WSM 18" Using the Lower Section - Question

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portlandroger

Fire Starter
Original poster
Dec 23, 2012
61
11
Portland, Oregon
[h2] [/h2]
It's been so long since I have used my lower level rack (only have used it one time) in my 18"
WSM, that I forget the difference in temp down there.

Can anyone please give me a refresher here?

I'm cooking 6 racks of St. Louis Ribs tomorrow for Fathers Day & my dad's 90th birthday.

I do not use a water tray - I use a sand heat sink. My water bowl is full of sand, and I have a
foil covered terra-cotta plant tray on top of the sand to catch drippings.

I typically have my remote (Maverick) set at 225° for the upper rack and my ribs take about
4 - 5 hours. Will the lower rack run hotter than the upper? Do I need to put my thermometer
down there for accuracy?

I'm up for all suggestions.

Thanks!
 
If you preheat the wsm to 225 the lower rack should stay at 225.... The thing is that the water pan (full) will produce 212* under the lower rack and the upper rack will be 225* so both racks will be equal.
However if your cooking butts at 275* the lower rack will be quite a bit cooler so you should rotate anything your cooking hotter than 225*

I think you will be safe if you preheat the smoker /water
 
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