Snake and Minion burn time and Temp data?

[Deeez]

Hi All, I hope this post finds you ALL well and having great smokes.
I was wondering if there is any data out there that tells us how long a snake or minion will burn for and at what temperatures for say a, 22" WSM or a 26" kettle?
Just thought it would be interesting to know as I did a cook with a snake and 2briquettes on the bottom and 1 on top between the 4 corners of the bottom ones and it stayed around 200f and I knew I had a lesson coming.

I know it may depend on what types of fuel your using ... I'm not a pro with wood and I cant get lumps here, so maybe for briquettes.
Anyway, just wanted to through that out there and thanks ahead for any input.

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

On my 22” kettle, I’ll do about 2/3 around kettle with snake method. Briquettes stacked 2x2 and it will run about 225-240 for 6 -7 hours for ribs.

 

[chopsaw]

This is based on a 26" Kettle . I did a test when I first got the 26 . Had never used the snake method before . I set it up with 2 on the bottom 1 on top . R.O. ridge charcoal .

After about an hour . Sitting steady at 260 .

I was so impressed by the even temp and slow burn , I extended the snake and put a 13 pound packer on . Ran at 260 for 8 hours . Finished in the oven .
Snake had plenty of life left .

These are from other smokes .
Pulled the meat from this burn after 10 hours at 260 . Still going strong .
The beginning was stacked 2/1 about 75% of the snake . At the end I stack coals in more of a pile , to make up for any stall or evap cooling that may be going on .


Shorter cook setup . Something I do to start on all cooks . I light the snake and let it settle in .
I made that small chimney so I could light a small stack of coals to add when the meat goes on cold . Separate from the snake . The small stack makes up for the cold mass , and your not using up the snake to over come the temp drop .
That can take an hour or more out of your run time on the snake .


So this is my basic setup now after several long smokes on the 26 .
I always clean my 26 the day after a long smoke . You don't want stuff sitting on the bottom or getting stuck to the bottom . If you leave it dirty , the clean out vanes will not seal to the bottom , and it can make temps hard to control .
I always start clean , and keep it clean .

I've started smoking at higher temps , so this is a pretty heavy run of good charcoal . For me this runs around 300 choked down .
8 to 12 hours depending on conditions outside .

I then position the grate so the opening is at a point where I can easily add more fuel if needed . I usually keep lump charcoal around for that .

That's just how I do it after 7 brisket cooks , and all this is pretty much based on
an 11 to 13 pound packer brisket smoke . My basic use for the 26 is brisket and ribs .

 

[sawhorseray]

That's just how I do it after 7 brisket cooks , and all this is pretty much based on
an 11 to 13 pound packer brisket smoke . My basic use for the 26 is brisket and ribs .

Thanks for this post Rich, I just picked up a ton of valuable information! RAY

 

[JLeonard]

Dang that chopsaw is a font of info! I've also wondered about the burn times a snake.

Jim

 

[smokin peachey]

This is based on a 26" Kettle . I did a test when I first got the 26 . Had never used the snake method before . I set it up with 2 on the bottom 1 on top . R.O. ridge charcoal .
View attachment 503896
After about an hour . Sitting steady at 260 .
View attachment 503897
I was so impressed by the even temp and slow burn , I extended the snake and put a 13 pound packer on . Ran at 260 for 8 hours . Finished in the oven .
Snake had plenty of life left .

These are from other smokes .
Pulled the meat from this burn after 10 hours at 260 . Still going strong .
The beginning was stacked 2/1 about 75% of the snake . At the end I stack coals in more of a pile , to make up for any stall or evap cooling that may be going on .
View attachment 503899

Shorter cook setup . Something I do to start on all cooks . I light the snake and let it settle in .
I made that small chimney so I could light a small stack of coals to add when the meat goes on cold . Separate from the snake . The small stack makes up for the cold mass , and your not using up the snake to over come the temp drop .
That can take an hour or more out of your run time on the snake .
View attachment 503905

So this is my basic setup now after several long smokes on the 26 .
I always clean my 26 the day after a long smoke . You don't want stuff sitting on the bottom or getting stuck to the bottom . If you leave it dirty , the clean out vanes will not seal to the bottom , and it can make temps hard to control .
I always start clean , and keep it clean .
View attachment 503901
I've started smoking at higher temps , so this is a pretty heavy run of good charcoal . For me this runs around 300 choked down .
8 to 12 hours depending on conditions outside .
View attachment 503902
I then position the grate so the opening is at a point where I can easily add more fuel if needed . I usually keep lump charcoal around for that .
View attachment 503903
That's just how I do it after 7 brisket cooks , and all this is pretty much based on
an 11 to 13 pound packer brisket smoke . My basic use for the 26 is brisket and ribs .

Great info. You should make a sticky with this info I am sure it would be beneficial to a lot of members.

 

[chopsaw]

The time and temp you get will depend on some things as you know .
2 of the things to keep in mind , clean bowl so the vanes seal , and add a few fully lit coals when the meat goes on .

When I put mine together , I gently flexed the vanes downward . So when I dropped them in , the points touched the sides , and the pivot point was off the bottom a bit . When tightened down , it pulled it all up tight .
I keep 2 plastic scrapers and an 2 " paint brush with my smoking stuff . I scrape and brush it out after every smoke . My 22 doesn't get the same treatment . but I don't try the temp control on that one .

 

[Deeez]

HI All, can you explain what the 'Vane' is?

 

[chopsaw]

HI All, can you explain what the 'Vane' is?

On the clean out system . Also covers the vents in the bottom .

 

[fxsales1959]

I know this is older but would love o find a "Mini starter.

 

[chopsaw]

would love o find a "Mini starter.

I made that one , but they sell " half " size ones , or you can turn your large one upside down , and put the charcoal in the bottom . Use a torch or a starter cube . That works good too .

I think that one I made holds about 10 pieces .