What happened??(Rookie Smoker)

[Kolar2015]

Not knowing how to transfer photo from phone, I will best describe my question.... I'm smoking some pork butts, had water and apple juice in pan and it turned into dense foam like substance...
Edited... Mes 30", temp 275, non injected

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

What type of smoker are you using?

Just off the top of my head and without any additional information like smoker temp, injected PBs vs non injected, "factory" injected with sodium phosphate solution, etc, etc. The foaming could be caused by the proteins from the meat reacting with the water and apple juice in your water pan.

For reference, using apple juice, beer, or what have you in the water pan is just a waste as it does nothing for flavoring the meat. You would be better off spritzing the PB instead if flavoring is your goal.

 

[WaterRat]

I'm guessing evaporation of most of the liquid followed by carmalization and bubbling of sugar and rub.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

I'm guessing evaporation of most of the liquid followed by carmalization and bubbling of sugar and rub.

You could be right in that respect. But I would tend to think that the fat drippings would tamp that down.

Without pics, it is hard to pin point it.

Anywho, I wonder how the PBs turned out.

 

[pineywoods]

As was said more than likely a combination of meat rendering fat dripping into the water along with some of the rub all mixing with the water and juice combo already in the water pan.
Also as was said adding anything other than water to the pan is pretty much a waste

 

[Kolar2015]

PB's turn out good, wrapped at 160° pulled at 205°‐210°.

 

[Braz]

The water pan in the MES is completely unnecessary. Best to fill it with sand and cover it with foil and turn it into a heat sink.

 

[Kolar2015]

^^^^^^why is this, don't you need moisture?

 

[chef jimmyj]

No additional moisture needed. The MES is so tight that moisture from the meat is trapped. In cold weather, you may see the moisture condense and run out the bottom of the door. Sand, Bricks, Etc hold heat so recovery time is faster if you chose to spritz. Although That is not necessary either...JJ