charcoal ring size on 18.5 - also modifying 22 ring

[Bob Bass]

Jeff,

Unlike your stick burner, the WSM really doesn't require modifications to the charcoal ring. Yes, the modifications members have made are cool. Whatever quantity of meats you are cooking will require a certain amount of heat energy. Controlling how many coals are lit at a single time determines how much heat energy is developed. And controlling how many coals are lit is determined by the amount of combustion air available to the coals, which you control with the lower vents. With a newer WSM that has yet to accumulate enough 'gunk' to seal any additional air leaks, coal usage will be high and in most cases the pitmaster will not be able to fully shut off that combustion air so you end up using the full coal load. Once there's enough 'gunk', closing the vents will put out the 'fire' and hence coal usage. This is true whether the charcoal ring has been modified or not.

And the best method to build that gunk is.... Cook More and Often !



Bob

 

[Jeff Padell]

Bob
That makes sense, this was only my second cook, so there is not much build up and I can see smoke coming from all around the lid. One suggestion I like but find it awkward to do, is to lift the lid and middle section off and put the top from my OTG 22 on the bottom to smother the fire and save coals.
I am cooking again this weekend, a couple butts.

 

[Jeff Padell]

Jeff to snuff your coals faster .... I see you have a 22 OTG, when you are done using the 22 WSM, remove the top and center sections and use the lid from your OTG on the bottom section of your WSM. That will smother the coals sooner and get you more of an air tight fit or drop the coals into your SJS to snuff them out. The SJS will work even faster.

Re. your coal ring.. cut a piece of 48 inch expanded metal and make to the height you desire then just bolt (and unbolt) it together where you want your ring for that day.. example you can go from 12 inch circle to 15 inches based on the needs of your cook.

Last night I check how many coals I had left, and then shut all the vents, this morning it was about the same number of coals so it must be seasoned enough to be more airtight.