Dan Davidson
New member
Should I fill the water pan or not? I've always used it, but I'm getting the idea that no water is better.
Brisket and Pork Shoulder
- Thread starter Dan Davidson
- Start date
ChristopherCG
TVWBB Fan
I switched to the clay saucer this year and have been thrilled with the results. My WSM is rock steady. But, if I didn't have the pot I'd use water (or sand). I think it helps to have something in there to keep your temps down/steady.
Dave Albracht
TVWBB Member
i have tried the saucer. I can't get the smoker to stay lower than 275. I want it to work. The cleanup is 10x better than water.
If you use lump make sure the ring is tightly packed, and only use 1/4-1/3 of a lit chimney. Same applies to briqs as far as the lit amount.
If you catch your temps at 25-50 deg shy of your target the dry or clay method will work just fine. If not you have excess air leakage somewhere.
I use the clay with Lump. For 225 I set the top at 100% and the bottoms at 10-15% when it gets to 190-200 deg.
For 250-275 deg I set the bottoms at 25% and 300+ 50-100%.
Be patient and keep practicing. It took me several Q's to get the hang of the settings when using the dry method. This method is VERY sensitive to small vent adjustments.
Good luck and happy smoking
If you catch your temps at 25-50 deg shy of your target the dry or clay method will work just fine. If not you have excess air leakage somewhere.
I use the clay with Lump. For 225 I set the top at 100% and the bottoms at 10-15% when it gets to 190-200 deg.
For 250-275 deg I set the bottoms at 25% and 300+ 50-100%.
Be patient and keep practicing. It took me several Q's to get the hang of the settings when using the dry method. This method is VERY sensitive to small vent adjustments.
Good luck and happy smoking
glen jones
TVWBB Pro
I use clay saucer and no water.
I start with 8 hot briqs dumped into the middle of full basket.
If you can't get the temp below 275 sounds like you might have started with to many hot briqs.
I start with 8 hot,all vents open.When temp reaches 200 I close all vents in bottom to about 1/8 and it settles in to around 225.
Good luck...JJ
I start with 8 hot briqs dumped into the middle of full basket.
If you can't get the temp below 275 sounds like you might have started with to many hot briqs.
I start with 8 hot,all vents open.When temp reaches 200 I close all vents in bottom to about 1/8 and it settles in to around 225.
Good luck...JJ