Thanks Glenn. I'm using K briquettes for this one with a water pan full of hot water. My first overnighter was a brisket using RO lump and hot water in the pan but I lost fuel too early (while I was sleeping) and was only using a cheapie therm that didn't have a low temp alarm. My temp dropped to 100F (started at 9pm, strong 240 at 1am when I went to bed and a lowly 100F by 6am when I woke up) and I was out of lump so I panicked, foiled the meat and put it in a 225 oven to finish (I had 9 hrs in the WSM by then and the meat was 140F). Finished a little overdone at 3pm (11.5lb full brisket).
This time I have a brand new ET-73 that I was just setting up for the first time when I read your post
I'm also PACKING the ring with fuel and 6 pieces of Smokinlicious Cherry (but I have Sugar Maple if you think that's a better fit)this time. I don't think I got a full pack with the lump last time and, as a rookie, figured I could get to my corner store for more lump in the morning if needed but I ran out too early.
As noted earlier, I injected this butt and I'm not sure if this will affect cooking times but I'll see how the Maverick handles the temps (and waking me up).
I plan on starting a running post of this overnighter once everything gets going well.
Quick question to all, can I overstuff the ring and choke the fuel (assuming I adjust the vents properly to get a consistent temp)? I will probably watch it from 10pm to 3am and sleep for 4 hrs, nap and check back in.
Sorry for the long post. I'm just hoping for a great butt as I have friends and family over tomorrow.
James