Little cheif electric

[Rico]

Just picked up a little chief electric. I've been through most of the old posts and I know the verdict is in on charcol being better, but all these post have me starving.
I'm just wondering if there are any helpful hints that I should be aware of with the electric unit.

Thanks,
Ric

[Brian S]

I've had one for a while and use it for smoking fish and making jerky.

I would recommend getting an oven thermometer and using it. The intenal temp will not be consistant every time, knowing the exact temp allows you to change the smoking time to adjust for the temp changes.

Keep good notes everytime you use it. I would record fillet thickness, outside temp, internal temp, smoking time, and results (overdone, not enough smoke ,etc).

Try not to screw around with modifying brine recipes too much. Start with a recipe and make some minor adjustments but don't make radical changes. If a recipe calls for 4 cups of liquid (water, apple juice, whatever), 1/2 cup salt and 1 cup of sugar don't change those proportions, they are important for the curing process. Feel free to add other spices like pepper, garlic stuff like that, but don't tinker with the liquid/salt/sugar proportions.

Thats about all I can think of right now.

[wild bill]

good point brian. keeping notes will help next time you make something. dont be afraid to experiment but keep with the basics.i found that with the little chief i had it was easier to control the temp when enclosed. i built a doghouse like box to keep mine in. it seemed like any wind of outside temp change effected the smoker and enclosing it help stop it.

[Rico]

Thanks for the input. I've heard referance to a water pan in other threads, does the little chief use one?