6 Common Reasons Big Green Egg Not Smoking (With Fixes)

Are you having trouble getting your Big Green Egg to smoke? If so, you’re not alone.

Many people experience this issue and it can be frustrating trying to figure out what’s wrong.

Fortunately, there are some simple fixes that can help get your smoker back in action quickly and easily.

In this article, we’ll discuss the most common causes of why a Big Green Egg isn’t smoking properly and provide several tips to get it working again in no time!

Table of Contents

Big Green Egg Not Smoking

1. Insufficient charcoal

The Big Green Egg smoker requires a certain amount of charcoal for proper functioning.

If the amount of charcoal is insufficient, the Egg won’t get hot enough to smoke whatever is placed in it.

To solve this issue, make sure that you always have enough charcoal in the smoker before using it.

The optimal amount of charcoal will depend on the size of your Big Green Egg as well as the type and volume of food you want to smoke.

For instance, a smaller Egg will require less charcoal than a larger one when smoking a single rack of ribs.

Additionally, if you are smoking multiple racks or larger quantities such as whole turkeys, more coal may be needed.

2. Not enough airflow

The most common reason why the Big Green Egg isn’t smoking is due to a lack of sufficient airflow.

This could be caused by either too small a vent hole for air intake or an air shut-off valve that is partially blocked or fully closed.

To remedy this situation, first, inspect the air intake and ensure it is open enough and free of any obstructions.

Secondly, check the air shut-off valve and make sure it is open, allowing for proper airflow into the egg.

Additionally, you can also experiment with adjusting the vents on the bottom to increase or decrease airflow as needed.

Finally, if all else fails, you may need to replace part of your venting system such as the firebox gasket or damper depending on what kind of Big Green Egg you have.

3. Using wet wood chips

Using wet wood chips is often the culprit when the Big Green Egg isn’t smoking properly.

The amount of smoke produced by the Big Green Egg is determined by how much heat and oxygen are being used to ignite the wood chips.

If the wood chips are too wet, they won’t easily catch fire, resulting in a lack of smoke. To ensure proper smoking, it’s important to only use dry wood chips or pre-soaked wood chips that have been allowed to drain completely before using them in your Big Green Egg.

Wood chips should be soaked for no more than 30 minutes prior to use for optimal results.

It’s also important to note that different types of woods will produce different kinds of flavors when used for smoking; for example, mesquite has a stronger flavor than hickory.

4. Blocked venturi tubes

Blocked venturi tubes can be a major cause of why the Big Green Egg is not smoking.

Venturi tubes provide oxygen to the fire, creating air flow and allowing the smoke from the fire to escape.

If these tubes become blocked or partially blocked, it can prevent the necessary amount of oxygen from getting into the fire, thus preventing it from producing enough smoke for adequate food flavor and preventing it from burning through food.

To address this problem, check that all venturi tubes are clean and free of debris. If they are blocked by debris, use a small brush to clear out any obstructions.

Make sure you don’t block the openings yourself by pushing too much debris in at once; instead remove small amounts at a time until no more debris can be seen coming out.

Also ensure that all vents are open and in working condition, as clogged vents may also cause insufficient airflow necessary for proper smoke production.

Finally, check that there is an adequate amount of fuel being used in each cooking session as too little fuel could result in inadequate smoke production as well.

5. Inaccurate thermometer readings

Elaboration on Big Green Egg Not Smoking Due to Inaccurate Thermometer Readings

The Big Green Egg is designed to be a reliable and efficient smoker, but inaccurate thermometer readings can lead to inconsistent results.

This can be caused by a number of factors including faulty or incorrectly calibrated thermometers, incorrect positioning of the thermometer probe within the chamber, or an erroneous temperature reading due to ambient temperature fluctuations.

To ensure accurate readings, always check thermometer calibration before using and make sure that the probe is properly inserted into the cooking chamber.

Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that traditional charcoal smokers may vary by up to 10-20 degrees on either side of their set point depending on wind and air temperature.

6. Too much fuel

Too much fuel in the Big Green Egg can be a common issue, especially for novice users.

When there is too much fuel, it can cause the fire to become uncontrollable, resulting in smoke pouring out of the Big Green Egg.

The flames will be very high and hot, which can make it difficult to regulate the temperature inside the Egg for proper grilling.

To solve this issue, start by shutting off the airflow from the vents on top of the Egg. Doing this will reduce oxygen levels and control any further combustion inside.

Additionally, take out any excess fuel that may have been added to the charcoal tray before starting your cook.

This will ensure that there is not an overabundance of fuel and should help you reach a more balanced environment for cooking.

Lastly, before attempting to use your Big Green Egg again, consider using fewer pieces of charcoal or wood when stoking your fire as this will prevent future issues with too much fuel.

Conclusion

The Big Green Egg is an iconic piece of outdoor cooking equipment that can be a great addition to any backyard.

However, as with all appliances, it’s important to make sure you know how to properly use and maintain your Big Green Egg so that it runs smoothly.

If you find yourself having trouble getting the Big Green Egg started or keeping smoke coming out of the chimney vent, there are several easy steps you can take such as checking for obstructions in the firebox or adjusting air vents.

With these tips in mind, we hope you now have a better understanding of why your Big Green Egg isn’t smoking and how to fix this issue quickly and effectively!

FAQs

Is Big Green Egg supposed to smoke?

Yes, the Big Green Egg is designed to produce smoke during cooking. The type and amount of smoke produced will depend on the fuel used and how it is managed.

The smoke created helps to add flavor to food for an authentic BBQ experience.

How do I get more smoke out of my Big Green Egg?

To get more smoke out of your Big Green Egg, use high-smoke fuel such as charcoal briquettes, lump wood charcoal or hardwood chunks.

Adjust the draft doors and vents to create optimal airflow around the fuel for a steady stream of smoke. Control the temperature with careful attention to achieve maximum smokiness in your cooking.

How do I set my green EGG to 225?

To set the Big Green Egg to 225°F, adjust the draft doors and vents so that a steady stream of air is flowing around the fuel. Close all dampers until they are barely open.

The temperature can then be adjusted with careful attention to achieve desired results.