My new friend, Sand

[cooknhogz]

Smoking 3 butts today and was concerned that the weather here in NW Pa. which is cold, rain, and windy was going to be a major crash on my party. So for the first time I did the old sand in the water pan trick (that I first heard of here at SMF) and I hooked. The temp in the smoker is up where i want it to be with no problem and the butts smell so good make ya wanna smack your mamas, mama.

 

[oldschoolbbq]

 , BALLAST  IS  GOOD

 

[pit 4 brains]

Give's a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Pound sand!" Good job. Smoking takes a little innovation sometimes...

 

[nivekd]

I've used sand and pea gravel...works great.

 

[rickypro]

I too use sand now.  It really seems to work well.
 

 

[scootermagoo]

Wait...what?  What are you using the sand and/or pea gravel for?

 

[s2k9k]

Wait...what?  What are you using the sand and/or pea gravel for?

It is used as a thermal mass to help maintain consistent temps. Same reason the water is in there except water won't go above 212* and as it evaporates the temps will fluctuate.

 

[scootermagoo]

Gottcha.  Should have figured that out when the term ballast was used.  I usually throw in a couple or 3 bricks in my smoker.  I have a CG Pro.

 

[silverlion]

I'd have never thought about sand until I heard it here. I will be doing this on my next smoke out.

 

[jarjarchef]

We borrowed a pitmaster vault and I had told some of my crew about using sand in place of water. They think I am off my rocker.... I may be a little off, but it will work.

 

[pgsmoker64]

First...it has to be said...

     

Second,

I have not used sand in my water bowl...using water, even after foiling, is pretty messy. 

All you sand pounders, talk to me about what you do with the sand when it becomes saturated with grease or how you keep it from becoming saturated with grease.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[davidhef88]

I put my sand pan in the oven at the temp I'll be cooking at to bring it to temp before putting it in the smoker. Seems to heat quicker and isn't using my propane.


David

 

[davidhef88]

Cover it with foil or toss or every time a 50 lb. bag is only a couple bucks.


David

 

[s2k9k]

Like David said, cover it with foil and place a disposable foil pan on top of it to catch drippings. I've been using the same sand for months now doing it this way. 

 

[pgsmoker64]

Like David said, cover it with foil and place a disposable foil pan on top of it to catch drippings. I've been using the same sand for months now doing it this way. 

Thanks Dave and David! 

I will give the sand a try.

Bill

 

[damon555]

I'm a sand convert too....My 22.5" WSM is rock steady with sand in the pan....cover it with foil, toss the foil when done and wallah all cleaned up. I will most likely never use water again.....

 

[davidhef88]

I'm a sand convert too....My 22.5" WSM is rock steady with sand in the pan....cover it with foil, toss the foil when done and wallah all cleaned up. I will most likely never use water again.....

I won't use water again. My first overnight butt I was up every 45 min. putting water in the pan. With sand and my Mav 732 its an easy overnighter.


David

 

[s2k9k]

And you can't achieve a Dry Smoke Chamber with water in the pan:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...dry-smoke-chamber-q-view-finished#post_855699