question about beans

[Nate L]

I'm doing this season's first smoke tomorrow night--2 butts, bone-in, overnight. We're eating at 6:00pm so the timing is a little tricky; I'll probably put them on sometime after midnight. I've never done beans in the smoker but I'd like to try. People seem to rave about Barbie's Down South beans, so that's what I'll try. Here are my questions: 1) I would rather not leave them to cook unwatched overnight. If I put them on first thing in the morning, should I add some more smoke wood then for flavor? I usually just add wood at the start but it's mostly gone after 6 or 7 hours. 2) Drippings. This is a special occasion so I'm not scared of the fat. Do I just put 'em underneath and let the beans soak up the drippings? Are drippings better the first half of the smoke than the second? Is there a difference? 3) All of last year's frozen Que is gone so I don't have anything to mix in. I will add bacon, but should I also add some smoked ham, or some of the pork after it's done?
thanks!

 

[Bryan S]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nate L:
People seem to rave about Barbie's Down South beans, so that's what I'll try. Here are my questions: 1) I would rather not leave them to cook unwatched overnight. If I put them on first thing in the morning, should I add some more smoke wood then for flavor? I usually just add wood at the start but it's mostly gone after 6 or 7 hours. 2) Drippings. This is a special occasion so I'm not scared of the fat. Do I just put 'em underneath and let the beans soak up the drippings? Are drippings better the first half of the smoke than the second? Is there a difference? 3) All of last year's frozen Que is gone so I don't have anything to mix in. I will add bacon, but should I also add some smoked ham, or some of the pork after it's done?
thanks! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Nate, good choice, my favorite beans. You can add some more wood to the coals when you put the beans on. Just don't add your normal amount when you put the butts on (leave 2 chunks for the AM). Yep, under the butts. If you get too much drippings on top, skim some off before stirring the beans. I only ever put bacon in mine, I pre-cook it to eliminate most of the fat since you'll be getting the drippings from the butts. HTH

 

[Nate L]

Thanks! I read the thread about using uncooked bacon and I hear what everyone is saying--but i always cook bacon before adding it. Anyway, good advice, much appreciated.
N