Running an electric smoker
Looking at picking up a Traeger Lil Tex smoker to be able to throw in the trailer. Anyone know what kind of watts these things require to run? I have 160w solar and plan on adding a 300W inverter.
Forum Discussion
- I would think a water bath propane fired smoker would be the best choice for off grid smoking. No draw on the battery's and will run a few days on a propane tank.
- Here you go, someone with a similar question.
http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-22328.html MitchF150 wrote:
I think you can run a TV and a DVD player with a 300w inverter??
Good luck!
Mitch
I have 150W inverter and it runs the TV and various phone/laptop chargers just fine.
That said the OP would need more than a 300W inverter to run a 300W smoker....with 160W solar he's at a 140w deficit, or 140w / 12v = a net loss of 12 amp/hrs. Very hard to run any kind of resistive load for an extended period of time without a generator to accelerate the recharging.dkf435 wrote:
The Traeger grills are a off shoot from their Pellet Stove and Wood Furnace business years ago. The grills were excellent quality until they took manufacturing off shore to China. Have many friends that still use the original models.
According to their site the glow rod igniter is 300W and another 50w once lit to run the fan and the auger. Think I would want at least a 1000 watt generator or inverter with 2 or more likely 4 6v batteries to make it thru a run.
David
Even though the igniter is 300w some bbq competitors light them by hand the use batteries to keep it going.- The Traeger grills are a off shoot from their Pellet Stove and Wood Furnace business years ago. The grills were excellent quality until they took manufacturing off shore to China. Have many friends that still use the original models.
According to their site the glow rod igniter is 300W and another 50w once lit to run the fan and the auger. Think I would want at least a 1000 watt generator or inverter with 2 or more likely 4 6v batteries to make it thru a run.
David - Unless you are hooked up to 120v power, I can't see you using any kind of electric smoker using an inverter with battery power... My Masterbuilt electric smoker is 800w.
I think even a basic toaster uses more than 300w... And to smoke anything, you'd have to do that for many hours...
Just my little electric heater is around 900w...
I think you can run a TV and a DVD player with a 300w inverter??
Good luck!
Mitch
