Water Tray vs. Spritz

[texomakid]

I remember the original smoke-n-grill "bullet" and dad would put Pepsi in the water pan most of his briskets he smoked. He always had some type of liquid in the water pan. This was back in the 70's. I have no idea who told him to do Pepsi but he sure believed it made a better smoked brisket (they were tasty!)

I haven't ever used water in my pellet cooker nor my WSM 22 but that doesn't mean I won't try it at some point. I used a water pan in the old offset I had but it also acted as a baffle or deflector to help distribute the heat more evenly. I also rarely spritz and what I've noticed in the pellet cooker is during the cook the meat gets a dry look but once the meat reaches it's final temp (ribs & brisket) it changes to a really nice color and goes from a dry look to a nice moist color. It's almost like I have to cook through the dry look if that makes sense? Please, don't take anything I say for gospel. I'm still trying to figure all this out.

I do agree that spritzing and/or moisture seems to help with a bit more smoke flavor.

 

[Torch&Tone]

Water in the pan for thermal inertia (helps even out the temperature spikes/dips), containing drips, and as a heat shield. Spritz to add extra flavor: more of the smoke and also whatever liquid I am spritzing with. I don't think either one has much of a direct effect on moisture level of the meat.

Spritzing might prolong the stall more than the pan? Until the spritz dries, the surface of the meat won't, so if I go that route, it's usually when I plan on wrapping the meat anyway, and using a spritz with booze in it (rum/whiskey and cider or ACV is common); the alcohol is more volatile and faster to evaporate. Then again, the longer stall might just be a result of me opening the lid.

 

[thirdeye]

The water is not so much for adding moisture but for regulating the temperature. That is why adding hot water helps when starting up the smoker.

And when using a charcoal or wood fire, you don't use up precious BTUs warming up the water.

 

[Its_Raw]

I am definitely preheating the water next time. I want to at least get a test fire going this weekend. I will start with the water pan in a couple locations then maybe see what the temps do when I remove the pan.