WSM questions

[worm304]

I've been rocking my WSM for about 5 months. I feel like I have it dialed in and am producing really good product. Great purchase! My questions are.

1. How do you handle shorter smokes? Do you always load full and save whats usable after? Do you go shallower? I always go minion and was wondering if half a load would still work as far as temp control with my guru. I was also thinking maybe getting a 14 inch ring for my 18.5 to use for shorter smokes .

2. In regards to what you save charcoal wise after a smoke, what size are you saving? Anything less than half the size of an unused briquet?

Thanks for any and all input!!!

 

[jp61]

My shortest smokes are around 6 hours. I think it's better to have too much than not enough charcoal. Like you said when done shut her down and reuse what's worth saving. I stock up on charcoal when they go on sale, two bags for the price of one so I'm not all that concerned about how much I use. I wouldn't buy a smaller ring, just put less in the one you have. For short smokes I use my grill.

 

[motocrash]

I've got the baby of the bunch and do what jp61 said above.The baby is a charcoal miser,I've only used just over 100#s since last August - Royal Oak.

 

[dward51]

Charcoal is cheap. If the 18.5" WSM is rocking it for you, don't change anything. You are going to gamble with more money in food that the charcoal you are thinking about saving.

You can try shutting all the vents to choke the fire out. But use fresh charcoals in the chimney to start it next time. I've never had a problem using the leftover charcoal, but you do end up with some smaller bits.

I usually just have some sausage links or something else that does not take long to cook and put them on the WSM after the main cook to take advantage of the still hot pit and leftover charcoal. Smoke 'em and fridge them for later.

 

[chopsaw]

You ask about saving charcoal ,, whatever don't fall thru . Keep the ash cleaned out , just leave the un-burned stuff in the smoker .

 

[Smoke23]

1. I have the 22.5” WSM and I had a guy at work make me a smaller charcoal ring, I believe it’s the size that’s in the 18” WSM. Expanded metal from a hardware store would work as well. You could also stand up a fire brick or two to take up space in the charcoal ring.

I also have stainless steel expanded metal on top of my charcoal grate. You could also get another charcoal grate and lay it the opposite way, smaller holes mean smaller pieces of charcoal that go through the grate.

2. If it’s on my charcoal grate, it gets used.

Now, not one of my modifications cost me any money.

As stated above, it’s better to have more charcoal in your smoker than not enough.

Usually Lowe’s and Home Depot has Kingsford Blue Bags (regular Kingsford) on sale Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day, usually 1/2 off. There might be a couple more sales but I can’t remember. Some of the sales are for a week, some are a few days or so. Lowe’s usually limits you to 2 twin packs (4 bags) 18.6 lb. bags. Home Depot does not. Stock up when you can.

 

[gmc2003]

I have the WSM 22 and I always choke it down when I'm finished. With the unburnt coals I'll either use them in my kettle or spread them on the top of the unlit in the WSM on my next cook. I also use the unlit to burn off my grates when I forget to do them after a cook.

Chris.

 

[worm304]

Thanks guys!! I have been changing the size of the fuel based on the length of the smoke but not extreme enough to run out of fuel. I also tend to use my MES if I'm doing a pork loin or chicken that doesn't take too long for the convenience aspect. The last brisket I did was 14 hours and the WSM held 235 from start to finish. It sure is amazing. I'll probably keep doing what I am doing and save any of what's left that looks worth it. I am a stickler for a clean smoker. Some how I find cleaning part of the fun. Thanks for the info on sale dates. I will definitely stock up come memorial day.

 

[motocrash]

Pre Independence Day is another time to watch the ads for charcoal.In the past years that's when I've got the best deals.

 

[noboundaries]

Let's say I have practically empty 22.5" WSM charcoal basket after a long smoke of 18-20+ hours. Anything that won't fall through the grate after I knock off the ash stays in the smoker. I empty the ash bowl, add a layer of charcoal and wood, then repeat until the basket is over full by about 2-3 inches. I make a dimple in the center of the pile and that's where I'll add 6-10 hot RO Ridge briquettes when I start my next smoke.

My average smoke is just shy of 7 hours (6.89 to be exact according to my spreadsheet). Shortest 2 hours, longest 22. For shorter smokes I knock off the ash, look at the wood situation, then make a new dimple and add some wood if needed, just using what is in the smoker.

When I need to clean out the ash bowl, I put two 4x8" bricks on the ground, then lift the used-charcoal loaded grate straight up out of the smoker with my fingers stuck in the two spaces where the round edge of the grate and the straight bars leave about a 3/4" space. I put it on the two bricks for support, empty the ash bowl, then lift it and put it back. Takes less than a minute. I'll clean out the ash bowl about every 14-15 hours of use, or 2-3 uses if they've all been shorter smokes.

Used charcoal; just as useful as new.