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Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking. |
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10-11-2012, 09:21 PM | #1 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 04-05-09
Location: Perryville
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Charcoal Ring Question
I am going to use my Mini WSM for the first time tomorrow.
I do not have a charcoal ring and was wondering if it is necessary to cook baby back ribs? (4-5 hrs @ 225-250) I have a 18.5 WSM and that got me thinking. I always use the charcoal ring but never gave any thought to what it actually does. So - why is it needed and what does it do? |
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10-11-2012, 09:24 PM | #2 |
Quintessential Chatty Farker
Join Date: 04-28-12
Location: Wis-con-sin
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It allows for consistent airflow for even burning and better temp control. That said, you don't HAVE to use one, but they sure make things run alot more smoothly......
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Kettleheads Anonymous Charter Member |
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10-11-2012, 09:28 PM | #3 |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 04-05-09
Location: Perryville
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I have some extra charcoal baskets that came with an old Performer that I had.
Do you think if I take out the middle section of each one and push them together that would hold enough charcoal? |
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10-11-2012, 09:37 PM | #4 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 07-29-12
Location: Home of the 11 time World Series Champion Cardinals
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My 2 cents:
The charcoal basket I made (expanded steel) for my mini "Smoker Joe" is 3" tall and slightly smaller in diameter than the SJ charcoal grate. I believe the idea of the charcoal/ring is to keep the charcoal tighter/more compact. My first smoke in the Smoker Joe was 2 racks of spares. It took maybe 2 1/2 hours, and temps were steady at 250. As far as whether or not a charcoal ring is necessary, I think there are enough threads written by folks who do NOT use them to say that you'd be fine without it. I'm glad I have mine, but I think I'd be ok if I didn't have it, either. As someone with an old Stainless Steel Performer that does NOT have the old-style charcoal baskets, I hate to see them get put under the knife. But I'm sure that would work, if they're not too tall. If they are the old-style baskets, any interest in passing them on to a fellow brethren ?
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22.5 WSM (AU/BBK mutt), Red SS Performer (N-'91), Red 18.5 OTG (L-'89), SJS (ER-'96), WGA (A-'79) Last edited by Bob13; 10-11-2012 at 09:40 PM.. Reason: add |
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10-11-2012, 09:43 PM | #5 | |
On the road to being a farker
Join Date: 04-05-09
Location: Perryville
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Quote:
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10-11-2012, 09:49 PM | #6 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 07-29-12
Location: Home of the 11 time World Series Champion Cardinals
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Go for it! There is a thread in here somewhere with pron of someone doing something similar with the new-style baskets (couldn't find the thread on a very quick search).
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22.5 WSM (AU/BBK mutt), Red SS Performer (N-'91), Red 18.5 OTG (L-'89), SJS (ER-'96), WGA (A-'79) |
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Thanks from:---> |
10-11-2012, 10:09 PM | #7 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 08-08-12
Location: Castle Rock, CO
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I have cooked several racks of St. Louis spares in my smokey joe silver mini and have not had to use a charcoal ring or add any charcoal for up to 6 hours.....
If you can fab one of course it wouldn't hurt though but IMO its not needed.
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--Modified ECB---Mini WSM---22.5" Weber blue OTG---'69 18.5" Weber redhead----Mav ET-732 |
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10-12-2012, 08:09 AM | #8 |
is one Smokin' Farker
Join Date: 07-20-12
Location: Springfield, MO
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First smoke on my mini was without one and went fine. I now have a ring I made from a 10"x3" bottomless stainless cake pan.
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Smooth Smoke BBQ Team, KCBS CBJ, porch mounted Jambo. Last edited by Cayman1; 04-19-2015 at 06:07 PM.. |
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10-12-2012, 08:51 AM | #9 |
Babbling Farker
Join Date: 07-03-12
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
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I have done about 12 cooks on my mini all without a charcoal ring. I have had it as low as 215-225 for 8+ hrs and as high as 325-350 for 5-6hrs. Even without a charcoal basket they are very easy to keep holding temps as well as very efficient with fuel.
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~Ren~ Fat Kids Club Founding Member |
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10-12-2012, 11:13 AM | #10 |
Got Wood.
Join Date: 01-13-11
Location: NY
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I modified the new style baskets to fit. Works slick.
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Weber Performer, Red Kettle, WSM, Mini-WSM |
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Thanks from:---> |
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