Just a thinkin'

[mfatty500]

I'm a fixin' to smoke a few butts this weekend, and after reading, should I use a water pan or not? The little unit I have has a water pan for about 24oz. at time. What do you guys/gals think? I have smoked plenty of hiney's before, using the water pan. It's just got me thinking... This is an electric unit.

 

[noboundaries]

You'll get more smoke flavor with the water pan. In an electric smoker, it helps.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Honestly, I don't use the water pan anymore.

 

[SonnyE]

I'm not a Stanley Steamer myself.
But I am open minded. (Well... about some stuff.)
I'd like to see how it comes out.

 

[Bigtank]

I get good results both ways. I don't use water in GMG or UDS but I always do in my Back Woods. I will say I think the backwoods delivers the best results for competition cooks but it is the most work to clean up when your done.

 

[TomKnollRFV]

I don't use the water pan, but I also use a MES...so it's very well insulated.

 

[Bearcarver]

It depends on the Smoker.
Putting water in the Pan in an MES is a Bad idea, because it's so well insulated.
Without putting water in the Pan, there is still too much Humidity inside.
No need to add to the problem.

Bear

 

[tbrtt1]

I never use water in my electric. You are probably fine either way, but I wouldn’t think it necessary.

 

[dr k]

So far I haven't heard about condensation leaking out the bottom of the Mes this winter like last year without water in the pan. But the winter just started. Especially those of us with windows. Those drops on the inside window that miss the bottom pan find their way out other than the drain hole.

 

[mfatty500]

Well i decided to use the water pan again, she turned out pretty darn good, took about 10 hours @275* it was a little windy, but the cook forgot to get pics while being pulled. Here's a before & after

 

[noboundaries]

Looks GREAT!

 

[Bearcarver]

Well i decided to use the water pan again, she turned out pretty darn good, took about 10 hours @275* it was a little windy, but the cook forgot to get pics while being pulled. Here's a before & after

Looks Great from here, 500!!

BTW: I did a little Look-see on "Aldi", and if I'm right it is an Analog Electric Smoker with a 1500W Heating Element, similar to the Masterbuilt Analog Smoker.
That would tell me that it is not insulated like the MES units, and it probably has to run more often to maintain the heat, and adding water to the pan might be a good thing, because it won't hold the humidity in there like an MES unit does.
Adding water to an MES water pan is normally a Bad thing.

Bear

 

[Hawging It]

Try 1/2 water and 1/2 apple juice.

 

[mfatty500]

Bear, I have used it in less windy conditions and it took a little less time than this cook, but that's no biggie, the eaters re the ones that get anxious when ready to eat. @Hawgin it i did use a little apple juice & some leftover ginger beer & wine that was left out all night to for moisture. I also spritzed this with apple juice & cranberry juice

 

[Bearcarver]

Bear, I have used it in less windy conditions and it took a little less time than this cook, but that's no biggie, the eaters re the ones that get anxious when ready to eat. @Hawgin it i did use a little apple juice & some leftover ginger beer & wine that was left out all night to for moisture. I also spritzed this with apple juice & cranberry juice

My main point is that an uninsulated electric smoker , like your Aldi, might have a use for adding liquid to the water pan, but with an insulated electric smoker, like an MES it is a bad thing to add Water.

As for adding liquids other than water----9 years ago, before I realized it was a bad thing to add liquid to my MES water pan, I tried Beer, and I tried Apple Juice. There was ZERO flavor added by either of those---No different than Water.

Spritzing has it's uses, but with an electric smoker the bad effect you get from opening the door to spritz may overpower the good you get from the spritzing.

Bear