I have smoked paprika that isn't very smoky. . .can I smoke it to get it more smoky?

[BAPyessir6]

I bought a bulk (8 oz) of smoked paprika powder from a source I got from before, but this time it just isn't nearly as smoky as I'd like it (I can barely taste any smoke at all). I ordered from another source, hopefully it's better, but I was wondering. I have a smoker! Could I dump the paprika powder into a pan and like. . .smoke it on a really low temperature to get it more smokey, like if I close all but 1/8 inch of my vents on my WSM smoker? Or would the direct heat of the smoker burn it? Would I need to indirectly smoke it or something, or is this all just a pipe dream?

 

[blissful]

I don't know all the ins and outs of smoking but isn't there a cold smoking method? Someone must have some experience with cold smoking.

 

[caseydog]

I don't know all the ins and outs of smoking but isn't there a cold smoking method? Someone must have some experience with cold smoking.

Yes, and I've done it a few times on a WSM like the one BAPy has. I used to smoke these on mine.

You just need a heat source, like a hotplate (I used a cheap soldering iron), some wood chips (dry), and a pan (I used a coffee can with holes poked near the bottom for air, and for the soldering iron to go through).

That will generate smoke, while making very little heat. I used to do this on cold winter nights for cheese, and the cheese didn't melt at all.

As for whether it will work on paprika, I don't know, but it seems like it should. It should do the job pretty quickly, maybe 30 minutes?

CD