How I start and use my WSM....

[den60]

If you seal your leftovers in vacuum bags you can boil water to heat them up.

I like this method the best.

 

[djsmokesupreme]

That's pretty cool. I just use a large bean can and pull it out with a gloved hand and channel locks.

Here's a picture of the fire, using the paint can method.  My wife is a genius.

firestart.jpg

• djsmokesupreme
• Jun 16, 2013

 

[jerseydrew]

i've used the minion method for a long time. last time i was outside i came up with a new way to start my smoker. takes less time and less prep. 

i fill the WSM with fuel and wood. i take 2 paraffin cubes and put them in the center and move 3 coals just around it. light the cube and let it flare up. in a few minutes i set the center section on the cooker. once i see smoke really rolling i put the entire cooker together and let her warm up. this cuts warm up time by at least 15 minutes...

 

[sam42830]

to fpnmf,

where did you get the terra cotta pot saucer?

sandy

 

[bama bbq]

to fpnmf,

where did you get the terra cotta pot saucer?

sandy

Pardon my imposition Sandy. I got mine at Lowes.

 

[sam42830]

to fpnmf,

Thank you for information.  Can you do one more thing for me?  Can you post a photo of the saucer out of the smoker?

Thanks,

sandy

 

[mdboatbum]

Pardon my imposition as well.

I got the one for my mini wsm at Lowes as well. I think mine was $7.99 or so. The bigger ones are a little more but none of them are very pricey. Pictured is Item #: 94461 at Lowe's. It's a 16 1/4" unglazed saucer. It's under $16.

029501202409lg.jpg

• mdboatbum
• Aug 6, 2013

 

[li-que]

If you seal your leftovers in vacuum bags you can boil water to heat them up.

That's what I've always done, meat stays moist like right off the smoker.

 

[sam42830]

thank you for the photo & information.  Appreciate the help from all of you.

Sandy

 

[coloradodude]

OK. I gotta ask.  What's a chimney?  How does it work?

 

[millerk0486]

A chimney is for lighting your charcoals. You fill up the chimney with coals and start a fire beneath it with paper or whatever. I use the white chocolates to start mine, usually 3. I like them because they leave virtually no ash an no taste.

Screenshot_2013-08-08-07-15-03.png

• millerk0486
• Aug 8, 2013

Chimney

Screenshot_2013-08-08-07-21-00.png

• millerk0486
• Aug 8, 2013

White Chocolates (aka Lighter Cubes)

 

[coloradodude]

Aha.  I presume one could use lighter fluid in place of the "white chocolate".  Also, I guess using a chimney is faster than simply squirting fluid onto briquettes in the bottom of the cooker.  Then, once the charcoal is lite in the chimney it gets dumped put into the bottomless can in the middle of the briquettes/wood mixture in the bottom of the WSM.  This can is removed and the combustion moves slowly out towards the edges which gives a slow, consistent heat source.  I appreciate your information.

 

[overground]

Aha.  I presume one could use lighter fluid in place of the "white chocolate".  Also, I guess using a chimney is faster than simply squirting fluid onto briquettes in the bottom of the cooker.  Then, once the charcoal is lite in the chimney it gets dumped put into the bottomless can in the middle of the briquettes/wood mixture in the bottom of the WSM.  This can is removed and the combustion moves slowly out towards the edges which gives a slow, consistent heat source.  I appreciate your information.

If you're gonna use lighter fluid, then you don't need the chimney.

That's the purpose of the chimney...to avoid the fumes, taste and toxins of the fluid.

You do not have to use the cubes, newspaper is the most commonly used medium for starting the chimney.

Most people use the cubes because they burn long and clean with no ash.

The rest of the concept, you have right.

 

[smoky jim]

I think it may have been mentioned before, but it bears repeating. If you have a gas BBQ with a side burner, starting a full chimney of charcoal (briquettes or hardwood) is easy. Just set the chimney on top of the side burner and heat over high flame until the charcoal is burning vigorously. No muss, no fuss. 

 

[coloradodude]

Thanks for the information.  Most of you guys are old timers and know all this stuff but I appreciate you patience and input.

 

[millerk0486]

You'll definitely notice a taste difference once you don't use the lighter fluid or match light charcoals. I'm not an old timer yet and am still learning. I used to use lighter fluid too until I saw someone use a chimney. Now that's all I use. I used to always use newspaper with the chimney, but now I use the lighter cubes because they leave no ash behind and they are cheap

 

[pryan1877]

+1 on the side burner, no scrounging for paper or waiting for the paper to catch fire to make the coals catch on fire.

 

[maloff28]

This may have already been asked and answered so I am sorry if I am repeating. Does this work for the 22.5 as well? Any modifications required?

 

[overground]

This may have already been asked and answered so I am sorry if I am repeating. Does this work for the 22.5 as well? Any modifications required?

Yes...more charcoal. 

Other than that, the methods be the same.

 

[kirton]

I always light my Weber platinum with a Looft Lighter, so no ash, no toxins and a lot quicker.  I am about to take delivery of a 22 WSM and plan to use the Looft on that as well.  By the way folks, this is a brilliant thread for WSM newbies like me!!

Kirton :)