Water/beer pan for ribs?

[Timber II]

Gonna try my hand at some baby backs today boys.
Did my research here and found stuff from car wash mike and so feel my plan will go smoothly. Using a rub from Paul Kirks book minus a little salt.

Question though…should I use the water pan w juice or beer in it?
Thanks

 

[normanaj]

Depends on what type of smoker. I never use any liquid in the water pan in my MES and very rarely in WSM.

 

[JLinza]

I use a water pan a decent amount, even if it's a small amount of water. I don't use beer, cause pouring beer out makes me sad. Lol

 

[Timber II]

Ya I should have said - it’s a mes w PID
Thanks boys

 

[normanaj]

Ya I should have said - it’s a mes w PID
Thanks boys

Liquid in the MES will turn the inside into an absolute mess especially on longer smokes. They're so well insulated that the extra moisture just isn't necessary.

 

[sandyut]

No water pan used on anything at this house. Baby backs should be pretty easy. Rub Them, cook them at 250 till the IT is about 195-200. Should be about 6 hours. Sauce the the last 30 if you want, or after.

 

[gmc2003]

If you do wind up using a water pan. Then don't waste the beer or juice - just plain old water works fine. You won't notice any difference in taste coming from the type of liquid used in a water pan.

Chris

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

When I had my MES I tried water and apple juice in the pan. I stopped using it since there was no difference between the two (that I noticed) and the MES doesn’t really struggle with moisture inside.