First post on this forum, so kind of an Introduction too. I apologize for this being long-winded in advance.
I had a Brinkman charcoal stack smoker for about 8 years and loved it. I have 3 kids though, a 12, 9, and 1 year old. With the baby, and the older kids sports, the charcoal smoker was a little time consuming. I had it dialed though, and made delicious Ribs, Brisket, Chicken, etc. Usually was a combo of smoker, oven, and then Weber Prooane Grill.
So, my wife said if I get rid of the charcoal smoker and my old Weber Kettle, I could get a Traeger. Found the Silverton 620 at Costco and grabbed it. Figured the wifi,, and being able to "set it and forget it" (within reason), would allow me to do a little more smoke cooking. Brought it home, put it togethor, seasoned it, and then did some chicken just to try it out. Chicken was fine, no smoke flavor, which I was disappointed with. Did some research on here, and found that maybe I need to cook at a lower temp for a bit first.
This thing has me so frustrated. I bought a smoker tube, bought the "better" pellets in multiple flavors, have cooked at the lowest setting possible for an hour or two. No matter what I do, there is literally no smoke flavor. None. Everything tastes like it came from the oven or a propane grill. We entertain quite a bit, and everyone who has eaten the food agrees, tastes fine but no smoke. I have cooked on it probably 40 - 50 times now, everything from ribs, steaks (reverse seared), chicken, vegetables. I cook so much on it because now it's like a challenge...how the heck do I get some smoke on some food! Ideally it would be great to be able to control the smoke. Have a little on this meal, none on that meal, and a ton on this other meal. But I can't figure out how to get even a little on anything.
This past weekend I did a 7 Lb. Pork shoulder for 10 hours at 250, with the smoker tube going for 4.5 of those hours. Had a great crust, smoke ring was excellent, over a half inch. I was excited. Shredded it up, added some juices back...no smoke, not even a bit. My wife doesn't like a lot of smoke, but she does like a little. When she tasted, I knew by the look she gave me (you know that one, when they know you are going to be pissed), that there was no smoke. I tasted it, and sure enough, tasted like crock pot pulled pork.
As previously mentioned, I feel like I have researched, experimented, got the smoker tube, and I just can't figure how to get any smoke flavor from this thing. I am about to take it back to Costco, but just wanted to see if any of you all had any other suggestions/recommendations, etc., before I do.
Anyways, thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for any responses. More of a rant/vent than anything. Just hoping someone has an idea for me so I don't have to take this thing back.
