Slow n Sear Tips?

[goofyman23]

Not sure if this is better suited in General, but going to toss out my first post here.

I've recently swapped from using a propane vertical smoker to an SNS in my 22" weber. I've had relatively good success with shorter smokes however have noticed with longer cooks (have a pork shoulder on right now), that the coals get suffocated by the leftover ash. If I dont pay close attention to my temp probes, I've had them almost go completely out or end up with large swings in pit temp. This also requires me to shuffle the coals around which generates a lot of airborn junk that likes to settle on the protein, or dirty smoke being generated...yum.

Am I doing something inherently wrong? Is this normal? Any tips, suggestions, etc. are appreciated.

 

[JCAP]

Happens to me too with the ash on mine. I just make sure that I sweep the bottom of the kettle every few hours or so. I have the original SNS with no bottom grate attached so I don't know how it's different compared to the newer model with the grate.

The other thing is charcoal to use- Kingsford produces more ash for me than other brands (like FOGO or B&B lump) so I try to stick to the less ashy brands. This is all my unscientific observation and YMMV.

 

[goofyman23]

Happens to me too with the ash on mine. I just make sure that I sweep the bottom of the kettle every few hours or so. I have the original SNS with no bottom grate attached so I don't know how it's different compared to the newer model with the grate.

The other thing is charcoal to use- Kingsford produces more ash for me than other brands (like FOGO or B&B lump) so I try to stick to the less ashy brands. This is all my unscientific observation and YMMV.

My ash is stuck in the SNS, not at the bottom of the kettle so it take a good amount of fudging around to get it going. I had tried some Royal oak lump but struggled with getting consistent temps.

 

[JCAP]

I would just tap lightly on the SNS and the ash should fall through. Once it falls, then add more coals and keep going. The other thing is to make sure your packing enough coals into the SNS. With enough coals and a tighter pack, I wouldn't expect ash to stop the coals from burning from one end to the other.

How are you lighting the SNS?

 

[1MoreFord]

As others have said try some different charcoal that leaves little ash. I'm fond of B&B Lump. I haven't used any briquettes in a long time but would steer clear of Kingsford and look at B&B or Cowboy all natural hardwood briquettes. The Cowboy is the same recipe as the old Stubb's charcoal many folks loved a few years ago that is just carbon with starch as a binder. You can get the cowboy at most Lowe's stores.

 

[mike243]

I hate lump on my kettle, it is bad about popping and leaving cinders on my food, no more lump in the kettle for me. I use the baskets that came with my performer and no problems on ash , I have to add to smoke a but a few times

 

[goofyman23]

I would just tap lightly on the SNS and the ash should fall through. Once it falls, then add more coals and keep going. The other thing is to make sure your packing enough coals into the SNS. With enough coals and a tighter pack, I wouldn't expect ash to stop the coals from burning from one end to the other.

How are you lighting the SNS?

I light a small amount in my chimney (maybe 5-8 briquttes), drop those into 1 corner of the SNS, and fill the rest with unlit.

I'm currently using Kingsford, may give another charcoal a try based on others comments above.

 

[gmc2003]

Well lets see. I use my SnS a ton in my 26" kettle and usually get anywhere from 6 to 8 hours running at around 250*. When I start it I just put a Weber starter cube in the corner and surround it with about 4 or 5 briquettes. I start with the vents wide open and begin shutting it down as the temp rises. If I'm looking to cook in the 225* range then I'll add water to the trough when my coals are partially lit. I always keep the top vent wide open. I use water when going for longer cooks(ribs, brisket and such). Also don't bury your wood in the charcoal. Place it on the top of the coals. This will allow you to have more briquettes in the SnS.

Chris