Thermal Mass, does anyone do it?

[cruise master]

Being the newbie to smoking that I am, hope this question hasn't been beatin to death but,....

Just got a gas smoker as a gift, seasoned it yesterday, and thought before serving company I better make a test run. So here I am all ready to go.

While getting use to the temp setting on the smoker it occurred to me that this is a lot like a RV stove. You get temp spikes all the time, and it is hard to get a good level heat. The trick that us RV'ers do is go to the big box store and buy a 14 by 14 clay tile. We leave it in the oven to give it more thermal mass. Is this something that any of you fine gents do? Or is there a better way, or is it a non-issue?

BTW,

Here is the starts of my little test run for me and the DW (darling wife.) Wanted to go simple and give the meat a chance, so all I did was a mustard rub, then season salt, garlic power, and brown sugar. I'll get more fancy as time goes on.

Smokin' in MN

 

[solaryellow]

While you typically don't see thermal mass said directly, it is very much at the heart of what most of us do when we mod or build our smokers. You will see lots of tips and tricks here including fire bricks, lava rocks, RF plates, etc. Usually you will see it in conjunction with folks who are looking to reduce the drop in temp they see when they open the smoker for whatever reason.

Good luck on your smoke Cruise Master!

 

[cruise master]

Well I used water and balsamic vinegar in the foil wrap for the 2 part of 3-2-1 and here is the end results.

I was amazed at how good they came out for my first attempt. I would dare to say it was the best tasteing ham I ever had. DW use the word awesome a few times. Without a doubt there is room for improvement, but I am surprised at how well the ribs came out. I have no frears now of inviting others over for smoked ribs. The first test run was really a success. I did learn that my heat is really 20 degrees warmer then what the smoker says, and it is not all that easy to keep it at 225. Took a lot of playing around till I got the hang of it.

So much for smokin' in Northern MN, time to kick back and enjoy a setting sun over the lake. All in all, it was a very good day.

 

[s2k9k]

One of the most common mods to propane smokers is to put sand in the water pan instead of water. I have a GOSM and after switching to sand (and some other mods) I have gotten much more consistent temps. I can still use water if I want by placing a disposable foil pan right on top of the sand pan, I usually do this mainly just to catch drippings.