Thanks for checking out this video! If you want to support the channel, make sure to Like and Subscribe. Hit the notification bell as well, that way you know when new content hits the channel. I publish new content weekly. If you are food enthusiast like me, and enjoy sharing your cooks with or getting/sharing some tips from like minded people, you should come over to American Smoke Carnivores on Facebook. This is my group and I'm in there everyday. I'll see you in there! Smoke on!!!
Hey Zach! I just smoker two turkeys for Thanksgiving. I have a Pit Boss vertical smoker and a smoke tube. I'd thought about using wood chips in the smoke tube for some time now, but never tried it until now. The difference was, I was thinking chips INSTEAD of pellets in the tube. But your suggestion of mixing the two made more sense to me. I have to tell you, the turkeys stole the show! The mix in the tube did burn faster, but I was okay with that. I wanted the extra smoke for the early part of the cook. Thanks for the tip!
I just use a small 8” stainless saucepan with about 4 pieces of charcoal and three or four soaked wood chunks on top of them. I have a smoker tube just haven’t used it yet. I just got my pit boss two weeks ago and watched a ton of videos getting ideas on how to best use it. I saw a lot of people saying that smoke tubes don’t really help much and that actual wood chunks give off a much better smoke flavor and it’s worked good for me so far. I decided to use hickory in anticipation of a light smokey flavor and it’s worked out really well for me. So far I’ve done some smoked burgers that I put a heavy smoke on because of the shorter cooking time and last weekend I did a pork butt. I went lighter on the smoke on the pork butt because of the longer cook time and it turned out really nice too. I figure if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, I might try a smoke tube one day if I don’t have any wood chunks around.
Thanks for the vid I was thinking this was a viable option being in the northeast UK I don't have tons of days where it doesn't rain so my experimenting is time limited
Hi Zach, I'm a new subscriber and I just bought a Pit Boss Pro. Looks like I need to get a smoke tube and mix my pellets and chips to get better smoke. Thanks for all of the hints you publish.
Welcome to the channel! Tinker around with it and figure out how you like it. That’s the best thing about making our own bbq! We can learn to make it how we like it!!!
Thanks great idea I picked up that exact tube at Lowe’s branded as pit boss to run some cold smoke for a sausage cure so I ran a test tonight and that smoke tube with pellets made the nastiest creosote gummy mess in my smoker !! It was way too much dirty smoke I wouldn’t want that on my food. I will test this method tomorrow I have seen people grinding the pellets in hot water and cooking the water out on a tray and using the dust to get a clean blue smoke but that thing with packed pellets was an absolute fail tonight and was way too much smoke
I’ve not done cold smoking. With the unit running it’s going to keep the air moving and reduce or eliminate the bitter taste. I’m. It sure about the water thing. Let me know if you give it a try. Thanks for watching! Smoke on!!!
I’ve heard that the pellets don’t actually burn hot enough to give off a good clean smoke in a smoke tube, I don’t know if that’s true or not, I haven’t used a smoke tube yet, just been putting a couple of wood chunks on top of a few pieces of charcoal and it’s worked well for me. I just get everything burning good in my charcoal starting tube then place them in a small saucepan with the charcoal on bottom.
Not sure that you'll see this, but I just bought a a Pitboss Smoker from Lowes 2 days ago. While there I also bought 2 smoke tubes and they are the Amazen brand. Just clicked on this video to see your tips on the tube and thought it was funny that I happened to buy that brand. Anyways if you need more, seems like Lowes is carrying them. Thanks for the tips. Wish me luck on my first cook tonight. 😂
@@TheAmericanSmoke I heard someone once talk about keeping the pellets dry and figured why not microwave or bake them to remove excess moisture to promote a faster cleaner burn.
Have you tried a stick burner? It's a labor of love if you are a hands-off bbq enthusiast, but it's fun if you enjoy the flames, stoking the fire, etc. But the results are better then a pellet smoker with a smoke tube. I own a Traeger and an OK Joes stick burner, and the stick burner is simply superior with flavor, smoke, and bark. I use my Traeger for shorter cooks because I've found it simply can't do as good of bbq with long cooks as my stick burner. Thanks for your videos.
I’ve been around stick burner cooks and helped manage a few fires. I’ve never had one myself though. I’m currently researching them and working out a budget. (That means I’ll buy one in about two years) 😅 You’re right about the quality of the Q. It’s what all other types of cookers strive to replicate. Thanks for watching! Smoke on!!!
