What to put in the water bowl....

[fatback joe]

Over the sand

 

[desert smokin]

Foil under. the sand collects everything that drips down. Dump foil and sand and start over. Not a lot of work or mess.

 

[fatback joe]

I don't understand...what is the sand collecting if it is covered in foil? Help me please.

Thanks,

 

[squeezy]

Hope we can come to some consensus on this .... over vs. under!

 

[bonniesboytoy]

Used sand in the old days in the bottom of BBQ and cut charcoal used in half..!!

 

[johnd49455]

I have seen a lot of past posts on here about the different things added to the water pan & usually ends up in a big discussion & most of what I read is similar. It may smell better while smoking but flavor change to the meat is minimal if nonexistent

 

[placebo]

As I understand it they put the foil in the pan first then put the sand on top of that and the drippings collect in the sand which you simply toss afterwords.

Did that make any sense?

 

[bbq bubba]

You are correct!!

 

[placebo]

Well whattaya know, even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in awhile!

Thanks Bubba!

 

[squeezy]

If that is the case ... then I'll stay with water as it is easier to obtain and dispose of!

 

[squeezy]

I most certainly agree!

 

[fatback joe]

Yeah, I get that........I just don't get how that is easier, better, or whatever then foil on top

..........then you just pitch the foil and keep the sand............That is the world of Q ing for ya!!! Sure ain't going to lose any sleep over it, but trying to wrap my brain around it.

Thanks for the help

 

[fatback joe]

Consensus in the world of smoking/BBQing...........I suppose that is possible in theory. LOL

 

[squeezy]

So ... how much sand ? (depth)

Where do you dump it?

What would be wrong with collecting drippings in the foil on top, then just discarding it?

 

[fatback joe]

Well, the conversation here led me to look around and try to find what was the most prevelant way if there was one.........I went to the virtual weber bullet and it says to put foil both ways. LOL Their explanation makes sense. Here is it FWIW.

http://www.virtualweberbullet.com/waterpanusage.html

Using Sand In The Pan
[font=Verdana,Helvetica,Arial]Fans of sand say it offers some of the temperature control benefits of water, while eliminating the need to refill the pan or deal with messy cleanup afterward.[/font]

[font=Verdana,Helvetica,Arial]Line the pan with a layer of wide, heavy-duty aluminum foil, then fill 3/4 full with clean, dry playground sand (Picture 1). Smooth the sand, then cover with two layers of wide, heavy-duty aluminum foil (Picture 2).[/font]
[font=Verdana,Helvetica,Arial]Discard and replace the top layer of foil after each cook. The sand can be used again and again, as long as the drippings do not penetrate the second layer of foil.[/font]

[font=Verdana,Helvetica,Arial]Why line the pan with foil before adding the sand? Because the sand turns as hard as concrete after several uses and is almost impossible to remove without that layer of foil.[/font]

[font=Verdana,Helvetica,Arial]Be aware that sand has the same issue of radiated heat as mentioned above for an empty pan. However, it takes a few hours for the radiation effect to build-up as the sand heats.[/font]

 

[bbq bubba]

Nice post Joe, answer's everybody's question's

 

[placebo]

Thanks Joe, you just earned a rep point for that!

 

[fatback joe]

Thank you, Sir. Of course, it is just the opinion of the guy running the site......doesn't mean he is right. LMAO

 

[squeezy]

Thanks Joe .... answered all my questions and then some!

 

[virgo53]

Thanks Joe,
rep point added!!
Mike