To use water in pan or not?


 
NeilH

NeilH

TVWBB Emerald Member
Do you use a water pan when smoking ribs in the WSM smoker? Also how long and what temp? Plan to cover the bottom and top tray. Thanks for any recommendations.
 
Neil, you may get more answers if you posted this in a different category. For my two cents worth, I always use a water pan no matter what I cook. I use foil to cover the pan .No water. Works just fine
 
I'm probably the controversial one on this site: I use water in the pan to 1" of the top as long as I'm cooking at 250-275*. I fill the ring to the top with unlit lump and add a lit chimney full on top. It burns clean and stays in my cooking range for hours on end with all vent open 100%. Rarely do I have to choke the three bottom vents but if I do it's usually for about one hour at 75% open. If cooking at 325-350* the only difference is I use a foil wrapped clay saucer in the pan.
 
I always use water with ribs and sometimes with brisket. Never with butts, they don't need any added moisture, and never with chicken.

When I don't use water, I put a flower pot saucer in the pan. I will roll up a couple of rolls made from foil and put under the saucer then foil over the top of the saucer just to make cleanup easier. I know, the foil people love me.

If you use water in the pan, spray with Pam before adding water. Makes cleanup a snap.
 
The only thing I put in the water pan is foil (with an air gap between the foil and bottom of the pan). I've used water on a couple of occasions, but prefer the easier clean-up and higher heat with just foil.
 
NeilH said:
What size clay saucer do you use in the WSM 18.5" ?
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a 14" (or #36) will fit across the top of the pan and a 12.5 will sit in the bottom of the pan from a quick search. Most go with the 14" version. Getting ready for the first smoke in the new WSM this weekend?
 
Mike Leiter said:
a 14" (or #36) will fit across the top of the pan and a 12.5 will sit in the bottom of the pan from a quick search. Most go with the 14" version. Getting ready for the first smoke in the new WSM this weekend?
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I'm going with the 14 if I can find one. All the local stores are out but have 12.5 and 16. Figures.
 
NeilH said:
I'm going with the 14 if I can find one. All the local stores are out but have 12.5 and 16. Figures.
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I noticed at the stores around us when I bought my 16" one that Home Depot had way more of a selection in the stores than Lowes..Bad thing its the wrong part of the yr for this kind of stuff so stock may be low at places for awhile.
 
Mike Leiter said:
I noticed at the stores around us when I bought my 16" one that Home Depot had way more of a selection in the stores than Lowes..Bad thing its the wrong part of the yr for this kind of stuff so stock may be low at places for awhile.
Click to expand...
Mike I found a 14 at the other Home Depot in town today. Got lucky.
 
NeilH said:
Mike I found a 14 at the other Home Depot in town today. Got lucky.
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Great! Don't forget to post pics of the smoke you do this weekend now...I had my water pan in when I did the first smoke with chickens but pulling it and using foiled saucer for now on for Turkey and shoulders in next few weeks.
 
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