Don't have a microwave... Any other way to dry out the pellets/chunks for the cold smoker?

[Bunji]

Hey all! I haven't used my cold smoke attachment in a while, because every time I would try, I would get smoke for a little while, and then it would either go out, or all the pellets would sort of gum-up at the bottom and become a huge pain to clean. I'm thinking that there was just too much moisture in them. I have seen recommendations to dry the pellets/chunks by sticking them in the microwave before using them. Unfortunately I don't have a microwave, so that option is out. Any other suggestions? Or perhaps recommendations on brands of pellets/chunks that might not require this initial step? Thanks!

[Syzygies]

How low does your (convection?) oven go? We can all imagine the obvious worst case scenario here, but if you don't bump the knob your house shouldn't burn down.

The obvious choice (safer but more work): your KK is an oven. As it cools after a regular cook, use it to dry pellets? I have a KK double bottom drip pan which I use all the time as a heat deflector; on the main rack filled with pellets, once the KK cooled far enough, would be a great drying environment.

[5698k]

I bought a higher volume air pump and haven’t had further issues.


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[Cheesehead_Griller]

Next time you cook on your KK, put the pellets and or chunks on one of the grates away from the direct heat. Works great for wood. Never tried it with pellets but I assume the same results would occur. Like above me stated, turn the air pump on full power. I never have issues keeping wood chips lit. Note, I never dry them out either. 

[Bunji]

Great tips, thanks everyone! I can’t believe i never thought to put the pellets in the KK to dry. I guess I assumed it was too moist an environment in there, but I’ll give it a shot.

@5698k do you have a recommendation on a new pump? I actually just remembered that another reason it’s been a while is because the pump I was using had died on me at some point

[5698k]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285163896397?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=skpHtupBSOG&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=OTJWv7LiRYq&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

This is what I got, the biggest difference is the output, makes a big difference in keeping things lit.


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[Bunji]

Thanks! That looks like a major power bump over the original. Do you run it at full blast?

[5698k]

No, i turn off all but one valve, then close the last one about half. I could probably close it more, but I’m liking not having to check if it’s still lit.


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[DennisLinkletter]

When playing with the generator while testing, we found we liked the smoke created at medium to lower temps more than high temps, and your wood lasts longer.  I  generally use about 40% airflow.. But my 220v version may not be the same volume as 110v (they are from China)  
The 6w version of this is convenient as it is cordless and charges with a USB cable.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGR9BMCM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&amp=undefined&th=1

Wood starts to smoke about 450ºf, so 250-300º should be fine to dry it out. You only need the wood to get over 212ºf to vaporize the water.