Minion Method Question

[Doug_B]

As far as I know, the Minion Method calls for putting several lit coals on TOP of unlit coals. Does anyone put the lit coals UNDER the unlit coals? In other words put the lit coals in and then pour the unlit coals on top of those?

 

[K Kruger]

That would defeat its purpose. It would cause all the unlit to light fairly quickly.

 

[Doug_B]

I saw it done this way in a video and this method created much more "smoke" initially.

If the air is regulated, it's going to burn the same either way I figure. But maybe not.

Just never heard or seen it done that way and I was curious.

 

[K Kruger]

Smoke is created by wood and its proximity to the lit. If 'smoke' is being created by the lit on the bottom, it's from the charcoal, not the wood, unless the wood is next to the lit.

The air is regulated, yes, but there needs to be air so that the lit will burn. With air present and the unlit above, the lit will light the unlit in short order, again, defeating the purpose of a slow, measured, easily controllable temp rise.

With a typical Minion start one simply places the lit on top, wood scattered about. Soon, the lit gets the wood going - plenty of smoke from the wood from the get-go.

 

[Doug_B]

Makes sense. Thanks Kevin!

 

[Mark Evenson]

I personally have found it preferable, when cooking low and slow, to place the hot coals in one corner (hard to do corners in a round coal ring oh well?

). The adjacent coals catch and the temps seems to fluctuate less and stay on a more even keel.
I hate uneven keels.
Am doing a hh chicken on the WSM tonight and probably adjust the method.

Mark

 

[Michael G. (Canada Mike)]

I also put some of my wood on the bottom when I'm filling the ring, and the rest on top. That way I get some wood smoke going later in the cook.

 

[jason.yee]

heat rises so here is how i like to describe the comparison between minion method and regular method.

minion method would be like burning a candle with the flame on top. it would burn down slowly.

regular method (with lit coals placed at the bottom of unlit fuel) would be just lighting a candle upside-down. it would burn away a lot quicker.

 

[Scooter B]

I'm a firm believer in the Minion Method and I like how "clean" I can get my smoke. Typically within 20-30 min of dumping my lit coals I have zero visable smoke unless I add wood chunks.

Personally I like to form my lit in the center of the unlit in a pile. Then I lean my smoke wood against this pile giving it space for good airflow. I have tried burying chunks in my charcoal but I find controlling it this way just works better for me. I tend to add 80% of my wood at the start and add a bit more once I notice my "blue smoke" fading. Truthfully I think I just do that for show though!! haha

 

[Ernie D]

Before spending time learning on this site I used to light a few coals and pour a bunch of unlit on top. It burns much more quickly, and IMHO does not taste as clean as placing the lit above unlit. Minion burns a long time at a very steady temp. I love it, and will not go back.