weber charcoal smoker

[wensmoke]

Can I use ceramic charcoal briquettes in my charcoal smoker.

 

[noboundaries]

Ceramic briquettes, lava rocks, bricks, sand, clay all work the same way.  Basically they are a heat sink for even heat distribution.  Personally I wouldn't use the ceramic briquettes in the fuel ring, but you could.  I'd use them in the water pan for dry or wet-to-dry smoking to help maintain even temps if that's an issue for your smoker. 

 

[wensmoke]

Thank you, do you know if you should use lighter fluid on charcoal briquettes to start the smoker?

 

[timstalltaletav]

Thank you, do you know if you should use lighter fluid on charcoal briquettes to start the smoker?

I would strongly advise against doing that, the taste of petro products never goes away. Get a chimney starter or start the briquettes with a torch.

 

[wensmoke]

Thanks so much, I appreciate your advice. Actually, we have a wonderful electric smoker, it is my son who has the charcoal smoker. I told him about the forum, but I don't think he has used it yet. I will definitely tell him. He smoked a brisket, and used the lighter fluid, we didn't think it was a good idea. thanks again.

 

[noboundaries]

Once upon a time I used lighter fluid to start the charcoal in my oldest Weber Kettle.  Once I switched to a charcoal chimney there was no turning back.  Such a big difference.  If it is what he is used to he probably doesn't notice the taste.  Once he switches though, it is apparent.  Heck, if you were in Sacramento I'd give you one, or two.  I have two old rusted ones out back that just haven't made their way to the trash can.  They are still usable, just ugly and nasty looking. 

Buy him a charcoal chimney as a gift to start his charcoal briquettes.  The instructions say to use newspaper, but before I started using the side grill on my gasser to light the chimney I used brown paper bags from the grocery store.  Tear it into three pieces, crumple them up, fill the bottom of the chimney, light it and 15-20 minutes later the charcoal is hot and ashed over. 

 

[wensmoke]

Thanks so much again. I will pass all that information on to him. Hopefully, he will use the smokers forum. thanks again:)