Black Particles?

[Dave Schwartz]

I smoked the competition ribs today and they were great. After I had foiled the ribs and let them on the smoker for about 1 1/2 hours, I lifted up the cover and and noticed black particles falling out of the inside of the cover all over the place. I've not had this happen before. I don't think the smoker is overly dirty as this was maybe my 6th or 7th time I used it. Has anybody had this happen??

 

[Bill Hays]

Dave,

That's going to happen from time to time unless you periodically brush the build-up off with a brillo pad, soft wire brush or similar. Only take a minute and can save the day

Edit: Here's some good info on cleaning the WSM and there are several threads on the particles falling from the lid under search

 

[Bryan S]

My 2 cents worth. I have not had this problem since swithching over to LUMP.

Bryan

 

[Dave Schwartz]

Bill, It was snowing black particles!! I've already taken your advise and cleaned the top. The particles were so fine that it looked like a swarm of fruit flies as I was brushing it out.

Bryan, Is the theory behind lump coal that you'll use less? I noticed that my local Ace sells it but I didn't check out their price. Also, does it require a modification to the charcoal great so it doesn't fall through? Thanks for your help.

 

[Bryan S]

Dave, the charcoal grate mod is a must if you want to burn lump IMO. Use less depends how you look at it. If i use kinsford and fill the ring up it's somewhere in the 16 - 18 lb range. If i fill the ring up with lump it's about 7 - 8 lbs depending on the density of the lump. I got a 20 hr burn out of 8.5 lbs of Humphrey's lump with the guru. started with 6 lbs and added another 2.5 lbs at the 15 hr mark. I love Lump Bryan

 

[Bill Hays]

Well, the fruit flies over here are of pretty good size

Otherwise, I'm thinking it must be something in your fuel; charcoal, lump or other. Are you sure it's coming from the lid and not floating around from the fuel as a result of the convection?

 

[Dave Schwartz]

Well, now I don't know. I used Kingsford like I always do with Hickory chunks.

It was a brand new bag of Kingsford from Sam's. Very strange