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Using saltpeter to keep wood chips burning

Forums: Smoking Food, Saltpeter, Wood Chips, Electric Smoker
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GeofClayton
 
Reply Sat 4 Oct, 2014 08:09 pm
When using an electric smoker with a chip box at low temperature it is difficult to keep
the chips burning. I have tried pre-lighting them but they go out. Are there any commercial chip products that use saltpeter? Can I make my own by soaking chips in a solution of saltpeter and drying them by evaporation. If yes, what would be a good ratio of water to saltpeter?

Is it unhealthy to use saltpeter in a smoker?
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Type: Question • Score: 2 • Views: 1,148 • Replies: 8
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bobsal u1553115
 
  1  
Reply Sun 5 Oct, 2014 09:23 am
@GeofClayton,
Wouldn't the nitrates added to the food be unhealthy? Couldn't you also be forming a version of gun cotton or nitrocellulose?

Don't know, just asking.
GeofClayton
 
  1  
Reply Sun 5 Oct, 2014 01:50 pm
@bobsal u1553115,
I hope not! I do know that a small amount of saltpeter is added to cigarettes to keep them burning and it is sometimes used in curing meats .
So I am wondering what amount would work as an oxidizer on wood chips.
roger
 
  1  
Reply Sun 5 Oct, 2014 02:30 pm
@GeofClayton,
And now many states require the cigarette papers be treated with a fire retardant remarkably similar to carpet glue as a matter of fire prevention. That's in the US. In Australia, the rule applies every where. I certainly hope carpet glue isn't a health hazard.
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roger
 
  1  
Reply Sun 5 Oct, 2014 02:47 pm
@GeofClayton,
GeofClayton wrote:

I hope not! I do know that a small amount of saltpeter is added to cigarettes to keep them burning and it is sometimes used in curing meats .
So I am wondering what amount would work as an oxidizer on wood chips.


Well yeah! If it's used by tobacco companies, you know it has to be safe.
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neologist
 
  1  
Reply Sun 5 Oct, 2014 11:46 pm
@GeofClayton,
Why not just raise the temperature?
mark noble
 
  1  
Reply Mon 6 Oct, 2014 11:07 am
@GeofClayton,
Use potassium permanganate.
Pour pp into a wad of kitchen/toilet paper - Scrunch into a ball and tie tightly with string - Add 100ml of antifreeze to the paper - Then run like ****.
This will seriously warm your woodchips, and you - If you stick around.
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bobsal u1553115
 
  1  
Reply Mon 6 Oct, 2014 12:43 pm
@neologist,
Good question. Why add chemicals that seem to cause cancer in some circumstances?
mark noble
 
  1  
Reply Tue 7 Oct, 2014 10:41 am
@bobsal u1553115,
Do we know, for certain, of any 'cancer-causing' properties?
Or do we, merely, assume?
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