When it comes to enhancing the flavors of your smoked meats, the type of fuel you use can make all the difference. While many smokers and grills utilize gas, charcoal, or pellets, the Pro Series Home Smokehouses rely on sawdust. Sawdust adds natural, even smoke flavor and color while producing very little heat, making it perfect for smoking at lower temperatures.  

This guide will walk you through the basics of using sawdust in your Pro Classic or Pro Max models with tips for optimal setup and usage.  

Why Sawdust?

Sawdust is perfect for creating authentic, smoked flavors without the hassle of an open flame. It burns with minimal heat, making it versatile for both cold and hot smoking. The fine grain of the particles ensures an even, consistent burn that produces a rich, natural smoke flavor. 

Sawdust is an efficient alternative to charcoal or chips, providing smoke without serving as the primary heat source in your smoker. Our Pro Smoker Premium Hardwood Sawdust, made from 100% natural, kiln-dried timber, is available in flavors like Hickory, Cherry Wood, Applewood, Mesquite, or a Mixed Hardwood blend of Oak and Maple.  

How to Use Sawdust in Your Pro Smoker Smokehouse

To set up your sawdust pan, follow these steps:  

1. Fill the pan approximately ¾ full of sawdust.  
2. Dampen thoroughly with water and mix until the sawdust reaches a thick, pliable consistency.  
3. Using your hand, form the damp sawdust mixture into a funnel shape with a slight depression in the center of the pan.  
4. Place the pan on the heating element and set your Pro Classic or Pro Max smokehouse to at least 120°F on the Smoke (lower watt) setting. Meat absorbs smoke flavor best when the internal temperature is between 95°F and 135°F. We recommend setting your smoker to Smoke mode when the meat is within this range. If further cooking is needed, remove the sawdust pan and switch to Cook mode to prevent burning out the sawdust. When you’re finished, you can safely remove your sawdust pan with our heavy-duty stainless steel pan gripper, designed specifically for Pro Smoker Home Smokehouses to make handling the pan quick and easy.   

For a visual guide, watch this helpful video on sawdust preparation for Pro Smoker smokehouses.