I have a newer 18.5" water smoker. I know Chris has a video as well as advice regarding foiling the water pan. Any advice with the newer smokers as to whether to foil and maybe how to?
I tried to foil using two pieces. It leaked, boiled, dripped on my fire, and made a mess. Now I just put hot water in the pan and wash it in the sink after each cook.
but I always foil. I have an older WSM so maybe I'm missing the point. But, I find two sheets of wide foil, one in each directions saves an enormous amount of work. On a long cook I found the water invariably dries out and then the clean up is a nightmare. If you ever leave it a while without cleaning up right away, something, ahem, I of course never do, then it's even worse. So, I always foil.
? I don't think so, it doesn't seem to puddle up in the pan, it seems to vaporize anyway (maybe not for PP, I don't remember). The hole I really want to drill is in the bottom section to prevent water from building up inside it for when I "forget" to put the cover on it.