Kind of off the wall question about handling hot coals / stirring etc.

[Yianni]

So one day I got bold and just stuck my hand in my WSM to rearrange the coals wearing your standard 2 pack grey (pigskin I think) work gloves. It worked great. Now I always use them to add coals or stir them up and anytime handling anything hot that has to do with the smoker. Granted I am not seeing how long I can hold a red hot coal in my hand but am I nuts? How do you do it?

 

[Bob Sample]

Those look like the pair I have but they are much cleaner.

 

[Len Dennis]

Never found a need to stir 'em. Once I get them set and lit, I have no need to stir.

 

[Mark Skeet]

I don't usually stir either. If I need to knock off some ash I'll gently kick one of the legs.

 

[Jerry N.]

I have a pair of leather insulated (winter) gloves that work well for handling the hot stuff but as others has said, I don't normally have to touch hot coals. I get my fire going and let it go. I've done over 12 hour cooks and never touched the coals or added any coals. That said, a pair of gloves is necessary equipment to have around.

 

[r benash]

Those gloves are fine IMHO and have used them the same way.

I used to use heavy gloves. I have those and another set of long gauntlet leather. But mostly now only use them for fireplace work.

I found over 10-12 years I don't really need to shovel coals so much. For the times I need to distribute lit say I've found long tongs to be a better solution.

For leveling of coals I use a rake for the last 6 years or so. Along with the tongs for minor adjustments/specific placement Something like this:

Rake Example

This is the one I have from Tejas Smokers


For the WSM I typically only use the tongs during set up of the minion start to add some precision to placing/distributing the lit. I don't think I ever use the rake except maybe on a long cook if I want to shake the coals a bit through the side door, I typically just give the legs a couple bumps.

I mostly use the rake/distribute coals on the grill/Performer. Rough position with the rake after the dump of lit then use the tongs if I need to grab the few coals that might escape and toss them back where they should be.

For hot bulky food I use food handling gloves for ungainly items like roasts, ribs, large items that might break up or typical instruments. Most time I use leather gloves now during Q is for handling food grates directly.

 

[Paul H]

I'm like the rest of the guys. Never rake the coals once they get going. The only need I have for the gloves is when I put the lit coals in form the chimney. I pick up any coals that have fallen to the side of the WSM and put them back on top.

 

[timothy]

I have an old fireplace poker I use to stir up the leftover coals on the next cook. For picking up a stray or rearranging hot coals/wood chunks I use some old tongs.

Tim

 

[Scott Underwood]

I use the same pair of gloves, but for picking up hot coals, arranging wood chunks a use a pair of old fireplace thongs donated to me by my father in law and they work great. I usually don't stir the coals as this could get ash on the meat. If I'm running out of fuel I add some with the tongs, lit or unlit depending on if there is an area of hot coals left.