Getting sawdust to light in ProQ smoke generator

[PeteW]

Hi,

I recently bought the ProQ cold smoker generator, and got on with in fine on my first attempt with the supplied sawdust. I'm now having a go using some oak sawdust I've acquired locally but it doesn't seem to want to light. Any tips for getting it to light? I wonder if maybe it's too course and I need to blitz it up in the food processor to make it finer? I've tried microwaving it for 30 seconds or so until it steamed a bit to make sure it's suitably dry. Any other tips?

Cheers

PETE

[keith157]

Hi,

I recently bought the ProQ cold smoker generator, and got on with in fine on my first attempt with the supplied sawdust. I'm now having a go using some oak sawdust I've acquired locally but it doesn't seem to want to light. Any tips for getting it to light? I wonder if maybe it's too course and I need to blitz it up in the food processor to make it finer? I've tried microwaving it for 30 seconds or so until it steamed a bit to make sure it's suitably dry. Any other tips?

Cheers

PETE

Hope no-one else wants to use the food processer.....

I would think you were on the right track with drying it out, maybe spreading it thinly on a baking sheet in a warmish oven could dry it better than a microwave. Not having tried it myself, maybe the reason they sell the replacement dust is it's difficulty to DIY it. What type of wood did the sawdust come from, hopefully not a softwood ?

[KamadoSimon]

Drying it out is a good idea - but even with the really fine stuff that you get from ProQ, it can sometimes be a little begger to light. But probably worth blitzing the oak chips in a processor if you still can't light it.

[keith157]

Drying it out is a good idea - but even with the really fine stuff that you get from ProQ, it can sometimes be a little begger to light. But probably worth blitzing the oak chips in a processor if you still can't light it.

There speaks a man with two processors, or an understanding spouse

[KamadoSimon]

lol

I would wash it out. And possibly conduct said exercise whilst my better half is reliably out of the house.....

[keith157]

Wise words KS wise words

[oldreliable]

I use a kitchen blow torch and just give it a little blow until it's smoldering like a cigar. Works a treat every time.