Smoker, keeping it lit

[Sam Fugate]

Whenever I use my smoker, it stays lit for about 10 minutes, just enough time for me to get fully involved in my hive inspections before it goes out. I am using burlap by the way.
Can some one clue me in on the proper way to load a smoker and keep it going ?

[Andrew Dewey]

- empty smoker from previous uses
- light some tinder or paper and deposit at the bottom of the smoker
- place a single sheet of burlap on top of the tinder in the smoker
- pump until burlap catches fire and starts to smoke well
- place additional burlap as desired on top of what you have in the smoker
- pump some more
- close the lid and start your inspections
- pump between hives to make sure the smoker is still lit

[krad1964]

Here is a video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKmI...8&feature=plcp

It changed my life!

[jip]

All the stuff that has been mentioned but I'd like to add that after the fire is started well, use different layers of fuel. If you use a type that will burn fast, then it will go out fast. Mix it up.

I use a torch to light my smoker.

[ATScuba]

I use cotton batting as smoker fuel - light it once, pack the smoker full - puff to get going and it will not go out until the fuel is gone (which in my smoker moderately packed is about 1.5 hours or so)

[Paul McCarty]

I use a blowtorch to light cedar chip pet bedding mixed with pine pellet horse litter - filled about 1/2 full in smoker. After this is going good, I close the smoker and snuff the fire, then open it and dump in pine needles or bunched up dried dead grass or weeds. Close it up and pump it like heck. Should stay lit for quite a while. If it doesn't - open the smoker lid and pump like heck! Then close it up and back to business.

I used to use the organic cellulose/wood fiber pet bedding but quit because it made so much tarry nasty smoke. Stayed lit great - it never went out. You might end up with Black lung though. I much prefer weeds and cedar chips.

[JRG13]

I find rolled cardboard great for about 5 minutes then it seems to really just keeping getting hotter and hotter. Maybe I need to stuff more stuff on top of it to keep it from building up. If you don't want your smoker to go out you need to puff it time to time to keep it lit if that's your issue. Either that or you're compacting your fuel too much which is why layering was mentioned. I use whatever trash paper/cardboard I have, get some going, then stuff the smoker with a layer of paper bag or napkins (typically from fast food), whatever fuel I had left over from last time next, and then a layer or 2 of dried grassy weeds to filter out any debris. I usually find it harder to keep the smoker from just blazing up after 5-10 minutes so I usually stuff a paper towel in the tip to keep it down and just pull it out when I need to puff.

[RiodeLobo]

1/4 full of pine shavings
Torch to light
pump until you see flames across the top of the shavings
tamp down
Pump until embers glow
Fill smoker
Pump until you get thick cool smoke
Pump occasionally when not using
Will burn until fuel is gone

[Mbeck]

Pine needles.. Light a small "wad" pump til smoker goes "woof woof" add more pump add more and close.

It's something you just need to get a feel for!

[VaNewbee]

Several of you have mentioned using a torch to light the smoker. What kind of torch do you use, and where does one get such a torch? I have been using a Bic lighter, and that takes forever.

[Jackie Burba]

I use a propane torch like the ones plumbers use for soldering pipe you can get them anywhere Lowes, Home Depot, or any hardware store they aren't to high and work great for lighting smokers and cleaning the inside if you get a lot of tar build up.

[jip]

Torch

http://www.lowes.com/pd_149109-13877...RL=&facetInfo=

[RiodeLobo]

Plumbers torch that has a automatic lighter in it.