To use or not use the water pan?

[jimdee]

I have a simple verticle charcoal smoker. Do I need the water pan for smoking butts or turkeys if I watch the heat closely? Is it ok to just let the juices drip in the charcoal/wood fire pan?  Thanks, Jim A.

 

[jirodriguez]

Use the water pan, it helps you maintain stable temps, and recover temps when you have to open up the smoker.

 

[jimdee]

Thanks for the reply. I should have called my smoker a bullet style- not verticle (still learning terminology).

 

[jirodriguez]

Thanks for the reply. I should have called my smoker a bullet style- not verticle (still learning terminology).

Same thing, only differance is one is round the other is square(ish). Both use the same basic concept of heat flow and what not.

 

[flash]

I agree without the pan you're basically grilling. Now you can leave the pan empty, or fill it partial or all the way with water depending on length of smoke. You can also use sand in the pan instead. Remember to foil the pan either way as it will make cleaning up, much easier.