoker]

I'll try to answer each question.

After spending the summer honing my game with my Traeger, I think I want to explore using a smoke tube to get more smoke flavor.
- Whose tube do you have (I see several on Amazon)? Would your get it again?

I think they are all the same. Buy the cheapest one available. I believe I got 2 of these and they work great: https://www.amazon.com/Pellet-Smoker-Tube-Stainless-Generator/dp/B07JGVBKN3/

- Do you use wood chips or pellets or a mix?

I only use wood chips but others use a mix of both.- Do you use the same type of wood that you have in the Traeger hopper, or do you mix?

Do you use the same type of wood that you have in the Traeger hopper, or do you mix?

I don't think the flavor of the pellets does much so I don't pay attention to that. It is the flavor of the chips that I choose carefully for each cook.

- Do you keep the tube smoking for the entire cook, or do you pull it out after an hour or two?

The meat absorbs smoke flavors for only 3-4 hours. From experience I know that my smoke tubes last for about 2 hours (if you mix in pellets I think they will last longer). So after 2 hours I swap the first one and put in the second one and that is it.

 

[tomhooper]

I just use a garden variety smoke tube I bought on Amazon.
Also just use pellets. Same ones I cook with. Mainly because I'm lazy.
I light tube and shut the pit. I normally don't open my pit while cooking so I take the tube out when I finally do open it up. "If you're looking, you ain't cooking".

 

[RayClem]

Since you have the Pro 575 a single tube might be enough. I decided on two tubes for my IW885 since it is a little larger. It was only a couple of dollars more to add a second tube, so you might want to consider that option.

https://www.amazon.com/Lovefish-Pellet-Stainless-Brushes-Smoking/dp/B08JGKK2C7/

 

[Slimpicker]

That's the exact one I bought.... twice...

 

[Slimpicker]

View attachment 9956 That's the exact one I bought.... twice...

You bought them twice? Did one set break or something???

 

[Slimpicker]

You bought them twice? Did one set break or something???

NOPE, still using the first set, but now I'm fixed for life!!!

 

[Slimpicker]

I got me some nice burned up apple wood blocks from propping smoke tubes up...

 

[Parrothead1809]

Last question (for now ): can I light them with a standard grill lighter, or do I really need a torch? [insert Tim the Tool Man grunts here].

-PH

 

[MidwestSmoker]

Last question (for now ): can I light them with a standard grill lighter, or do I really need a torch? [insert Tim the Tool Man grunts here].

-PH

You can use the grill lighter which is what I did at first. But then I bought a mini torch and it is much better with that!

 

[Slimpicker]

torch

 

[Parrothead1809]

Which torch? I see a bunch on Amazon from mid teens on up!

 

[MidwestSmoker]

If all you want to do is light a smoke tube, the cheapest is fine. I got something a little more capable so I can use it to light my fire pit and other uses.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HVZR3DI/

 

[Slimpicker]

I just happen to have a few for doing plumbing and such... so I use them.. and propane

 

[Murphy's Law]

Last question (for now ): can I light them with a standard grill lighter, or do I really need a torch? [insert Tim the Tool Man grunts here].

-PH

You're playing with fire, son...get the biggest, baddest fire maker you can afford! There is no overkill!!