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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: FatherMichael on March 14, 2021, 06:55:20 PM

Title: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 14, 2021, 06:55:20 PM
I'm embarrassed that I did not think of this sooner.

In liturgical churches we burn incense as a sign of our prayers ascending to God, as in the Book of Revelation.  Plus, it smells nice.

We use Swift-Lite Charcoal in the thurible to burn the incense.  You get 100 of them for less than $20.

They are very easy to light and one will last about an hour, from the procession to censing the altar/table at the time of communion.

So, I wondered how they would work in a smoker.

Since I paid for them anyway I brought some home and experiments are underway with good results so far.

Lit the charcoal and put in a layer of dry leaves then hardwood BBQ pellets.  After about 15 minutes I got a steady smolder of smoke and it has lasted an hour so far.

Will update after another couple of experiments.



Title: Re: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: Bob Wilson on March 14, 2021, 07:41:06 PM
Michael,
Being a Baptist pastor :wink:, I cannot speak to liturgical incense, although I will ask my Episcopalian pastor friend.
Concerning the swift light charcoal, does it have accelerates? Is it like match light charcoal, which has a small amount of pre-added lighter fluid, which would be like puffing a mild does of gasoline vapor? What makes it light swiftly? I couldn't find a list of ingredients.
Title: Re: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 14, 2021, 08:04:13 PM
It sparks, Bob, like it has magnesium in it.

Do *not* hold it in your fingers as per instructions -- learned that the hard way several years ago when I first became Anglican!

Use some tongs.

Two hours and going strong.

I suspect that is because of the BBQ pellets which have caught fire and are smoldering.  I expect that one could add pellets and go as long as needed.
Title: Re: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 14, 2021, 08:10:44 PM
I think we have a winning combo here!

It has been two hours and there is an awesome supply of smoke still going on.

It takes me less than an hour to work three hives in two locations.

But I think a man or woman could work dozens (hundreds?) more by adding pellets, since the first dab ignited from the Swift-Lite Charcoal.
Title: Re: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: FatherMichael on March 14, 2021, 09:10:35 PM
Okay, this is ridiculous (Millennial lingo for unexpected and wonderful).

It has been three hours, such little effort, and a small amount of BBQ pellets -- still going.
Title: Re: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: Ben Framed on March 14, 2021, 09:41:00 PM
Awesome!
Title: Re: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: Kathyp on March 15, 2021, 11:03:25 AM
I never thought of that and I have some!  Thanks for the share.  I got mine on Amazon and per anothers advice got some cheap metal tongs at the same time  :grin:
Title: Re: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: Ben Framed on March 15, 2021, 07:10:01 PM
At the very least, it will smell better than other things? I use grass clippings which is not to bad or nearly as bad smelling as pine needles in my opinion, also puts out a cool smoke, not so hot. Let us know more as you learn more and thanks for sharing your idea!
Title: Re: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: jtcmedic on March 17, 2021, 08:26:19 AM
Quote from: FatherMichael on March 14, 2021, 09:10:35 PM
Okay, this is ridiculous (Millennial lingo for unexpected and wonderful).

It has been three hours, such little effort, and a small amount of BBQ pellets -- still going.
I couldn?t use bbq pellets .....I would always be hungry :cheesy:
Title: Re: An Answer from Church for Bee Smokers?
Post by: paus on March 17, 2021, 12:28:40 PM
I use Pecan shells and this smells like BBQ smoke and they last a long time