Is Minion the only method for the WSM?

Fmacdonell · 12-15-2012, 09:10 PM

Need advice to get a long burn for a brisket. Seems like lump charcoal burn 2 hours and then looses its mo. Your comments please!

TonyT · 12-15-2012, 09:15 PM

I'd definitely do minion for a brisket. Load the ring full of unlit. Light about half a chimey or so and you should be set.

Harbormaster · 12-15-2012, 09:16 PM

Minion is not the only way, but it is by far the best, IMO.

If you're using the Minion with lump, you need to take some time to make sure the lump is packed in as tight as you can get it. I pile the outside high, leave the middle low and dump in almost a full chimney of lit.

I've switched from lump to Royal Oak Chef's Select. Smells like lump, but Ithink I get a more consistent burn.

2 hours is pretty short. How hot are you running the WSM and are you sure your thermos are accurate?

Edit: 18.5 or 22.5?

Smoking Westy · 12-15-2012, 09:35 PM

I've got a 22.5" WSM and for a long cook I usually load up the charcoal ring and then light 10 briquettes. Once they are going I scatter them on the charcoal ring. I can easily get 10-12 hours running 240-260 degrees.

Bludawg · 12-15-2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoking Westy

I've got a 22.5" WSM and for a long cook I usually load up the charcoal ring and then light 10 briquettes. Once they are going I scatter them on the charcoal ring. I can easily get 10-12 hours running 240-260 degrees.

I roll the same way on my UDS at 230-250 I get about 16 hrs at 300I get 7 on RO lump Basket is 18X6

qnbiker · 12-15-2012, 10:43 PM

Minion with 10-15 lit coals on top will burn 14-16 hours at 250 in my WSM. I stopped using lump because I get a longer and more consistent burn with briquettes.

BobM · 12-16-2012, 02:58 AM

I load my WSM charcoal ring to the top, with wood chunks mixed in.
I light it in 3 places with a high output propane torch.
I get long burn times with this method.

Bob

ccarter · 12-16-2012, 04:07 AM

Basic "minion method" has never failed me on the WSM, and reloading has never been a concern on anything shorter than 5-6 hours.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bluebird · 12-16-2012, 05:14 AM

I always use the minion method.

jacksedona · 12-16-2012, 05:36 AM

in my opinion minion is the best way to go,i use lump coal,it brecomes more important especially ifyou live in a cold and windy location.

http://thebarbecuemaster.net

TomB · 12-16-2012, 07:02 AM

Minion here, as well. But with a mix of K Blue and lump. I use a coffee can with the bottom cut out to create the space to drop the lit coals then pack tight around it.

que_dawg · 12-16-2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB

Minion here, as well. But with a mix of K Blue and lump. I use a coffee can with the bottom cut out to create the space to drop the lit coals then pack tight around it.

x2, I have had good luck with both, but the coffee can is my preference.

ccarter · 12-16-2012, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksedona

in my opinion minion is the best way to go,i use lump coal,it brecomes more important especially ifyou live in a cold and windy location.

http://thebarbecuemaster.net

Lump also become essential for long cooks. Anything over about 10 hours using KBB will begin to fill the bottom up with ash.

12-15-2012, 09:10 PM	#1
Fmacdonell Got rid of the matchlight. Join Date: 12-02-12 Location: Detroit, Michigan Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Is Minion the only method for the WSM? Need advice to get a long burn for a brisket. Seems like lump charcoal burn 2 hours and then looses its mo. Your comments please!

12-15-2012, 09:16 PM	#3
Harbormaster Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-14-06 Location: Wyocena, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Minion is not the only way, but it is by far the best, IMO. If you're using the Minion with lump, you need to take some time to make sure the lump is packed in as tight as you can get it. I pile the outside high, leave the middle low and dump in almost a full chimney of lit. I've switched from lump to Royal Oak Chef's Select. Smells like lump, but Ithink I get a more consistent burn. 2 hours is pretty short. How hot are you running the WSM and are you sure your thermos are accurate? Edit: 18.5 or 22.5? __________________ Clark My Boys: Joseph (EI); Andrew (EE); Daniel (EE) My Toys: 10 WSMs (B, C, DH, DA, EZ, DZ, EO, DU, DR, EE/DU mutt); Brinkman Cimmaron; Chuckwagon Cooker; 22.5" OTG (DT); Two 22.5" Bar-B-Kettles; One 18.5" Bar-B-Kettle; Smokey Joes (A, K); Genesis Silver C (DU); 3 WGAs (EZ, DE, N); 3 SJPs (DT, DU, DR). "For when democracy becomes tyranny, those of us with rifles still get to vote"

12-15-2012, 09:35 PM	#4
Smoking Westy Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-10-12 Location: Bloomington, IL Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've got a 22.5" WSM and for a long cook I usually load up the charcoal ring and then light 10 briquettes. Once they are going I scatter them on the charcoal ring. I can easily get 10-12 hours running 240-260 degrees. __________________ WSM 22.5", One-Touch 22.5", Redhead 18.5" Smoke Joe Silver, Q200, "Mr. T"

12-15-2012, 10:43 PM	#6
qnbiker Take a breath! Join Date: 05-05-10 Location: Marietta, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Minion with 10-15 lit coals on top will burn 14-16 hours at 250 in my WSM. I stopped using lump because I get a longer and more consistent burn with briquettes. __________________ A bunch of Webers

12-16-2012, 02:58 AM	#7
BobM is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 02-16-12 Location: Long Island, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I load my WSM charcoal ring to the top, with wood chunks mixed in. I light it in 3 places with a high output propane torch. I get long burn times with this method. Bob __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin \| Weber 18 1/2" & 22 1/2" WSM, 22 1/2" & 26 3/4" OTG, Genesis S-330 \| \| BBQ Guru CyberQ WiFi \| Maverick ET-732 \|

12-15-2012, 09:15 PM	#2
TonyT On the road to being a farker Join Date: 04-08-12 Location: San Jose California Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'd definitely do minion for a brisket. Load the ring full of unlit. Light about half a chimey or so and you should be set.

12-16-2012, 04:07 AM	#8
ccarter Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-05-12 Location: Acworth, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Basic "minion method" has never failed me on the WSM, and reloading has never been a concern on anything shorter than 5-6 hours. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 18.5" WSM, Large BGE, Backwoods Party Blue BBQGuru DigiQ DX2

12-16-2012, 05:14 AM	#9
Bluebird Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-11-12 Location: Floyd Va Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I always use the minion method. __________________ Weber 18.5"OTS, Weber SS Performer, 18.5" WSM, Chargriller Akorn & Weber Genesis.

12-16-2012, 05:36 AM	#10
jacksedona Take a breath! Join Date: 03-11-12 Location: phoenix,arizona Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	in my opinion minion is the best way to go,i use lump coal,it brecomes more important especially ifyou live in a cold and windy location. http://thebarbecuemaster.net __________________ alan weber smoker,one touch,go anywhere,masterbuilt

12-16-2012, 07:02 AM	#11
TomB Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-07-10 Location: Des Moines, IA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Minion here, as well. But with a mix of K Blue and lump. I use a coffee can with the bottom cut out to create the space to drop the lit coals then pack tight around it. __________________ Tom Red Nose BBQ WSM 22.5" x 2 Weber Smokey Joe Weber Mini-WSM Weber Genesis gas grill Smokey Mountain gas smoker