Gonna Do It...

[Papa Hogg]

I am going to fill the water pan in my BWS this weekend with sand. I will then use foil over the sand for easy clean up. I want to see if I can control the temps as easily as I can when using water & see if I notice any difference in quality of "Q".

Has anyone who uses a BWS, SpiceWine or any similar smoker tried doing this? If so any thoughts, tips or comments are always appreciated.

 

[HB-BBQ]

I havent tried it yet but was going to do so in my Patio of course that was before the Party arrived. What kind of sand do you need to use or will any type work?

 

[KC_Bobby]

Let me know how it works. I've considered doing the same.

But instead of filling with sand, I think leaving about an inch empty for a place for the grease to go. But if you don't have the Party loaded, I guess one could put a decent size foil pan on the bottom rack to catch most of the grease too.

As far as what type of sand. I've heard to use sterlized sand and I've also heard that Quikcret (however it's spelled) sand is fine. My advise would be not to go into your neighbors kids sandbox to get it. Go get a new bag from the hardware store.

 

[Papa Hogg]

I'm going to use a new bag of play sand & I am only going to fill the pan about 1/2 - 2/3 full, then when I cook I'm going to put foil over the pan & push it down to almost sand level to catch the drippings, that way the sand stays clean & I do not need to replace it and once the unit has cooled I can easily remove the foil...I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[WineMaster]

Let me know how it works. I've considered doing the same.

But instead of filling with sand, I think leaving about an inch empty for a place for the grease to go. But if you don't have the Party loaded, I guess one could put a decent size foil pan on the bottom rack to catch most of the grease too.

As far as what type of sand. I've heard to use sterlized sand and I've also heard that Quikcret (however it's spelled) sand is fine. My advise would be not to go into your neighbors kids sandbox to get it. Go get a new bag from the hardware store.

Or you could just put all the meat in foil pans?

Ive been thinking about doing the sand thing too.

What type of temp differences do you guys get top to bottum?

I have heard that sandbox sand from Toys R Us is great

 

[Papa Hogg]

Or you could just put all the meat in foil pans?

Ive been thinking about doing the sand thing too.

What type of temp differences do you guys get top to bottum?

I have heard that sandbox sand from Toys R Us is great

But if you put the meat in pans you won't get the built-in basting, although they would get to sit in their own juices.

I've never really measured the temp differences from top to bottom.

I use the play sand from Home Depot in my horseshoe pits & it is really nice & about 1/2 the price of Toys R Us.

 

[HB-BBQ]

I'm going to use a new bag of play sand & I am only going to fill the pan about 1/2 - 2/3 full, then when I cook I'm going to put foil over the pan & push it down to almost sand level to catch the drippings, that way the sand stays clean & I do not need to replace it and once the unit has cooled I can easily remove the foil...I'll let you know how it goes.

I am real interested to see how this goes for you.

 

[KC_Bobby]

When I get the Tel-Tru at 235, the Party runs about 30* on the lower shelf (215*) compared to the top (245*) when she's loaded down with 3-4 full shelves. Just under 20* when I'm only smoking a few things. But I cook on the 2nd and 3rd racks if that's all I need, so the temp is close.

It's rare that I don't cook a butt with about all my cooks, so I put that one the highest rack I'm using so it can drip on whatever is below.

 

[Papa Hogg]

Got the sand...& 3 neighbors have asked me to cook briskets & chuckies for them this weekend. I let them know that I am experimenting with my smoker & they still want me to cook for them.

So it should be a good test, I'll have 4 brisket flats about 8 lbs. each, 4 chuckie, a couple of fatties, some beef short ribs & I might throw on some chix thighs or some spares.

I'll let you know how it goes...if this works well it will be nice to not have to deal with water at the upcoming comps I'm in...

 

[KC_Bobby]

I'm pulling for ya Papa Hogg.

If it doesn't work ... I can go into detail of how I added the manual water feed down my exhaust - at least it keeps one from opening the door more than needed.

 

[HB-BBQ]

I'm pulling for ya Papa Hogg.

If it doesn't work ... I can go into detail of how I added the manual water feed down my exhaust - at least it keeps one from opening the door more than needed.

I hope all goes well myself Papa. It sounds like the Party will be nice and full. :-D

KC, I am interested to hear about that feed you came up with down the line.

 

[KC_Bobby]

HB, go look at my pictures in the thread I have it listed for sale - the pics pretty much show the general idea.

 

[KC_Bobby]

Changing topics slightly, but still 100% to do with the BWS Party. How many butts can I fit in for one cook?

Thanks and I'll listen to your responses off the air.

 

[Brauma]

I'm going to use a new bag of play sand.

Ah come on and live on the edge Papa. :shock: Get a shovel full of the sand that the cat has pissed in 28 times. :lol: :lol: You'll get that unique flavor that no one will be able to place.

Just kidding. I love these sand in the water pan discussions. It gets lively sometimes.

My thought is that as long as you have a thermal mass inside your cooking chamber to off-set your opening of the door and letting in cooler air, its all good. The thermal mass makes it easier to get your cooking temp back up to speed.

Me, I have fire bricks lining the bottom of my chamber and water in my pan. I believe that the original pit makers who came up with the idea of a water pan knew what they were doing and Im sure they smoked a whole lot more than I do. Only when I smoke garlic do I notput water in the pan.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Markbb]

Sand

Don't think I'd want to put sand in my Spicewine:shock:

 

[Papa Hogg]

I started another thread with the results called the results of using sand in my BWS...I'll give it a bump.