Cabelas Pro 50 SS - pellets, chips, chunks, or saw dust ?

[Buzzard11]

Hi,
I ended up getting an older but excellent condition Cabelas Pro 50 SS smoker. What type of wood, pellets, chips, chunks, or saw dust should I be using in this smoker or does it even matter? What would be best for a beginner smoker? Any easy first pass recipes? Thank you

[twilliams]

Buzzard11 can you send us a pic of outside and inside? Is there no manual with it or google search sites? My opinion is to use saw dust slightly damp

[gus4416]

I googled ss50 and there was a video that said about 12 ounces of pellets it tells everything about the cabelos SS50

[Jamieson22]

I think this is just a small PK100 no? Powered by an electric burner in base with a bowl for sawdust?

[processhead]

I did a little searching and found another forum where someone was asking about his Pro 50 smoker. Someone said it was made by PS seasonings as a PK100 and marketed by Cabela’s. If so, that is a very nice unit!
As mentioned, a picture would help confirm.

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/cabelas-pro-50-ss.269716/
https://www.[link removed]/products/pro-smoker-model-pk-100

[Buzzard11]

Yes it is a small PK100. I will take a picture post later when I get home. Thanks for the video showing using pellets. Can any other type of wood be used in this and what would the pros and cons be of each type?

[lkrfletcher]

Buzzard11 - I highly recommend only using sawdust. We had a PK100 explode last year.

[twilliams]

Buzzard11 i highly agree with lkrfletcher

[Jamieson22]

I highly agree with lkrfletcher and twilliams and anyone else that says to use sawdust not pellets.

[Buzzard11]

The video shows pellets. What would the issues be using pellets? Where is best place to go saw dust

[bocephus]

Buzzard11 Right here is the best place for saw dust.

[lkrfletcher]

Buzzard11 - From the Cabelas Pro 100 (PK100 manual)
For what it is worth.

Front cover:

Operation page:

[Buzzard11]

Thank you all for the input. How much smoke how long will a 5lb bag last? If I want to start with smoking a pork butt and then doing some sausage is 5lbs enough?

[lkrfletcher]

Buzzard11 3/4 of a pan with water added to the sawdust provides a nice heavy smoke for around 3 hours or so. You can replace maybe once during a long pork but smoke.
Walton’s sells large bags (40 lb) of sawdust for pretty cheap. My wife made me some sealed trashcans containers for both Hickory and Apple. But then again, I smoke a lot.

There are some people here who don’t like to add water to sawdust - I do, it works for me.

BTW - You should watch Jonathan’s PK100 review on you tube to see how much water he adds to sawdust.

[Buzzard11]

I’m looking at the website and there is no Pecan or Alder saw dust in 5 lbs but there is Premium Smoking Chips - extra fine in 2 lb bags. Should I strictly use saw dust in this smoker? Thank you all for helping a newbie

[lkrfletcher]

Buzzard11 - Walton’s has hickory and apple available if I remember correctly. You can probably find other flavors on amazon. I only use hickory and apple.

BTW - Do you have a manual for your smoker? if not, message me your e-mail and I will send you one.

[lkrfletcher]

Buzzard11 - I Showed you what the manual said in huge bold letters on the front page. I would only recommend sawdust.

[Buzzard11]

Thank you, saw dust it is and will always be