Just about to start my very first smoke in my 30" MES. My question is should I put water in the water pan, I am smoking 4lbs of Hi Mountain Snackin sticks.
they just say 1 1/2 to 2 hours with smoke on and then until IT reaches 165F DO NOT OVER SMOKEI never made Hi Mt Snack Sticks, but I never put water in my pan when making my unstuffed Beef sticks, and they turn out just right. I think a lot has to do with the amount of time you take to get them to your target, and how thick they are. If you smoke for a whole lot of hours, at a low temp, you might want to add water, but if you're keeping it under 8 hours, you shouldn't need it. IMO
Doesn't Hi Mt say anything about it in their directions?
Bear
At what Temp?they just say 1 1/2 to 2 hours with smoke on and then until IT reaches 165F DO NOT OVER SMOKE
Then I would definitely NOT put water in the pan. They'll be done quick enough to not get too dry (or in English---They'll be moist enough without water in the pan).200F sorry I forgot that info
Thanks very much for your help, would you suggest a different cook temp? little lower and slower?Then I would definitely NOT put water in the pan. They'll be done quick enough to not get too dry (or in English---They'll be moist enough without water in the pan).
However---Cover your pan with foil, and put it in place while smoking. It should always be in place.
Bear
Probably not for those.Thanks very much for your help, would you suggest a different cook temp? little lower and slower?
Thansk for the help Bear! I appreciate it!Probably not for those.
I'm guessing they're pretty thin, like maybe 3/8" to 1/2". If you used a lower temp, you'd have to smoke them longer to get to 160˚/165˚. Then they could get dry or hard.
If they were 3/4" to 1" or more in thickness, I'd do them lower (140˚ to 160˚) for awhile (4 or 5 hours), and then take it to 190˚ or 200˚ to get them to 160˚/165˚. This is just what I would do---Others may differ.
Bear
They are laying on the racks. Your right about the temp they are shooting up pretty quick.Bear is right...Your snack sticks have lots of water in them anyways, so I would not use water in the pan either.
The water pan is used for moisture, heat sink and also a heat deflector in a MES. I suggest you use it, but don't use any water. Your snack sticks should get to temp pretty quickly, especially if you don't open the door to peek!!
Are you hanging your sticks or laying them on the racks?
Here's a pic of my EZ Sausage Rack
Todd
Do you get a more even temp when you hang your sticks?Bear is right...Your snack sticks have lots of water in them anyways, so I would not use water in the pan either.
The water pan is used for moisture, heat sink and also a heat deflector in a MES. I suggest you use it, but don't use any water. Your snack sticks should get to temp pretty quickly, especially if you don't open the door to peek!!
Are you hanging your sticks or laying them on the racks?
Here's a pic of my EZ Sausage Rack
Todd