Cook-Air question

[Pappymn]

I did some sirloin steaks tonight on defcon 5. Used hickory wood as my fuel. Lit the wood with the little cardboard squares some of use.

I have noticed a metallic smell in the air when I have cooked like this before. Wife asked after she took a bite if I used lighter fluid. Which I didn't.

Could the intense heat of this cooker contribute to this smell/taste? Burning fat?

[hikerman]

Pappy I know zippo about your Cook-air. But those lighter squares, while they are non-toxic and just cellulose and parafin, I doubt that they are meant to still be burning while you cook. Just my .02!

[Pappymn]

Pappy I know zippo about your Cook-air. But those lighter squares, while they are non-toxic and just cellulose and parafin, I doubt that they are meant to still be burning while you cook. Just my .02!

That is a great point. Since the cooker gets up to temp in 5 minutes. They are not completely burned up. And for some reason I used 2 squares tonight

[hikerman]

Pappy I think Muebe uses 1/2 a square.

[tomcrete1]

Actually I have had the issue and I use a torch to start,, not sure what it is although I have blamed it on the wood had this issue with mesquite which I got on sale burns inefficient which leaves an un pleasant taste. Lots of black smoke, Switched to Apple which worked better, oak was also better, tried slowing it down to defcon 3 which helped also. Hope this helps, it is still one heck of a little grill!

[N. Ontario Smoker]

I use 1/2 a square and a small amount of wood chips to get the chunks going. Never leaves a smell or taste.

[muebe]

I use half a square usually or one if I got a big chunk of wood in there.

Sounds like the lighter squares are the culprit.

[happyappy]

I've had good luck just using a piece of newspaper with a bit of olive oil on it to get the wood chunk started.  I do leave the grill and heat shield off until the paper is completely consumed since this method will send bits of ash flying at first.

Even with the current political bull *$%)^ going on...no bad taste from the newspaper.

[tomcrete1]

I've had good luck just using a piece of newspaper with a bit of olive oil on it to get the wood chunk started.  I do leave the grill and heat shield off until the paper is completely consumed since this method will send bits of ash flying at first.

Even with the current political bull *$%)^ going on...no bad taste from the newspaper.

LOL!   

[teesquare]

I've had good luck just using a piece of newspaper with a bit of olive oil on it to get the wood chunk started.  I do leave the grill and heat shield off until the paper is completely consumed since this method will send bits of ash flying at first.

Even with the current political bull *$%)^ going on...no bad taste from the newspaper.

Then you must not be getting your newspaper from the same outhouse that I recycle mine from....