Comps with a Traeger SMK190

MContos · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 11

Anybody have experience w/the SMK190?

rainman · Newbie Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 43

Yes, I have one but I have never competed with it. What questions do you have?

MContos · Joined: 22 Apr 2006 Posts: 11

How well does it perform?
Is the temperature control all that it claims to be?
I'm guessing that you cater, is the fact that it's not NSF a problem?

rainman · Newbie Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 43

It cooks really well. I have done brisket, pork butts, ribs, chicken. I even did a small pig in mine. There two things you need to know. The temperature control is one. When you set the temp to 225 you will have a 30 to 40 degree swing. It will go from about 215 to 245 but it will average at 225 degrees. The other is that this unit is made of sheet metal with no insulation. Any high winds or cold air will affect your cooking times. I also have a FEC100. This unit is NSF approved and is insulated as well. It is not on a trailer though and will not hold as much as the 190. Hope this helps. Anymore questions feel free to ask away.

Dan

kanctil · Posted: May 19 2007 Post subject:

OK what is NSF?
(I've got my noob hat on)
_________________
CharBroil Silver Smoker (Modified)
Brinkmann Vertical Water Smoker (Modified)
Smoky Joe Silver (Just the way Weber made it)
Weber Bar-B-Kettle 22 1/2" (Rescued from side of the road)

rainman · Newbie Joined: 11 May 2007 Posts: 43

NSF International, formerly National Sanitation Foundation, is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that develops standards and provides product certification and education in the field of public health and safety.

kanctil · Posted: May 19 2007 Post subject:

Now I know thanks Rainman. Do comps require cookers to have this NSF certification?
_________________
CharBroil Silver Smoker (Modified)
Brinkmann Vertical Water Smoker (Modified)
Smoky Joe Silver (Just the way Weber made it)
Weber Bar-B-Kettle 22 1/2" (Rescued from side of the road)

dabaslab · BBQ Pro Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 515

Lord no. You should see some of the smokers guys cook on.

Dabasalb
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Son Seekers BBQ Team

skybob · Posted: May 19 2007 Post subject:

OK, for the Treager guys, there's a fairly quick fix for the temp swings with the digital thermostats. If you take the thermostat out with the 2 screws, look on the back of it and you'll see a potientiometer (however you spell the fool thing). It'll undoubtably be set at #2 (normal factory settings), just turn it to #1 and the temp swings will settle down to about a 10* swing. I've heard that #3 will do about the same thing.
This is the voice of experience on 2 different Traegers.
Guess I should put in the legal mumbo-jumbo also: Please make sure the unit is unhooked from power before removing the Thermostat and until after reinstalling the thermostat.