Jumbo Bee Smoker

[Olivia9801]

I'm fed up of my standard sized bee smoker running out of smoke prior to me completing my hive inspections. Subsequently I'm debating about buying a Jumbo Sized smoker.

Has anyond used one of these and if so how did you find it?

Olivia9801

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Who's Arnold?
Don't muck around, just get a Dadant and be done with

 

[MillMeadow]

Who's Arnold?
Don't muck around, just get a Dadant and be done with

 

[Olivia9801]

What are they like for duration?

 

[ericbeaumont]

I'm debating

Yep, just do it.

https://www.modernbeekeeping.co.uk/the-original-dadant-smoker

 

[Olivia9801]

Very good!

 

[Buzby]

What are they like for duration?

Depends what you fuel it with. I use wood pellets keeps going for hours. It's heavy duty so will last forever.

 

[E&MBees]

I currently have a cheaper smoker, (£40ish) which is ok but the lid keeps getting stuck on to the body. Does this happen with the Dadant?

 

[Ian123]

I currently have a cheaper smoker, (£40ish) which is ok but the lid keeps getting stuck on to the body. Does this happen with the Dadant?

I think all lids can get stuck to a degree, obviously has to be a reasonable fit in the first place. Then there’s a build up of crap, heat and expansion.

 

[ericbeaumont]

lid keeps getting stuck on to the body

Tar, usually. I aim to clean the rim of the drum and the lid often with the stainless kitchen thing I keep in the wash bucket. If I forget, it leads to swearing, esp. if I've left the lid on overnight.

 

[JamezF]

I currently have a cheaper smoker, (£40ish) which is ok but the lid keeps getting stuck on to the body. Does this happen with the Dadant?

I use pieces of dried, rotted sycamore as smoker fuel because I have loads of it just lying about. I've done so for years and never had a problem, but this year I've found that it produces a lot of tar that sticks the lid down regularly. No idea why. It might just be the particular lump of wood that I broke up to use of course. I'd guess the cool combustion temperature means there's a lot of stuff that doesn't get properly burnt.

I've taken to cleaning the lip of the smoker body and lid with a wire brush, and try to remember to leave the lid open whilst it cools.

James

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I currently have a cheaper smoker, (£40ish) which is ok but the lid keeps getting stuck on to the body. Does this happen with the Dadant?

depends what you use for fuel - if you use things like wood shavings or any softwood based fuel, it has a high tar content so will quickly clart up. The occasional blast with a blowlamp inside the lid and around the rim will keep the tar levels low

 

[E&MBees]

I’m currently using rotten ash. The lid was so stuck on at the weekend I had to use the blow torch to get it loose

 

[peterbees]

I’m currently using rotten ash. The lid was so stuck on at the weekend I had to use the blow torch to get it loose

Me too.
I also use a blowtorch to light my smoker now. What a great time saver!