Brand New Model 3!

[RunItRagged]

My brother bought one a model 2, 3 months ago.  I was super impressed.  For 15 years, I've been babysitting my NBBD during smokes.  It was tuned for 225F but still there is the refilling the wood box (babysitting).  6 butts would take 12-14 hours and a case of beer.
Ordered this Model 3.  It was shipped Super Fast.  The packing was superb.  Literally no chance of transit damage.  This is one impressive unit!
Got it seasoned and am now in the process of smoking a half ham and a whole chicken.  About 15 minutes in, Acrid yellow smoke came pouring out.  You guessed it ...  The included Hickory pegs caught fire. Stuck on Ove Gloves and removed the chunks.  rubbed out the fire and replaced just one of the chunks.  Still it caught on fire. 
Would wrapping the chunks in foil help?

I guess I'll answer my own question...  YES!  Foil works perfectly.  No more fires and just sweet white smoke that seems to last longer.

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[old sarge]

Just a quick question:  When you smoke, is the weather windy?  If so, that could be part of the flame problem, as the wind moves quickly over and under the smoker, increasing draft and flow. Your wrapping with foil helps to restrict the air from reaching the wood embers and thereby stops the flames.  Just a thought.

[RunItRagged]

Thanks for the reply.
Yes, Sarge, it was windy.  I think I'll stick with the wrapping, though.  The next day the weather was calm.  4 full racks of ribs went in with the wrapped chunks.  It seems to smooth out the process as the smoke stays steady.  No ash, either.
Know anything about the the rib hooks?  I'm trying to figure out how many racks I can get in by hanging or using one of those "slanty" things.

[old sarge]

Whatever works is good.  And you have one less item needing cleaning to boot!

[Thin Blue]

I keep the wood chunks as far away from the grease drain hole in the bottom of my #3 as I can.
I have not had a problem with the chunks catching fire, so far.
The air coming through the drain hole could help fan the wood chunks increasing the possibility of a chunk or chunks catching fire.

[swthorpe]

I have not tried foiling the wood chunks.  Do you just punch a bunch of holes in the top of the foil, or leave it partially open?

[DivotMaker]

I've done probably 15 smokes in my #1, and have never had wood catch fire.  I used the Smokin-It dowels for hickory, and Fruitawood chunks for fruit wood.  I usually put the chunks near the back of the smoke box, make sure my drain hole is open, and try to not open the door during a cook.  Curious - did you open the door before the dowels caught fire?  That's a lot of oxygen rushing into a air-controlled environment.

Congrats on the new #3!  Lots of good times ahead of you!  Throw some pics up when you can, and hang out here when able.  Welcome to the club!

[DivotMaker]

One more thing, Runit, I started a thread to help Steve see where folks found out about our units:

http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=806.0

Check it out, if you'd like, and post your experience!  Thanks!

[bigboy74]

Welcome to the forum and happy smoking!