Bandera Water Pan ?

volare · May 25, 2008

Ok, new guy here. I rescued a neglected Bandera from my Brother-in-Laws second garage and am now putting it to the use that God intended. I've previously used horizontal smokers to good effect, but I've had to do some reading on this vertical Bandera. Luckily I found this site and the wealth of info that it offers including the Bandera 101 doc. The one question I couldn't find an answer to is: What is with this water pan?

Is it necessary to use? Only for certain types of smokes? How full do you fill it? Do you clean it out every time like a regular pan? Or is it just there to catch the drippings? I gather it serves some use in regulating temp too by letting off steam if the temps get up high enough? You feedback is appreciated!

I did a chicken the other night, and tonight is ribs. The photos on here are making me very hungry...

Monty · May 25, 2008

volare said:
tonight is ribs.

make sure you post some pron bro!

Bigdog · May 25, 2008

It's a water pan, put water in it. Ya, I know that some guys use sand etc. but I am old school and use it as intended. I use it for all cooking. Its main use is for a heat sink to keep temps stable. Once again, there is some disagreement here too. I fill it full of hot water each time and clean it as well. Lining it with foil aids in cleaning. Hope this helps. MMV

GridironGriller · May 25, 2008

Bigdog said:
It's a water pan, put water in it. Ya, I know that some guys use sand etc. but I am old school and use it as intended. I use it for all cooking. Its main use is for a heat sink to keep temps stable. Once again, there is some disagreement here too. I fill it full of hot water each time and clean it as well. Lining it with foil aids in cleaning. Hope this helps. MMV

I manage to forget to foil every single time! :lol:

LMAJ · May 25, 2008

Bigdog said:
It's a water pan, put water in it. Ya, I know that some guys use sand etc. but I am old school and use it as intended. I use it for all cooking. Its main use is for a heat sink to keep temps stable. Once again, there is some disagreement here too. I fill it full of hot water each time and clean it as well. Lining it with foil aids in cleaning. Hope this helps. MMV

^^^^^What he said. Foil is your friend.

volare · May 25, 2008

Monty said:
make sure you post some pron bro!

Ooops. Yeah, those were devoured too quickly to take any photos. But not to worry- today was merely a practice session- tomorrow is the main event- chicken and ribs at the same time. I have more time to do it too- so I can try the 3-2-1 thing. (Didn't have time for that today, but it was still excellent.)

volare · May 25, 2008

LMAJ said:
^^^^^What he said. Foil is your friend.

Do you mean foil inside and out to keep the smoke off of it?

Norcoredneck · May 26, 2008

I have lined it which works ok but still a little messy. I have made a dish over top of water so drippings go on that and wrap and toss when done.

Hook_Line_and_Sinker · May 26, 2008

Question? it it merely a heat sink ( device to dampen the effects of rapid heating and cooling ) couldn't a few fire bricks on a rack , or a thick steel plate perform the same function

and foil or a sheet of stainless over it in the "drop zone" make for for a cleaner mod ?

Bandera Water Pan ?

volare

Well-known member

Monty

Take a breath!

Bigdog

somebody shut me the fark up.

GridironGriller

Full Fledged Farker

LMAJ

somebody shut me the fark up.

volare

Well-known member

volare

Well-known member

Norcoredneck

somebody shut me the fark up.

Hook_Line_and_Sinker

is Blowin Smoke!

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