I got the basket instead of the tube. Do I light the pellets before I put it in the smoker? Also can I use wood chunks in it and if so do I lite those also? Sorry new to the smoking world and just got my first pitboss pro series smoker.
Light the pellets before closing the smoker door. The need more air to burn than to smolder. Let them burn for 7-10 minutes then it’s ok to close them up in the smoker. I have not used chunks in my bracket yet, but I intend to try it. Come over to my Facebook group. American Smoke Carnivores. Lots of people in there sharing tips and recipes. Thanks for watching! Smoke on!!!
enjoy your videos as i recently purchased the pit boss vertical like what you are using. do o use the same flavor pellets in the tube as what you have in the hopper? or do you mix and match? also i have seen some videos where they are using a charcoal blend, i dont know that i want to risk experimenting thats why i watch you as you have learned from your mistakes and share that. so- all that being said what is your take on the different flavors of pellets ie charcoal blend?
Typically I use a blend such as Pit Boss Competition blend in my hopper, occasionally mixed with 1/3-1/2 charcoal blend. For my tube I use whatever flavor I want to emphasize. So if I’m smoking a pork loin and want apple wood smoke to stand out, that’s what I put into the tube. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching!
@@81carters that’s true, but I have to add garlic as well. However, it’s always fun to try new flavors. Thanks for watching and for leaving a comment. Smoke on!!!
You do realize that the pellets you are using are not 100% Apple? They're a blend of "hardwoods" and Apple. Notice the label says 100% real hardwood - not 100% Apple Wood. So by using chips, you're just adding the real flavor back in. The packaging on pellets IMO is misleading. It should say what percentages of specific kind of woods are in the blend. I've read that many could be 60% and higher from other woods - usually Oak. I noticed this immediately after grilling mesquite tenderloins on my Weber Kettle with real mesquite chips for years and switching to a Traeger. The flavor was essentially gone. Some manufactures even resort to flavorings or flavored oil as a binder. Fortunately, there are a few vendors who sell 100% true (non-blend) pellets. Lumberjack is one, Knotty Wood is another. You'll get the real flavor you're looking for using these. I also just picked up a bag of Royal Oak charcoal pellets and am looking forward to testing them in combination with my favorite 100% pellets. I recently purchased a Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill, and the flavor (or lack thereof when using non 100% pellets) is pronounced.
Thanks for checking out this video! If you want to support the channel, make sure to Like and Subscribe. Hit the notification bell as well, that way you know when new content hits the channel. I publish new content weekly. If you are food enthusiast like me, and enjoy sharing your cooks with or getting/sharing some tips from like minded people, you should come over to American Smoke Carnivores on Facebook. This is my group and I'm in there everyday. I'll see you in there! Smoke on!!!
Hey Zach!
I just smoker two turkeys for Thanksgiving. I have a Pit Boss vertical smoker and a smoke tube. I'd thought about using wood chips in the smoke tube for some time now, but never tried it until now. The difference was, I was thinking chips INSTEAD of pellets in the tube. But your suggestion of mixing the two made more sense to me. I have to tell you, the turkeys stole the show! The mix in the tube did burn faster, but I was okay with that. I wanted the extra smoke for the early part of the cook. Thanks for the tip!
Congratulations on the successful Cook! That is such a good feeling. Happy holidays to you and your family and Smoke on!
I just use a small 8” stainless saucepan with about 4 pieces of charcoal and three or four soaked wood chunks on top of them. I have a smoker tube just haven’t used it yet. I just got my pit boss two weeks ago and watched a ton of videos getting ideas on how to best use it. I saw a lot of people saying that smoke tubes don’t really help much and that actual wood chunks give off a much better smoke flavor and it’s worked good for me so far. I decided to use hickory in anticipation of a light smokey flavor and it’s worked out really well for me. So far I’ve done some smoked burgers that I put a heavy smoke on because of the shorter cooking time and last weekend I did a pork butt. I went lighter on the smoke on the pork butt because of the longer cook time and it turned out really nice too. I figure if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, I might try a smoke tube one day if I don’t have any wood chunks around.
Great tips. Thanks for watching and for leaving the comments. Smoke on!!!
YOUR Sound EFFECTS are Great... Keep Filming.
