Large puffs of smoke while seasoning?

[epr25]

I’m seasoning my smoker it’s been running for about an hour now. There are 2 blocks of the provided wood in the smoke house the temp is set at 250 as instructed. Twice the smoker has done a large puff or whoosh of smoke. Is this normal? Or is this just part of the first time seasoning?

 

[mike1910]

I’m not expert when it comes to this but I think you’re describing the ‘belch.’ And yes it’s normal. There’s a few different theories about if it’s wood catching fire or gasses exploding etc. Either way, I wouldn’t worry.

 

[swthorpe]

Yes, this sounds like what we have lovingly call "the belch".  It is typically caused by dry wood that catches fire when the heat gets to about 180 or so in the smoker.  After the belch, the wood should smoke fine.  You can find lots of posts on the discussion board about what others have tried to minimize the belch, such as foil wrapping the wood, or using wood chunks with a higher moisture content.

 

[Pork Belly]

Stop watching your smoker. Put wood in, set the temp and walk away. Watching smoke and temps will make you crazy.