Minion Method

[blueviper]

How do I use the Minion Method with a offset smoker? 

 

[wade]

You can di this in a couple of ways.

The first is similar to the minion method in a bullet smoker. Place the unlit charcoal in a basket in the fire box and add some lit coals to the centre or to one end.

You can also create a snake of briquettes up and down the grate in the fire box and then light one end.

I have used both. I fond the basket method is better for larger offsets and the snake for smaller.

 

[blueviper]

In the firebox of my smoker do I just make a pile of Charcoal and/or (I was going to use Apple wood also) and then just put like 12 or 15 lit charcoal l on top of it? I can do that with the apple wood also or do I need to use briquettes and add the apple wood to the lit charcoal? How long does this burn for? Can I leave it for 3 or 4 hours?

I have a Char-broil 1280

Thank You,

Bill "BlueViper" Rindom

 

[bmaddox]

Do you have a basket for your fire box? You will need one if you are trying to do the minion method as Wade described it.

 

[joe black]

I have a basket (XXL) in my FB. I put about a half basket of RO lump in the basket and leave a valley in the middle. I lite about 1/2-2/3 chimney of RO briqs and when they get ashed over I dump them in the valley. After the lump has become involved, I will add a couple of splits. When the CC gets to temp and the splits are burning nicely, I put my meat on and add any smoke wood that I want to use.

 

[blueviper]

Is the basket something I can get at Walmart or is it something I need to have made also, does it need to have a divider in it?

 

[bmaddox]

 
Is the basket something I can get at Walmart or is it something I need to have made also, does it need to have a divider in it?

You probably can find one online but most of the ones I see are homemade. You can get sheets of expanded metal at Lowes or HD that are easy to work with to make a basket.

 

[bruno994]

TS_Pullout_Charcoal_Basket_3.jpg

• bruno994
• May 26, 2015

11-1.jpg

• bruno994
• May 26, 2015

firebasket.jpg

• bruno994
• May 26, 2015

Just a couple ideas.  You really don't need the angle iron for the corners, but it does make it more stable.  As others have stated you can typically buy some of the expanded metal at hardware stores or even find some at scrap yards.  Just make you three 90 degree bends and some tie wire to attach the end pieces.

 

[joe black]

As I said in my post last week, my basket is an XXL brand. Good quality and custom made to your needs. Check them out on line. Joe