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Q: How does the SuperSmoker work?
A: The smoker stores both carbide and water in separate chambers. When you turn the pump knob, an exact amount of water is injected through our special valve into the carbide. The more you turn the knob, the more water goes in. The water and carbide react to generate acetylene. The gas comes out of the jet in the firehead and a spark from the flint wheel ignites it. The carbon rich flame is then used to blacken the sights on rifles and pistols to eliminate glare.
Q: My brand new smoker leaks water. Please send me a new valve!
A: Some users fill the water injector just up to the threads. This is correct for the carbide, but not for the water. By only filling the injector part way, a large air bubble is trapped inside. When turning the knob, more turns are needed to get the fire started because the air bubble is compressed. After smoking is completed, the air bubble continues to expand, pumping more water into the carbide, giving the impression of a leak. Always fill the water injector full with water. Insert the pump knob at a slight angle to allow bubbles to escape and displace excess water. At Camp Perry this year, this was the biggest problem we handled. None of the smokers leaked.
Q: My smoker goes like a blow torch and sometimes sputters water. What's wrong?
A: Too much water is being put in. Try turning the pump knob just a little bit and then start the flame. Move the smoker near the sight to be blackened and then turn the knob a little more to get a bigger flame.
Q: My smoker responds well after it is first loaded. But, after a while, I need to turn the pump knob more and more. How can I avoid this?
A: When the smoker is first charged with a fresh load of carbide, you will have to turn the knob very little because all the water gets to the carbide. After several uses, you will have to turn the knob more since the carbide is being diluted with by the "ash" by-product, calcium carbonate. The calcium carbonate will soak up water that would otherwise get to the carbide, so you have to put more water in. This water eventually gets to, and consumes the carbide, which dries out the carbide chamber.
To maximize your SuperSmoker performance, sift out the dust from the carbide chamber whenever you can. Keep a small piece of window screen in your kit and if you can hear the rocks rattle in your smoker, then you can probably sift out the dust. Unscrew the firehead and hold the screen over the opening and gently shake out the dust. Add more carbide rocks if necessary. Don't try to sift the dust out unless the carbide chamber is completely dry. Best time is the night before or the morning of the match.
Q: My SuperSmoker gets hotter even after the flame is put out. Will the plastic melt?
A: The reaction between calcium carbide and water generates heat of it's own without burning the acetylene. After the flame is extinguished, residual moisture in the carbide chamber continues to generate gas (and heat). As long as there is water in the chamber, it cannot exceed the boiling point of water. Once the water is consumed, the reaction stops and the smoker starts to cool. The SuperSmoker is made from Delrin® which is rated to 212F.
Q: When my SuperSmoker runs out of water, there is still carbide left. Why dosn't the smoker hold more water?
A: The carbide and water volumes are balanced to allow for a small surplus of carbide after the water is exhausted. This insures the carbide chamber will dry itself out in a few hours making it easier to clean than if there was a muddy mess in there.
Q: I am worried that the water will leak into the carbide, so I have been loading my smoker the morning of the match. Someone told me that this isn't a problem.
A: You can load your smoker way ahead of time. The special valve in the injector seals off the water supply until pressure from the pump knob opens it. The pump knob is designed with a friction fit so it won't turn by itself when bouncing around in your bag.
Q: How many 'smokes' can I get from one charge in my SuperSmoker?
A: The smoker is designed to hold enough carbide and water to smoke your gun several times. Reports are coming in that the smoker will last through a two-day match. Of course, some shooters just smoke the front post and others will smoke the top of a SS barrel also. Your mileage may vary!:-)
Q: Do I really need to use the safety cap?
A: YES! There are instances where tossing the 'extinguished' smokers into a stool, the spark wheel rubbed and re-ignited the flame, setting the stool on fire. While it hasn't happened with a SuperSmoker, it has happened with miner's lamps. You don't need your alibi ammo cooking off while you are recording your groups and scores!
The safety cap also makes it a lot easier to load the carbide, providing a steady base for the fire head.
Q: What should I do with my Gunsmoke smoker?
A: Give it to a junior! Juniors should eventually have top of the line equipment, but if they don't suffer a little, they won't appreciate the best when they get it! Click here for Gunsmoke instructions.