Smoke Tube Secrets Every Griller Needs
More Smoke From Your Pellet Grill, the Right Way
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Introduction
How to Get Clean, Steady Smoke From a Smoke Tube
What's up BBQ fans! Today we're talking about the smoke tube, one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to a pellet grill. It costs about $20, and I've been using one on my Yoder YS640s for four or five years. But there's a right way and a wrong way to use one, so let me walk you through what I've learned.
Where a Smoke Tube Makes Sense
Pellet grills make the most smoke between about 160 and 225°F. Above that, they burn so clean that the smoke drops off, and that's where a smoke tube earns its keep. It adds smoke on top of what the grill is already making.
I don't use one in a kamado. A kamado is sealed up tight, so there isn't enough airflow to keep the tube burning cleanly. You end up with dirty, smoldering smoke. If you want extra smoke in a kamado, the Komodo Kamado cold smoker is a better way to go, since it uses an aquarium pump to keep the fire fed with fresh air.
Don't Overdo It
This is the biggest mistake I see. More smoke is not always better.
Never run two tubes at the same time. That's a quick way to bitter, over-smoked meat.
My rule: one tube for up to about half the cook. Most of the smoke gets absorbed early anyway.
Brisket is the exception. On a long cook, I'll run two tubes back to back, lighting the second when the first burns out.
If you overdo it, you'll taste it. Bitter smoke doesn't come off.
Fuel Matters
What you put in the tube matters just as much as what goes in the hopper. I use Bear Mountain Hickory pellets. I've tested nine or ten brands over the years, and cheap pellets full of fillers burn dirty and inconsistently.
How long does a tube last? Roughly:
Pellets only: about 4½ hours for a full tube
Pellets and chips mixed: about 2 hours
Chips only: about 1 hour
Pellets are denser, so they burn slower and steadier. That's why I stick with pellets for most cooks.
Lighting It the Right Way
This is where most people go wrong, and it's why so many tubes go out halfway through.
Use a real torch. A crème brûlée torch works, but I like a plumber's torch with the yellow tank. It puts out a lot more heat and gets the job done faster.
Let it burn with an open flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Don't rush this step.
Then blow it out. You want the pellets smoldering, not flaming.
Pro tip: if your tube flames out, you didn't let it burn long enough before blowing it out. Give it the full 1 to 2 minutes and you'll get a nice, steady smolder.
Wear high-heat gloves when you handle it. The tube gets extremely hot, and you'll be moving it into the grill right after lighting it.
Final Thoughts
A smoke tube is a simple, inexpensive way to get more smoke flavor from your pellet grill, as long as you use it right. Use good pellets, light it with a proper torch, let it burn a full 1 to 2 minutes before blowing it out, and never run two at once. One tube for the first half of the cook is plenty for almost everything. Save the back-to-back tubes for brisket.
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Thanks For Watching
Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or a novice, these tips will enhance your cooking skills and leave your family and friends raving about your delicious, smoky creations. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more step-by-step videos, and let's together become the barbecue heroes we were meant to be!
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