newbie question about 16 hours smoking time

sammysound said:

 
hi all 

so here it is my first official post (not including the introduction one)

hoping to get a 18 or 22 WSM, and reading a lot of great stuff, the only thing i'm wondering is, when you smoke a butt for 16 hours, what does everyone do in that time, is it safe to walk away? sleep?

also, we have a lot of raccoons in our area , is this a cause for concern if i leave it

thanks in advance

sam

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You're ok, smoked coons are great with sweet taters!

Sorry couldn't help myself.

I've never cooked on a wsm but when I have a long cook I do try to take a nap after I throw on a split or two. I know in my big RF I can go about an hour between having to refuel. From all the posts I've read on here those wsm's are pretty good at holding a steady temp so I would imagine almost set and forget for a couple hours at least. I'm sure someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong. Also foamheart is right coon is pretty good so don't worry about that. Never had it smoked tho so might have to try it soon. But everything is better smoked!

I have not owned a WSM but there are lots of guys that talk about it being set and forget with the right fuel and arrangement. You can always get a Maverick, 732/733 with Remote monitor and high low temp alarms. That will wake you if the WSM gets off track. Additionally if you plan to foil at the stall there is no reason not to finish the cook in the Oven, then you can sleep all you wish...JJ

Well, a long smoke takes a buddy or two to discuss things , a fridge full of refreshments and nibbling food , a Radio to play all the good Music from the 70's and 80's ,a pellet gun for those pesky 'coons.

You can leave long enough to use the facilities and watch about 5min. of a program and back to your Homeys . .

My 22.5" WSM would run for 6-8 hours steady before I needed to stir or shake up the coals a little bit to knock the ash off. This put things back on track. I was able to double the "hands off time" by adding a BBQ guru Nano Q temp controller. Now I can go all day or all night without even checking the smoker although I do take a look when I happen to walk by it but I never need to do anything. Most of my smoking is done as I sleep now.......it's much more convenient and the Q is always ready when it's needed the next day.

Without the Guru I would set the vents as follows after I got the smoker up to temp...Top vent all the way open (always), 2 of the bottom vents closed all the way and 1 open about half way. I often slept through a smoke without the Guru too....the WSM is just that good.