Water or no water?

[moses]

I have always thought that putting water in the water pan provides moisture causing your meat to be juicier and less dry. Reading a few post here and there I might be wrong. What does the majority do, water or no water?

 

[davidhef88]

Sand.

 

[av8tor]

I did a first time cook on my WSM with no water and it turned out great. I have been reading up on Harry Woo from the Pitmasters and he like Myron is a higher temp cooked (275º) and uses no water in his WSM's so I gave it a try.
These were my first ribs on my new WSM by the way.

slice.jpg

• av8tor
• Jul 28, 2013

 

[millerk0486]

I have heard both opinions on the matter. I have always used water in my WSM. I think it also helps in maintaining the lower temps in my smoker too.

 

[moses]

I have always used water in fear that my meat would dry out. I'll give no water a try next time or should I do no water and add sand?

 

[boykjo]

I did a first time cook on my WSM with no water and it turned out great. I have been reading up on Harry Woo from the Pitmasters and he like Myron is a higher temp cooked (275º) and uses no water in his WSM's so I gave it a try.
These were my first ribs on my new WSM by the way.

slice.jpg

• av8tor
• Jul 28, 2013

reaching.jpg

• boykjo
• Jul 28, 2013

 

[glocksrock]

I never use water in my MES 40 as I use a amazen pellet smoker, and the use of water in the water pan is not recommended, and I've had great results from everything I've cooked. I don't think it makes much difference in the quality of food, but using water does help your temps recover faster.

 

[s2k9k]

I have adopted Eric's "wet to dry chamber" method and have produced some of the best Q I ever did with this method so it's water and no water for me!

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/wet-to-dry-no-foil-smoke-chamber-method-for-smoking-meats

 

[hambone1950]

I have always used water in fear that my meat would dry out. I'll give no water a try next time or should I do no water and add sand?

The water acts as a heat sink. In other words it absorbs some of the energy from the fire and keeps the smoker from getting too hot. There's a lot of debate over whether or not the evaporated water moistens the meat. Personally , I don't think it does. I use a foil wrapped brick in my water pan (in my weber smoky mountain cooker) as a heat sink and this moderates the temp in the smoker and my meat still comes out nice and moist. But you do need the heat sink , so if you minus the water you gotta add the sand or brick or some kind of material to fill that need. Good luck.