Have tried several types of pellets. Have not found one that "gives off more smoke". What brand and wood are you finding that gives off the most smoke?First time I used a smoke tube I loaded chips in it. Didn’t pack them in and got over an hour of smoke with the right amount of smoke in the meat. Will certainly have to try a combo of the pellets and chips.
Can’t help but think that the pellets used could also play a big role. A pellet that doesn’t give off much smoke flavor may benefit from a smoke tube. However, a pellet that gives off more smoke and better flavor may not need a tube…
Competition blend but I also use a smoke tube from Amazon
I don't even buy Pit Boss pellets anymore, unless it's a bag of charcoal pellets. lately have been using Bear Mountain and the bags they sell at Sam's.
Sorry it took me so long to respond. I don't know if any one smoke tube is better than the other. I bought a $14 one on Amazon and I have an A-MAZE-N tube that cost around $20 and there is really no difference. They both do the job. As for what food that I would or wouldn't use a tube on, I pretty much use one on all of my cooks. I tend to think more about what flavor of pellet to put in to compliment the meat. And some times I'll use a different pellet than what is in my hopper to blend two flavors together or add more color to my cook. I hope that helps.
I got a cheap Amazon 2 tube set. It has a 12 inch and a 6 inch. I use the 6 inch for things like chicken, which are short cooks, and the 12 inch for longer cooks. Sometimes I won't bother with a tube, but it is not that I wouldn't use it, just that I choose not to. An example when I have Bigos, chili or that Asian stew I posted one time.
I ordered one from Amazon that was marked down, it looks like a good one. I’ll give it a try and see how it goes. My wife has converted to liking smoked foods that I’ve done on my vertical, hopefully the tube won’t over do it for her.
OK, I’ve got one coming from Amazon, it’s a 12 inch stainless steel. We’ll see how it goes.
It depends I think on how tightly packed the pellets are. Sometimes I shake them down real good, and get more time, other times I am in a rush and don't. To give an idea the 6 inch is usually 2 to 2 1/2 hours the 12 inch about 4-5 1/2 hours. Of course I only need the tubes until wrap time. On a really long cook once the 12 inch is spent I will slide the 6 inch in, and that will take it to wrap time.
Good info. Appreciate it.
I just bought a 6 inch tube too.
Not sure. Maybe to hang in a vertical type smoker? I have a horizontal, and can't imagine how it would be used on mine.
Hanging would probably work in my vertical. Something else to experiment with.