AND Your Filming/Editing is GREAT... Thank your Wife also.
Thanks for the awesome feedback! Thanks for watching. Smoke on!!!
Epic video. Great idea about putting in wood chips!
I can't take full credit. One of my awesome subs recommended it. Thanks for stopping by Grill Sergeant. Always welcome! Smoke on
Awesome sharing brother 👍
Thanks!
I just ran into this problem with wood chips. I knew you would have a great solution. Thanks I’ve have learnt a lot from your videos.
I’m glad I could help! Thanks for watching. Smoke on!!!
Love using a smoke tube use it in all most every cook I do on my pellet smoker
They are hands-down, the easiest way to get a little extra smoke flavor on your food. Thanks for watching. Smoke on!!!
Thanks for the vid I was thinking this was a viable option being in the northeast UK I don't have tons of days where it doesn't rain so my experimenting is time limited
Glad to help! Thanks for watching. Smoke on!!!
Go Blue! Great video, going to try this technique tomorrow on my brisket.
Thanks for watching! Smoke on!!!
Hi Zach, I'm a new subscriber and I just bought a Pit Boss Pro. Looks like I need to get a smoke tube and mix my pellets and chips to get better smoke. Thanks for all of the hints you publish.
Welcome to the channel! Tinker around with it and figure out how you like it. That’s the best thing about making our own bbq! We can learn to make it how we like it!!!
Thanks great idea I picked up that exact tube at Lowe’s branded as pit boss to run some cold smoke for a sausage cure so I ran a test tonight and that smoke tube with pellets made the nastiest creosote gummy mess in my smoker !! It was way too much dirty smoke I wouldn’t want that on my food. I will test this method tomorrow I have seen people grinding the pellets in hot water and cooking the water out on a tray and using the dust to get a clean blue smoke but that thing with packed pellets was an absolute fail tonight and was way too much smoke
I’ve not done cold smoking. With the unit running it’s going to keep the air moving and reduce or eliminate the bitter taste. I’m. It sure about the water thing. Let me know if you give it a try.
Thanks for watching! Smoke on!!!
I’ve heard that the pellets don’t actually burn hot enough to give off a good clean smoke in a smoke tube, I don’t know if that’s true or not, I haven’t used a smoke tube yet, just been putting a couple of wood chunks on top of a few pieces of charcoal and it’s worked well for me. I just get everything burning good in my charcoal starting tube then place them in a small saucepan with the charcoal on bottom.
Thanks, I’m gonna try try that
Smoke on!!!
nice info, I have a lot of chips from my last smoker left over, now i will use them also
Produces a nice extra kick of smoke flavor. Thanks for watching!
I run 2 smoke tube in my Vert, Hort Smoker's. When one burns out, I just light the other one.
Ahhh… wisdom
Thank you for this video...
Good to Know
I’m glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching! Smoke on!!!
Not sure that you'll see this, but I just bought a a Pitboss Smoker from Lowes 2 days ago. While there I also bought 2 smoke tubes and they are the Amazen brand. Just clicked on this video to see your tips on the tube and thought it was funny that I happened to buy that brand. Anyways if you need more, seems like Lowes is carrying them. Thanks for the tips. Wish me luck on my first cook tonight. 😂
Thanks for the info. How did your cook turn out?
3:34 Trying to load the tube. This is why I'll never own one, but I love my smoker box. Open lid, dump chips, pour whiskey.
Meh… it’s a mild inconvenience at best. First world problems, and all.
Do you run a pellet smoker?
thanks for the tip
You bet!
Microwave the pellets for a few minutes to get more moisture out of the pellets to improve the burn.
How in the world did you come up with that? Very interesting
@@TheAmericanSmoke I heard someone once talk about keeping the pellets dry and figured why not microwave or bake them to remove excess moisture to promote a faster cleaner burn.
@@mrsparefox3704 so you have done this and feel there is a benefit?
@@TheAmericanSmoke The pellets seem to light easier and stay lit longer to build a nice amount of hot coals.
Awesome as usual
I really like this method. Thanks for watching and smoke on!!!
Do you just light the pellets and let it burn? I have a smoke box and use charcoal but only get about 1.5 to 2 houra of smoke from it
Have you tried a stick burner? It's a labor of love if you are a hands-off bbq enthusiast, but it's fun if you enjoy the flames, stoking the fire, etc. But the results are better then a pellet smoker with a smoke tube. I own a Traeger and an OK Joes stick burner, and the stick burner is simply superior with flavor, smoke, and bark. I use my Traeger for shorter cooks because I've found it simply can't do as good of bbq with long cooks as my stick burner. Thanks for your videos.
