The Smokai Cold Smoke Generator: Unboxing and Testing

[@geoffmesser5091]

Thanks. Recently bought a 1 litre model with the rechargeable battery pump to fit my Weber Q for hot and cold smoking. I’m no cheap arse and was more than happy to pay the price for the quality. I’ll probably buy another, larger unit later but, for now, the 1 litre is a good compromise - large enough to work with the Weber Q but small enough to take camping and use with the small Weber and I can recharge the pump from the camper batteries.

[@Coldsmoking]

sounds like you have just the right smoke generator for your setup. are you using wood chips or pellets???

[@geoffmesser5091]

@@Coldsmoking my limited smoking experience has been with a traditional old kipper box with sawdust over a small metho burner so I bought a few small packs of both in diffent woods to see what works best. I’ll reply once I’ve had a bit more practice. I do note that Smokai advises against using one pellet brand because of a vegetable oil used in manufacture … I guess as a binder.

[@Coldsmoking]

@@geoffmesser5091 good luck

[@LittleBearBBQ_Food_Original]

Thank You for the informative and interesting video on the Smokai CSG's. I have dabbled with making a 'Heath Robinson' Venturi version of such things but my DIY "Skills" are...Ummm.... Looking forward to seeing what You do with the Smokai in future videos and Kudos to Clive for bringing it back from Aus.

[@Coldsmoking]

Cheers, Clive is a good bloke for doing that. I'm going to put out a smokai update in the next couple of days so keep an eye out.

[@David-qd3ff]

Had mine 2 years. Love it.

[@Coldsmoking]

its a nice bit of kit

[@Torus2X]

I’ve heard that microwaving the chips beforehand will greatly reduce the moisture content of the chips.

[@Coldsmoking]

I tend only to use woodchip for hot smoking ( with the exception of my fine chip) and therefore I’ve never really had an opportunity or need to try that particular technique. Generally speaking heating up any wood in a microwave would assist in removing moisture so if it’s an issue for you then perhaps give it a go.

[@ellellbee]

Very glad to see your video pop up as I logged in. I just got the 1L Smokai for Christmas. Mine is smaller and runs off electrical (the mains) not battery like yours, 110V here in Canada .Smokai seems to have it all figured out for international customers. We have below freezing temps every night at this time of year so I haven't tried it yet. I need something that needs a short smoke time since we do have + freezing temps during the day but that can change by the time I prep salmon which needs a few days of brine and air to form the pellicle as you well know. (I have watched your video). I would think that having it run overnight with temps of -5C would give the possibility of it freezing the salmon. I need short smoke time ideas so I can try it out. I agree that they are a bit pricey but the quality is definitely there and the design is well thought out.

[@Coldsmoking]

thanks for your comment. I need to check the temp in the smoker and compare it with ambient while smoking

[@toddpower4674]

Hi From Canada too. I just ordered one a few days ago and can't wait

[@ellellbee]

@@toddpower4674 I think you will like it. It is hovering around freezing here right now so I can't do some types of cold smoking until spring since we are expecting to be -18 C in a few days. Anything that needs to cure for a few days first is risking not being able to finish it. Trying mine out today for the first time. Cold smoking cheese and almonds. I will spice and finish the almonds in a hot smoke tomorrow alongside some ribs. This is addictive so far. 🤤 Wish I could post a video, this thing really pumps out the smoke. I have it turned down as low as I can and there is still a lot of smoke. I did turn it down too soon at first and it almost went out. I turned it up for a few minutes until the wood chips had more "coals" and it has been at the lowest setting since then. I am using Grill Pro alder chips from Home Hardware. They are burning well.

[@toddpower4674]

Made a wooden smoke house with a metal base and put a dual hotplate from home hardware. Did cold smoked bacon and used hotplate to keep temp about 10 c. I like it and gonna try to do a ham and then some fish. Will be a nice pass time.

[@Coldsmoking]

@@toddpower4674 a lovely pass time 🕰️

[@CharlieAsh-c7q]

Hi was just wondering how the tube works or looks like that the pump is attached, trying to save the $220Aus and build one myself. The last one I made I couldn’t keep the wood chips alight they would keep going out.

[@Coldsmoking]

if you check out my other videos on the Smokai I’m pretty sure one of them shows a breakdown of the component parts. It might be worth checking that out.

[@MoJo-Johansen]

Thank you fore the video 🙂 We haw the smallest Smokai. And it only worked the first time. The second time we tried it, the air-pump did not deliver enough air to generate smoke in the Smokai. The air-pipe is open, i removed the air-pipe from the air-pump. Still very weak airflow. I question the quality of the air-pump. Its is so simple and cheep if you take a look inside of it. I wonder if anyone have the same problem?

[@Coldsmoking]

i haven’t experienced this issue myself but I’m sure someone will be able to answer this for you

[@MoJo-Johansen]

@@Coldsmoking okei, thats god to hear, you don’t hawe any problems. Thank you for your answer.

[@MoJo-Johansen]

Some update 🙂The Smokai salesman "in Norway" will send a new 230V air-pump, with speed regulator. We have the battery version now. Hope that makes the difference.

