Adding a water pan to an offset smoker

[Quid Pro Q]

I just picked up this offset and I'm thinking about adding a water pan. The firebox has an inside lip and it looks like a pan would sit perfectly in there. Like to get some thoughts on it.

thanks!

 

[Bludawg]

:crazy:WHY???? ya don't need it

 

[Quid Pro Q]

I've been cooking on a vertical water smoker for a while. I thought it may help. I guess my question would be, why don't I need it?

 

[Shagdog]

It's basically just inviting a rust accelerator. You don't need the moisture for your BBQ, and usually what purpose a water pan serves is as a heat sink, helping regulate your temperatures. Since water boils at 212, it will essentially drag your temps down and cost you more fuel. It's just not worth the effort. Don't sweat having some temp swings in an offset. It happens. The water pan just isn't needed.

 

[toymaster]

I have a Backwoods Party and a stick burner. In the Backwoods, the water pan is a heat sink to maintain the temp inside the cooking chamber. The water will stay at 212F keeping the temp in the cooking chamber stable. Once all the water is gone, the temp goes up. I've slipped up a few times and didn't catch it in time (alcohol may have been involved) and the temp inside reached above 400:doh:. I have put 3 water pans in my stick burner and it didn't make any difference in the final product. The water pan in the stick burner didn't serve the same purpose. Some say it provides a moister cooking environment. I didn't find that to be true. If it were true, my brisket should have come out a lot moister with the water pan than without it. The only thing it affected was my bark. I'm sure someone here can explain this better than me. Just my .02

 

[SmittyJonz]

I run water pans in most of mine- to even out and control temps- some call it a crutch - I don't give a chit. Try with and without and see what works for you.

 

[BBQ Freak]

I have never had a need for a water pan and do not find it necessary in my smoker .

 

[Bigr314]

I have never used one. I see no need for one in my cooker. Temps are just fine.