I’ve been around stick burner cooks and helped manage a few fires. I’ve never had one myself though. I’m currently researching them and working out a budget. (That means I’ll buy one in about two years) 😅
You’re right about the quality of the Q. It’s what all other types of cookers strive to replicate.
Thanks for watching! Smoke on!!!
I just saw smoke tubes for sale at the local Lowes
Time to tube up!
I got the basket instead of the tube. Do I light the pellets before I put it in the smoker? Also can I use wood chunks in it and if so do I lite those also? Sorry new to the smoking world and just got my first pitboss pro series smoker.
Light the pellets before closing the smoker door. The need more air to burn than to smolder. Let them burn for 7-10 minutes then it’s ok to close them up in the smoker. I have not used chunks in my bracket yet, but I intend to try it. Come over to my Facebook group. American Smoke Carnivores. Lots of people in there sharing tips and recipes.
Thanks for watching! Smoke on!!!
enjoy your videos as i recently purchased the pit boss vertical like what you are using. do o use the same flavor pellets in the tube as what you have in the hopper? or do you mix and match? also i have seen some videos where they are using a charcoal blend, i dont know that i want to risk experimenting thats why i watch you as you have learned from your mistakes and share that. so- all that being said what is your take on the different flavors of pellets ie charcoal blend?
Typically I use a blend such as Pit Boss Competition blend in my hopper, occasionally mixed with 1/3-1/2 charcoal blend. For my tube I use whatever flavor I want to emphasize. So if I’m smoking a pork loin and want apple wood smoke to stand out, that’s what I put into the tube.
I hope this helps.
Thanks for watching!
Come over to American Smoke Carnivores on Facebook. Lost of people to learn from, or teach, depending on personal experience.
I just bought mine at Lowe’s.
Good to know!
Did you ever get the new digital controller to work on your Pit Boos cabinet?
No. Spoke with them 3 days ago. Still on back order. Just making it work
Products still not available. I just got a Kingsford since it was $13. Only 8" but whatever lol. It's just supplemental.
As far as I can tell, a smoke tube is a smoke tube.
Nice video, bud! I have tried bunch of different steak rubs myself, but nothing seems to beat kosher and 16 mesh pepper! Smoke on!!
@@81carters that’s true, but I have to add garlic as well. However, it’s always fun to try new flavors. Thanks for watching and for leaving a comment. Smoke on!!!
Great video...... But dude it's so hard to watch with that "Roll Tide" shirt on. 😂😂. GO 🐊
I get what you’re saying. I need me some Roll Tide pants. I’ll work on that. 😂Thanks for watching! Roll Tide and Smoke on!!!
You do realize that the pellets you are using are not 100% Apple? They're a blend of "hardwoods" and Apple. Notice the label says 100% real hardwood - not 100% Apple Wood. So by using chips, you're just adding the real flavor back in. The packaging on pellets IMO is misleading. It should say what percentages of specific kind of woods are in the blend. I've read that many could be 60% and higher from other woods - usually Oak. I noticed this immediately after grilling mesquite tenderloins on my Weber Kettle with real mesquite chips for years and switching to a Traeger. The flavor was essentially gone. Some manufactures even resort to flavorings or flavored oil as a binder. Fortunately, there are a few vendors who sell 100% true (non-blend) pellets. Lumberjack is one, Knotty Wood is another. You'll get the real flavor you're looking for using these. I also just picked up a bag of Royal Oak charcoal pellets and am looking forward to testing them in combination with my favorite 100% pellets. I recently purchased a Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill, and the flavor (or lack thereof when using non 100% pellets) is pronounced.
Thanks for the info. I’ve never tried lumberjack.
Roll Tide
That’s a big Roll Tide!
Have you just used chips to fill tube if so what's the smolder time and flavor result? Thanks Don
Never done all chips. They would probably burn up in about 20 minutes. I’ll run a test.
@American Smoke Thanks, I will be using a tube and I'll wait for your results.
@@TheAmericanSmoke if you want to add soak flavor to burgers or a nice steak, that’s all the time you need 20 minutes or less we do it👍