[@Coldsmoking]

Hope it works for you 👍

[@ellellbee]

After using my Smokai a few times, I love it but . . . it really is a PITA to clean. I soak it overnight in Simple Green and still have to scrape off the black creosote which at least has turned a bit gummy. I finally started using a round wire brush in a drill to get inside the tube. That works best. I found smoker wood "bits" from True North that work great in the Smokai. the "chips" that I previously bought were too big and too inconsistent in size. I had some big chunks of wood and even a 6" long piece. They would block the tube and not let any other chips fall dow to the burn area. The wood bits are the perfect size. Now if it only had a self-clean cycle. Sigh.

[@Coldsmoking]

Great comment. i ended up using a metal pot scourer but I’ve also used caustic oven cleaner for my other smoke generators.. its always interesting to heat others’ experiences with the kit. Thanks 🙏

[@ugursenturk5860]

Hi mate how ya getting on with this unit? Found a solution for the condensation/clogging etc did you do anythibg klaus suggested?

[@Coldsmoking]

what’s your solution??

[@Coldsmoking]

Ill be using the smoker this weekend so more work to do

[@ugursenturk5860]

@@Coldsmoking hey i dont have a solution as of yet however i have a couple ideas that i should be able to put into action probably next weekend providing i have some spare time. İ think i will be making a couple mods to a smoke generator to both eliminate/minimise condensation, bridging and potentially filter the smoke aswell. İf i do some somewhat of a success i will revert back to you. Keep up the good work

[@podiodoc]

Was hoping to have seen how you could attach this to a gas grill? Do I have to physically drill a hole?

[@Coldsmoking]

You may have to drill a hole in the thing somewhere as you’ll need to get the smoke inside it. 👍

[@Nick-from-norfolk]

What are you using to light the wood? I’ve used an old kitchen flame for crème brûlée and it’s useless

[@Coldsmoking]

i was using a brûlée torch. worked for me

[@ellellbee]

My brulee torch is adjustable for less or more intense flame. Maybe check to see if yours is set for low flame?

[@andrewadam9544]

get some fishtank airline control valves and bleed the excess air off, just clamping it puts back pressure on the pumps diagphram and will burst it (50 year experience as a fishkeeper)

[@Coldsmoking]

the pump has two separate outlets by removing one of the pipes from the outlet and clamping wont have the effect you suggested. thanks for your comment though. 👍

[@benellinova100]

I wonder where the ashes go. If you burn this for hours??

[@Coldsmoking]

they burn for about 8 to 10 hours and the ash would need emptying after a burn. There is not a great deal of ash produced tbh

[@jus4funtim]

It really should come with a variable speed air pump

[@Coldsmoking]

that is an option now i think 🤔

[@adenwellsmith6908]

it does look good. Where do you get your chips from? Brewery sellers have a massive markup.

[@Coldsmoking]

I buy them from my wholesaler who sources directly from Scottish whisky distilleries

[@marthebleu6027]

How much is a full filling? And can you fill it up? Im gonna cold smoke some coalfish

[@Coldsmoking]

on a full load of wood chips you can smoke for between 6 to 8 hours but it largely depends on the air setting on the pump. The higher of the setting the greater the smoke produced and the shorter smoke duration.

[@marthebleu6027]

@@Coldsmoking thanks! What is a full load? 1 liter? Half the pipe?

[@Coldsmoking]

@@marthebleu6027 ive got the 3 Litre version so i guess its a volumetric measure based on that. different woods will have a different weight and you will also see a variation in weight from chips to pellets. I think that is why they tend to gravitate towards a volumetric measuring system.

[@marthebleu6027]

@@Coldsmoking allright, so you fill up the whole 3 litre? Because you used a full cup in your video, so was just wondering if that is what you considered a full load?

[@Coldsmoking]

@marthebleu6027 i was just running a test

[@julianfarquhar]

Is it noisy? It sounds as though it is in the video. But if you were a few feet away would it be quieter? I smoke at night when all is quiet. Yes do do a video about using it that would be great!

[@Coldsmoking]

Thanks for your comment. it’s not noisy, once you stand away from it you cant really hear it at all. I think the camera mic picked it up as it was quite close to it.

[@Nick-from-norfolk]

I bought an identical smoker 18 months ago from Amazon that was made in Ukraine

[@Coldsmoking]

how much did you pay if you don’t mind me asking?

[@timCole53]

have you got a link for it ?

[@Coldsmoking]

@timCole53 why don’t you search it on Amazon?

[@timCole53]

@@Coldsmoking I can’t find it on there ? There are versions on EBay AU that are better priced,thanks for your help.

[@Coldsmoking]

perhaps it's an old listing@@timCole53

[@davidhoughton4791]

$150 is dirt cheap. UK lol/

[@Coldsmoking]

??

[@sturben2453]

What a piece of junk.

[@Coldsmoking]

I find it mystifying why people make comments about something with such dismissive brevity!! Why not elaborate and add to the conversation with your own experience.