Don't put your smoker in your workshop

BeeMaster2 · April 11, 2016, 09:33:50 PM

I came home this evening around 6:00 0PM and lit my smoker, with 3 pieces of dungarees, about 1/3 full. I moved five fully drawn frames covered with bees from a swarm trap that had been in my neighbors yard. When I was done I left the smoker on the cement in front of the barn. At 8:20 PM, after eating dinner, I put the smoker in my workshop and then went out side and cleaned up a super of old plastic foundation/wood frames. I walked in the door and I thought my glasses were coated with dust so I blew them off before realizing my entire shop was full of smoke. My exhaust fan desperately needs a new start up capacitor but luckily this time it started up and cleared out the shop.
I really was not expecting it to still bee lit.
You have to bee careful with them.
Jim

SlickMick · April 12, 2016, 04:41:12 AM

The things you learn when you are having fun!!

Mick

Dabbler · April 12, 2016, 08:07:29 AM

Just another testament to how long a smoker will keep working IF it is properly lit !
Good job Jim !

KeyLargoBees · April 12, 2016, 08:10:12 AM

Hope nothing was ruined and that anything stored in there is ok and doesnt smell like eau de burnt blue jeans ;-)

Wombat2 · April 12, 2016, 08:23:07 AM

I have a small wooden cork/plug on a spring - other end attached to the smoker frame - stick the plug in the smoker spout and to be sure lay the smoker on its side - goes out quickly.

Psparr · April 12, 2016, 10:20:50 AM

If you want it to go out, just take it near the hives

mtnb · April 12, 2016, 11:27:27 AM

^^^ hahaha that's funny!

I have a little stick I found that I plug my smoker hole with when I'm done. I was a little worried last time because I still have hay bales around my hive, 3-4' back, and with the wind and the smoker going, I was hoping there wouldn't be some sort of an accident. I should get myself a little fire extinguisher to keep in my bee box.

Thanks for the reminder, Jim. I'll put it on my list right now. Glad your fan came on for ya.

BeeMaster2 · April 12, 2016, 12:29:39 PM

Quote from: Wombat2 on April 12, 2016, 08:23:07 AM
I have a small wooden cork/plug on a spring - other end attached to the smoker frame - stick the plug in the smoker spout and to be sure lay the smoker on its side - goes out quickly.

I had a cork for this smoker but I could not find it.
After I smoked up my workshop, I found it in the grass in front of the barn.
I think I will attach it to the smoker.
Thanks.
Jim

BeeMaster2 · April 12, 2016, 12:30:53 PM

Quote from: KeyLargoBees on April 12, 2016, 08:10:12 AM
Hope nothing was ruined and that anything stored in there is ok and doesnt smell like eau de burnt blue jeans ;-)

It's ok. Mostly tools and a lot of supers/frames.

Michael Bush · April 12, 2016, 03:53:38 PM

A wad of green grass works well for a plug... laying on it's side most smokers will go out anyway without the plug, but more surely with one.

BeeMaster2 · April 13, 2016, 12:09:46 AM

Thanks Michael. I had a cork for it, it just did a disappearing act.
I went in my work shop this evening and it has a strong smell of smoke. It will take a while to clear up.
Jim

KeyLargoBees · April 13, 2016, 09:22:36 AM

I use a cork topper from some single malt scotch...fits perfectly and has that wider "plastic rim to seat against ;-)

tjc1 · April 13, 2016, 07:47:24 PM

Yeah, but then you have to go to all the trouble to drink all that single malt scotch first...

Wombat2 · April 13, 2016, 09:06:29 PM

Quote from: tjc1 on April 13, 2016, 07:47:24 PM
Yeah, but then you have to go to all the trouble to drink all that single malt scotch first...

Nah just use it as a fire lighter to get the smoker going

BeeMaster2 · April 13, 2016, 09:29:43 PM

Quote from: Wombat2 on April 13, 2016, 09:06:29 PM
Quote from: tjc1 on April 13, 2016, 07:47:24 PM
Yeah, but then you have to go to all the trouble to drink all that single malt scotch first...

Nah just use it as a fire lighter to get the smoker going

Sounds like you are trying to light a fire storm and not in your smoker.

Jim

Michael Bush · April 14, 2016, 08:25:09 AM

Somebody on another forum was talking about how his friend came to visit and knocked on his door and said something about his pickup being on fire and the beekeeper responded that it was just the smoker in the back of the truck, and his friend said, "but dude, there are flames!" I bought a metal box from Betterbee (they didn't have it int he catalog last I looked but someone probably does) that you can put a smoker in and close the lid on the box. It's cheap insurance.

BeeMaster2 · April 14, 2016, 09:55:45 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on April 14, 2016, 08:25:09 AM
Somebody on another forum was talking about how his friend came to visit and knocked on his door and said something about his pickup being on fire and the beekeeper responded that it was just the smoker in the back of the truck, and his friend said, "but dude, there are flames!" I bought a metal box from Betterbee (they didn't have it int he catalog last I looked but someone probably does) that you can put a smoker in and close the lid on the box. It's cheap insurance.

Michael,
The sad thing is, I have one in my shop FOR this smoker but I just picked it up and put it on the table. I store it in the can and use it in my truck all the time.

Jim

deknow · April 14, 2016, 10:03:51 AM

There is a corollary.....'don't use a dry bake of hay as a table for lighting your smoker.'

I discovered this one by accident....not quite an apple falling on my head, but I did think I was going to burn the house down.

BeeMaster2 · April 14, 2016, 01:11:23 PM

Quote from: deknow on April 14, 2016, 10:03:51 AM
There is a corollary.....'don't use a dry bake of hay as a table for lighting your smoker.'

I discovered this one by accident....not quite an apple falling on my head, but I did think I was going to burn the house down.

I usually light my smoker on the cement pad in front of my workshop. I have gotten into the habit of brushing off the leaves and pine needles for the same reason.
Jim