water or no water?

andrew62

Newbie

Original poster

Apr 4, 2015

4

10

• Apr 4, 2015

• #1

I am going to smoke the prime rib thats in the smoking meat book should i use a water pan? soak the chips? It doesn't say in the book also how long for a 10 pounder?

 

b-one

Legendary Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Aug 31, 2014

8,954

1,562

Michigan

• Apr 4, 2015

• #2

Most don't use water try it wet one time dry the next see for yourself it's best to try small changes while learning your preferences. Take a rack of ribs for example foil half go naked the other half experimenting is half the fun. Don't soak wood you want it to smoke not steam. If you have problems ask questions someone will most likely have an answer. Don't forget the qview(pics) and keep a log of what you do so you can replicate your success and avoid failures as much as possible,good luck!

 

rmmurray

Master of the Pit

Mar 21, 2015

1,060

123

Rock Hill, SC

• Apr 4, 2015

• #3

b-one is right on the money. No water and don't soak chips. The best advice I ever recieved (and I believe it was from dirt sailor, but I'm not 100% certain so I apologize if it was not him) was to make a small change, wait 15 minutes, see how that change affected the smoker, make another small change and wait 15 more minutes. You will complete this step as many times as it takes until you get the smoker working right for you. Patience is key. Good luck my friend.
- Ryan

 

Last edited: Apr 4, 2015

andrew62

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 4, 2015

4

10

• Apr 4, 2015

• #4

thanks for the advice don't want to screw up this 100.00 dollar hunk of meat my wife will make me sleep in the truck. Ah hell it wouln't be the first time 

 

andrew62

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 4, 2015

4

10

• Apr 4, 2015

• #5

thanks for the advice

 

pit 4 brains

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Dec 16, 2009

2,557

618

Summerville, SC

• Apr 5, 2015

• #6

I only used a water pan one time. It became a mess and was just a pain to deal with. I mostly smoke in a UDS but even when I use my vertical propane, I don't use water.

Ditto on thee chips, don't soak.

 

acres87

Fire Starter

Oct 27, 2013

70

19

Big Sandy, MT

• Apr 5, 2015

• #7

I personally use water, more for temperature regulation I suppose. I do not soak chips as some of the regulars will tell you it can impart an acrid flavor.

 

kihler

Smoke Blower

Mar 14, 2015

133

35

Arizona

• Apr 5, 2015

• #8

No soaking the chips. I start with a layer of fine chips and than a layer of larger chips. The smaller chips start smoking in just a couple of minutes and they also help get the larger chips going.