Isn't the Minion Method Contradictory?

[meandmytwodogs]

I've read so many posts and heard so much opinion on pre-heating coals v/s throwing in the un-heated coals and I thought the verdict was that you should pre-burn your coals before throwing them into the smoker. So isn't it a contradiction of this to place unheated coals into the smoker to prolong the burn time? I've noticed that if I put coals in that aren't completley heated, that there is a lot more ugly smoke than I care to have rollin. I usually use a chimney and burn until the smoke stops, then throw em in. I think you get a cleaner heat and a less bitter smoke flavor this way too.

Any thoughts?

Dave

 

[geek with fire]

Kind of. But I think that really matters mostly when you are talking about bricks. When using pure lump coal, that's just not the case. Lump doesn't have the binders that create the harsh flavors when they burn.

If you think about it, lump is basically preburned already. So, preburning it again only gains you the temperature factor, not flavor. Just keep in mind that lump burns hotter and more uneven compaired to bricks. So steady your intake adjustments or your basket will turn into a blazing infirno in no time.

 

[ddave]

It also depends on what kind of briquettes you are using. Blue Bag Kingsford made on the West coast stinks to high Heaven when it lights so I would never use it for the minion method or in a drum. Kingsford Comp smells just fine when it lights so it is an okay choice.

Jim Minion addresses the cons in his desecription of the method.

Dave

 

[alx]

Right on Dave.My sister gave me a bag of Wicked Good briquetts to try and compared to blue bag it is clean and natural.

I have used the kingsford comp and like that way better then blue bag.

The natural briquetts are worth price to me.....