Methods and systems for open-loop ignition of a smoke generator fuel source

A cooking system comprising:

• a lid assembly coupled to a base assembly and forming a cooking chamber therebetween, the lid assembly comprising a smoke generating assembly having an igniter configured to combust a fuel source within the smoke generating assembly, and the base assembly comprising a user interface configured to provide a selection of one or more operating modes of the smoke generating assembly;
• at least one sensor;
• and
• a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor and the igniter, the controller comprising a memory storing non-transitory executable instructions and a data processor configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory, which when executed cause the data processor to perform operating comprising
• receiving first data characterizing a selection of an operating mode of the smoke generating assembly, the selection received via the user interface and configured to activate the igniter,
• receiving second data characterizing a temperature of the cooking system,
• determining, based on the second data, a first amount of energy to cause the igniter to ignite the fuel source,
• determining, based on the first amount of electrical current, a second amount of electrical current to be output by the igniter over a period of time,
• comparing the second amount of electrical current to the first amount of electrical current, and
• causing, based on the comparing, the second amount of electrical current to be provided to the igniter for the period of time to cause the igniter to combust the fuel source.