Water pan -- Use it or not? Why or Why not?

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birdman080

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Oct 4, 2016
75
18
Decatur, IL
If your smoker is equipped with a water pan, do you put water in it, some other form of mass in it, or just line it with foil?  Why do you do that?

I am new to smoking, so I am still deciding what kind of smoker to get (Propaner, WSM, or AMZN tube smoker to go on my current charcoal and gas grill) and also learning tips / techniques on smoking.
 
You can start by doing a search regarding water pans and move on from there.  There are a great deal of knowledgeable people here on the sight who can answer very specific questions when you have them.

Welcome to the sight.

John
 
I've done it two ways, and never noticed any difference.  I've filled the bowl with water, which I found to evaporate after some time, and I've since started leaving it empty.  Just to catch the burnt bisquettes that are pushed out. ( Bradley smoker ). Honestly, I didn't notice a darn bit of difference! leaving no water though did produce less to clean up.... the pucks almost smouldered to ash.
 
Everyone will have there ideas I suggest get your smoker and try both ways on different items to learn what you like. If your just starting I suggest the WSM there easy to use and very hands off once you get use to it.
 
 
You can start by doing a search regarding water pans and move on from there.  There are a great deal of knowledgeable people here on the sight who can answer very specific questions when you have them.

Welcome to the sight.

John
Thank you.  I did that and, just like you said, found a wealth of knowledge and answers.
 
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